Date: 2013-07-05
From: Leigh gap

To: wind gap
Miles today: 20.3

7.5.13 day 96 FridayLeigh gap - wind gap20.3 - 10 hoursGot a hitch from Dan from Palmerton, a veteran originally from here, talks with heavy PA accent including "yinz" alot, was stationed in Boston, served on the USS Boston many years ago, could be retired but continues to wake early & work even after July 4. The famous climb out of Leigh gap, incline of stacked rocks all shapes & sizes, hand over hand climbing, steep at times, great view of gap below can see the road, bridge, rail road tracks and river, not much use for poles while on these rocks, moving on all fours sometimes. no trees in the climb due to zinc smelting deforestation so blazes are on rocks, need to pay attention or can easily stray off trail. One spot of vertical climb about 9 feet up. Need to secure good foot grips else legs can slip into gaps between large rocks. Early morning so we are in shade luckily. If here noon or after, sunscreen & sun hat a must, especially for my ginger friends. Takes 45 minutes to get to ridgeline. My first thought is it was not as difficult as anticipated. Not easy by any means, but after hearing all the talk in the shelters & hostel, you begin to buy into the hype, much of which is exaggerated. Definitely a view and climb to remember. Wish i would have slowed & stopped more frequently along the way to take more photos. Really unique terrain up to this point, haven't seen all rocks at this steep of an angle for this long of a duration. At top many mosquitoes, through trees to reroute intersection, right is original path which is rock fields, new route to left is smooth dirt hills with views of Palmerton below to left, further along is mining processing plant which is over a mile long, we see the industrial field and piles of processed rocks from above. On the trail, the reroute ends, we are now standing in field of small rocks & dead trees from mining, needs restoration. We get to Little gap, trail magic!! It is Houdini class of 2012 with handmade burgers, hot dogs, beer & soda. Local guy, decided to do it here since last year not much trail magic in this state. Mash, Speed, Bear Foot, Pl, RR, Rail Splitter here also playing carnival games with Houdini's kids. Nice reward after a tough morning climb. All the drinks were especially nice as we all sweated a bunch out already, looks like it'll get worse throughout the afternoon. Great refreshment and also fuel for rest of day. Thank you Houdini!!! Continue hot humid, frustrating terrain, very many pointed rocks on trail, painful on feet & slow. Many mosquitos & eye flies. At dirt road crossing is Mellow Johnny shirtless napping in shade, waiting for hot sun to pass. I push on in front of group, which makes me mine sweeper aka snake bait. Frontrunner needs to look out for rattlesnakes & copperhead on trail & vipers hanging from trees to warn others. Of course come upon rattlesnake on trail, i go into ferns around snake. RR flies up i yell stop! Startled him he sees snake in time, takes photo leaves paper note on trail beware rattlesnake for group 5 minutes behind. Arrive shelter Waffles & Mayor heading out. We fill water for last push. Past the power line clearing and finally down to Wind gap, hitch form Krysta, local girl with newborn Braelin backseat, going opposite direction still stopped to hitch us so we wouldn't have to stand in sun heat. As we said our goodbyes, we see she turned left back onto the road towards the gap. Gracias!!