Date: 2015-06-29
From: Harriman State Park

To: Hemlock Springs Campground
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Red Panda climbed over Bear Mountain, Red Panda climbed over Bear Mountain,Red Panda climbed over Bear MountaaaaaaiiinnnnAnd what do you think she saw?!(This is a multiple choice question).a) a big black snackb) a red foxc) a porcupined) a grizzly bearThe answer is...e) all of the above!It was a trick question. Sorry! Details will follow.I fell TWICE this morning. Once as I was getting my bear bag (It was on a really steep hill, okay?! It was the only place I could find a branch strong enough to hold my huge food bag plus pizza). The second time was while I was sidling down a big, flat, steeply sloped rock. The good news: no blood EITHER TIME. I am getting better at falling!I got up early to pack up from my illegal camping spot (I did my best to leave no trace, I promise). I was literally within sight of a CAMPING PERMITTED ONLY IN SPECIFIED AREAS sign. Shortly into my hike, I passed a hammock and tent also illegally camped, which made me feel better that I wasn't the only one breaking the rules. I understand the desire to protect the trail lands, but the spacing of campsites and shelters in New York is kind of unreasonable.I started out sad and homesick again. Last night, before we left for the long drive back to the trail, Dan asked, "Are you ready?", and I answered, "Nooo, but I don't have a choice, do I?". I am so tired all the time, but am trying my best not to get burnt out. Stealth camping alone lately has been great. Silence and freedom to sleep when I choose has been good for me.But as always, I readjusted and trail therapy helped me feel better, and less than two mikes into the hike, I passed through the Lemon Squeezer. The Squeezer is a narrow crevice that is barely big enough to pass through. I was afraid of damaging poor Gertrude (who is already showing signs of wear), so I took her off and held her in front of me as I tried to make the squeeze.She was still too fat! I can't imagine the disaster I would have encountered if I tried to get big fat Bertha (may she rest in peace) through there. I had to hoist Gertrude up over my head and pitch her over the top and side of the Squeezer. Then I passed through and backtracked to retrieve my pack parasite.Next (oh yes, there's more!), I was confronted by a sign that pointed to the left, reading, "EASY WAY". To the right? The AT, white blazes climbing an impossibly tall rock, with very few places to put hands and feet.And did Red Panda take the easy way?OF COURSE NOT. I AM NO WIMP. I PITCHED MY POLES UP AHEAD OF ME AND CLIMBED THAT CLIMB WITH TOES JAMMED ON 1/4" LEDGES. It was like climbing up a backwards slope. In retrospect, this was really dangerous and I probably should have at least taken the easy way up, left Gertrude off at the top, then slackpacked the hard way. She was really, really full of food, and heavy. One wrong overbalance and I would have been sobbing on the side of the trail with bones poking through my skin.I suffered no injuries, though! Another climb survived! The Lemon Squeezer has been conquered!The last of my pizza did not make it to lunch time... It just sat in my food bag, calling to me, reminding me of delicious barbeque goodness, until I couldn't take it anymore. So lunch was about two hours early today. And it was the best lunch I have ever had on the trail. I will dream about it for weeks to come.After my early lunch, I ran into Coco and Magnus! Yay! They told me they had spread the word about the picnic at the crowded Fingerboard Shelter last night. It looks like the trail magic picnic may actually serve quite a few hikers. I hope so, at least!I hiked with them for a while, until they stopped for a lunch of peanut butter (their food bags otherwise empty because they planned to head into town today to resupply). We chatted about narrators, snakes, and bears. I asked them if they knew where the Aussie Legs are. It's hard to keep track because there haven't been log books in the last few shelters. They are probably a couple of days ahead of us, and I think Chris is at least a day behind.We also got some good views of NYC, and passed the AT's intersection with the Long Trail. It seems so surreal that the city is so close.So after a few miles of companionship, I was flying solo again. And then... Bear Mountain! It was a nice climb. Lots of stone steps and a nicely manicured gravel path near the summit. My knees protested all of the climbs and descents today. They are in need of some greasing. I forgot to take my fish oil pills this weekend, but was sure to take them (plus wonderful ibuprofen) before dinner tonight.At the top of the mountain, I paid a ridiculous $2.60 for a bottle of Powerade from a vending machine. I was THAT desperate for something cold. The other day, I got so lightheaded and weak while hiking, even though I didn't feel thirsty or hungry. I am trying to be more careful about reading my body's signals. I guzzled that Powerade right down, and it was delicious.Perkins Memorial Tower is at the top of Bear Mountain, 0.8 miles past the 1400 mile mark. FOURTEEN HUNDRED MILES FROM SPRINGER MOUNTAIN. Can you believe it?! I can't.Outside the tower, I found Samaritan, Burnout (I think?) and another girl whose name I don't know (I am so bad with names). SOG was also sitting nearby.I climbed the tower to get the best view. It was okay. The windows were pretty grubby (though not as grubby as me).Then I descended to the Bear Mountain recreation area, passing a crowd of children and their parents. One of them pointed out the panda on my pack to a little boy. Apparently, red pandas are his favorite animals. He has good taste.As I continued past them, I could hear the boy keep calling out, "Where's the next marker?" and "I see a marker!", as he spied for white blazes. Very cute.I took a break to sit with Doc and Forward, and SOG joined us after purchasing a burger from the rec area concession stand. I asked if they would be around for a few minutes to watch Gertrude, so I could skip off to fill my water bottles in the restroom. Doc replied, "Yes, ma'am." in his sweet southern accent, which I love. The supply of awesome people on the trail never ends.I moved on and headed into the ZOO. That's right. The zoo and trailside museum. The AT goes straight through the weird, cute little zoo. I got to see the fox, the porcupine, and the bear (Magnus had pointed out the snake on the trail earlier in the day). As I walked through, people asked me about my hike. Coco rescued me from a ten-minute interrogation by a really nice, tiny, redheaded woman.Then, we visited the bear cage, which is the lowest point on the entire AT. The trail is SO WEIRD. A ZOO?! REALLY?!And then Doc and Forward caught up with us. We formed a hiker mob out of the zoo. Magnus took a picture of us crossing the road before heading over the Bear Mountain Bridge, along with a hilarious hiker XING road sign.The day ended with a huge, terrible climb and descent to Hemlock Springs Campsite (it probably wasn't that bad in reality, but seemed so long at the end of a long day). I tried to find a secluded spot to pitch my tent. But then other hikers followed me, and my introvert self just wants to yell, "PLEASE SHUT UP SO I CAN GO TO SLEEP.". I think I am grumpy after a long day of hiking. Of course, my earplugs are hanging in my bear bag with my toiletries. Maybe I will listen to music and pray that my phone battery lasts until I can find an outlet (it is already so low!).I am thankful for a beautiful forest view (this morning's walk was so gorgeous, too!), for great companions today, and a flat spot for my tent. I am thankful for an eventful day. I am so tired and hope people go to bed soon. Hiker midnight is fast approaching. I am also glad that I swapped my fleece liner back out for my sleeping bag. No rain in the forecast tonight means no rain fly, and hopefully the chance to view some stars. I am thankful for TWO pizza meals in one day. I am thankful to have so much to look forward to.