Date: 2012-03-31
From: Bellvale NY

To: AT in NY Day 1 - Little Dam Lake
Miles today: 10.0

Wow first I was definitely going,  then just before going to bed last night, I heard there was a heavy a rain forecast so then I was going to wait until Monday.  Then when I got and it wasn't raining I was back to going again and I did. We left the house right after breakfast and headed for Route 17A It was a little chilly, 37* and misting when we arrived at the trail head. I kissed Gerrie, Gabby & Lucy goodby, and away I went, it was 10:30. Right away I knew this was not going to be an easy day. Having rained last night and still misting, there are wet rocks, wet roots and wet leaves on top of the wet rocks making hiking difficult and dangerous. The trail was mainly flat, never going up more than 300', and except for a few difficult and slippery massive rock face sections  the trail wasn't too bad  With just a few slips but no falls, I made it to Wildcat shelter in less than 2 hrs, and overall I was feeling pretty good.  Went to make lunch only to find I forgot my tortillas so lunch will have to be peanut butter and pop tarts.  Back on the trail after lunch and it's ridge trail for about 1/2 hour then a 500+' drop down to Lakes rd.  Next came Fitzgerald Falls then more tough vertical climbing over wet rocks.  After crossing West Mombasha Rd the trail got very difficult. There were very steep climbs over slippery wet rocks and it was during the second monster climb that I slipped and fell over backwards and went tumbling downhill about 10yd bouncing from rock to rock, finally being stopped by one really big boulder. I was very fortunate that boulder was there since beyond it was a serious drop off.  I waited a moment, my heart was really pounding. My right arm was bleeding in 2 places from rock burn and I must have cut my mouth because I was spitting blood.  I knew what I had to do and that was to get the hell up. Finding nothing broken only a little banged up, I literally licked my wounds and struggled to get back up the rock pile again. Everything seemed to hurt so I took it slow. These were hard climbs and there were more. I fell again only this time I didn't slid too far, only about 10'. No additional bleeding but one really sore hip. Finally I made it to East Mombasha Rd.  I was wet, cold, and hurting all over. My planned night stop was just ahead about 15 minutes away.  With more rain expected overnight I took about 1/2 hr to find a suitable campsite. It was 5pm.  I mediately setup my tent, fetched water in my new MSR, got my food rope up, put dinner on and went about cleaning and dressing by boo boos. With being just too cold and too many aches to mention I quickly finished dinner and still dressed, slipped into my sleeping bag to warm up and write this journal.  Listing to NOAA radio it's expected to get down to the low 30's tonight so I really glad I packed the warm sleeping bag. Today I started on page 129 (NY 17A, Bellvale, NY) and stopped for the might on page 134 (Little Dam Lake, footbridge.) in the A. T. Guide by David Miller  (the green book)Temps, it's 44* in my tent right now (8:00) Light to no wind, but heavy rain expected tonight and most of tomorrow.  I haven't seen anorher person on the trail today.   So in spite of many many aches and pains once again life is beautiful? on my piece of Appalachian Trail, albeit cold, sore and wet, ......... it still feels Great to be back..... I need a good nights sleep.,,,.I sure hope I can hike tomorrow.  Total AT miles hiked today 10.........This is definetly going to be a 4 Advil night . ....... . Nite all