Date: 2019-07-11
From: Wildcat Shelter 

To: Tuxedo Motel
Miles today: 9.9

After a very restful night it was off to reach the trailhead on NY 17 in Southfield/Harriman, NY at 6:45am. The motel guy I talked to last night asked when I might arrive. When I said the very earliest would be noon. Upon which, in his very Noo Yoork accent said ¢no, no, you can¢t do that. There¢s no way I can have a room ready before 3.¢. To which I responded that if I got there early I could just hang out and wait. And with a grunt, he acknowledged and we hung up. Little did I know at the time what adventures this day would hold! The day started with a mile or so of easyish trail. And then the fun began. Actually it was¢¦but today held the pleasure (a cuss word should precede, pleasure) of well over a dozen rock climbs. Friends I was nearing complete exhaustion near to what I thought based on mileage left to hike, was the downhill to NY 17. Along the way today at a nice water stop I finally meet a guy others had mentioned from Western KY. They could not come up with his trail name. It¢s Freedom and he¢s from Murray, KY. Very nice young man. We chatted for maybe 15 minutes. I think I know why folks could recall his name. Bet they know that of his hiking 3partner¢¦a quite attractive young lady from Germany. Apparently they¢ve been hiking together a lot since Georgia. At what I thought was the last climb and nearing exhaustion, there was Freedom, who offered to help me up. It was really more of a climb requiring hands than legs¢¦not real good for a guy with weak shoulders and tired to boot. We got up and over that one and Freedom had to move on as he had 15 more miles to go. Me, about one. That one mile was the absolute worst of all my miles to date on the AT! Packed in to that distance was at least 5 more very difficult, and difficult even if I hadn¢t been so exhausted, rock climbs. At one point I stood on the down side of one looking across a crevass of about 15 feet to the immediate next climb. Knew I couldn¢t make it without a ¢pack off" rest first. Also, with remaining water in a bottle and hoping enough remained in the platypus bladder inside my pack, I mixed lemonade for a sugar fix and quick energy shot. Got up and over. And there were more. Very discouraging and confusing because most patrs of trails, but not all, ease down. This one did not. Once at point where I was for certain over the last section of rock climbing, I finally could see the end. Only one, actually two more challenges, maybe three if hitchhiking two miles to motel is added. First, was an almost sheer rock slope. One that at least twice as I remember required turning around backwards to both hold on snd get good footing. Second it was starting to rain. Let¢s get the heck off this hill quick! Once on the road, rain getting steady, I stuck out my thumb. One big truck, one SUV, do the turn around to walk with thumb out and not facing traffic and PTL, the next car pulls off to pick me up. A young guy, 2016 thru-hiker, from the area and in the area for the day and to attend a trail maintenance workshop¢¦PORK ROLL!! Not only did he pick me up, but also time to kill until his meeting, he took us to get cold drinks and then to a very good pizza place, the Pizza Pit. Pork Roll knows the area well as he lives about an hour away in New Jersey and hikes and mountain bikes at Harriman Park, which is right here.Because of the odd phone call I had with the Tuxedo, Pork Roll stayed with me to see that all was well before leaving.After a very bad day, the appearance and help of Pork Roll was a good ending. Friends, I was close, very close to calling if quits after today and several previously. In other words my attitude sucked. A good conversation with Cathy, rest, shower and clean clothes (a much appreciated service provided by the Tuxedo) started getting me into a more positive outlook to where I decided to think of other options. Including a zero day tomorrow.Good night this hiker is more than ready and in need of sleep and rest.Blessings,