Date: 2007-05-12
From: Backpacker Campsite, NJ

To: Brink Road Shelter NJ
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

Note: this entry has been updated to include my BEAR encounter. I omitted it originally so no one would worry about me. ###I wasn't planning on hiking 19 miles when I woke up this morning, but it worked out that way. Up at 6:30, walking by 7:30, stop at 5:45 p.m. Dinner, bed. Full day. So what happened? Stopped off at Mohican Lodge, a place where you can stay for $17. But I was there at 10:30, too early to stop. Met some nice folks. Two middle-age ladies told me they were hiking the AT next year, and asked some questions: "How much does your pack weigh?" Do mice run across your face at night?" I told them: "35 pounds, and not yet." Two guys were there, too. Mad Dog ('04) and Joseph (didn't get his trail name.) They had section hiked, and were doing the Pacific Crest Trail in June. They suggested I check out the 12 Tribes hostel/commune in Killington, VT. Apparently it's an old-school Jewish sect that lives on a commune as monks. They let hikers stay. Anyway we wished each other luck, and I left. After that, I pretty much just made miles. Saw a lot of groups on the trail. Maybe a dozen. I had been thinking about going 14 or 15 miles, then setting up a tent, but ended up running a few extra miles to this shelter. I hurried because: * rain was coming * I prefer shelters to tents* I saw a bear!* then I saw a snakeThe bear was especially interesting.I was actually back-tracking at the time, because I thought I was off the trail. I hadn't seen a white blaze (trail marker) in a while. So I turned around and walked back, to try to find a trail markerI was looking at the ground, watching for rocks and snakes, but then I looked up and saw it - it was about 20 feet from me, frozen, staring it me. A big black bear. I was in the middle of absolute nowhere.I looked around didn't see any cubs. Good.I looked back at the bear, and it was still staring at me.I thought for a second about taking a picture, but am apparently not that brave.I instead simply turned around, and walked away. I hoped I was actually on the AT.I picked up a stick, in case I needed to throw it - a distraction. I also took out my camera as I walked away.I kept walking, and didn't look back. When I came across the snake (a non-poisonous Milk Snake, I believe), I went around it, and started walking even faster. I was really ready for this day to be over.I got to the shelter just before the rain started. Unfortunately, there were 5 guys here when I arrived, and the shelter only sleeps five . Tent is working fine, though. It's just 4 dudes from Jersey - college buddies, now they're dentists and stuff - and a friendly section hiker named Wilson who is doing a one-week trip from Bear Mountain, NY, South to Delaware Water Gap. Oh, and for the record, both last night's campsite and this one had fine cell-phone signals and 1 could pick up radio stations, too. A quick gear comparison between Wilson and the Jersey Class of '89 reunion: The guys who were just out for the weekend, each had a $100+ sleeping bag, an inflatable sleeping pad at close to $100, and a stove at about $100. Wilson, however, had a wool blanket, a piece of foam rubber, and a stove made from a Coke can. He had been hiking seven days. I bring this up only to show that one can bring virtually anything to the woods, and be OK. All those guys, and I, probably were equally comfortable, and we all are having fun. Wilson, by the way, is probably younger than me, but already quit his job as a school teacher to live on a commune. His trip name is Wonder. Real nice guy. He was hiking down to a place called Sunfish Pond, where he had spent some time as a kid on vacation. I thought about how I was headed to NH, where I had spent some time as a kid. And the Jersey guys, well, they came to the woods to relive college camping trips. I guess that's what it is for lots of folks: the ol' glory days. Part of it anyway.