Date: 2012-06-16
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 16.5

Allentown Shelter - 16.5 milesWe were up and gone by 6:00. From Windsor Furnace, the trail turns up until you reach Pulpit Rock, which has a nice view. So, we stopped to enjoy. (Of course I ate while there). After a good 1/2 hour we moved on, continuing to The Pinacle, another great view; we stopped again. We probably stayed there 3/4 hour. Walking down from the Pinacle, we encounter a Boy Scout troop on the side of the trail, looking at maps and confused. They were trying to find the AT going north. Well duh, your sitting on it! We helped them with where they were and told them which direction to go, then went on. The remainder of the walk down to Hawk Mountain Road was uneventful, and we reached the road before noon. Eckville Shelter is actually down the road and behind a caretaker's house. We walked down. Bob is stopping here. He was going to stay here until his brother picked him up tomorrow, but he called his girlfriend and she will come tonight. We sat around and had lunch (again). I stayed there 2 1/2 hours talking with Bob. Finally I left about 2:20, walking by myself again. The trail immediately turned uphill to climb Hawk Mountain. After my long break, and eating, I had lots of energy and I flew up the mountain doing 3 mph for 2 miles hard uphill. Just past the top of climb I met 2 SoBo (Southbound) weekenders who gave me a carrot and Starburst. Great, I need vegetables. We talked for a few minutes, and they told me of an entry in the register ahead about the evacuation of Coffee To Go. I went on to The Pulpit to read the register there. Apparently, 2 days ago, Coffee To Go, a thru hiker from Germany, was found here too weak and sick to move. The thru hikers that found him called 911, but 911 had no idea where the Pulpit is. So the thru hikers gave them the info on the local maintaining club and 911 was able to get them on the line. Tired of waiting, the rescue thru hikers rigged up a stretcher using sleeping bags, and started carrying Coffee To Go down the mountain via the trail. They were mostly back down the mountain when they met the EMTs. The EMTs started an IV and took him to the hospital. Word is that he recovered quickly. Dehydration? Bug in the water? Food Poisoning? I do not know. What I do know is, when you are sick or in need of help, you can depend upon your fellow thru hikers to do whatever is necessary to help. A really big thanks and job well done to all the thru hikers who helped Coffee To Go. Sorry I do not know who you are by name to specifically call you out here, but thanks to all. The Boy Scout troop I had met this morning was also at the Pulpit. I thought, WOW, this is all the further they got. They are only about 4 miles from where I saw them last and I took a good 2 1/2 hours off in addition to my walking time. I hiked on, in less of a rush now, thinking about what happened. I heard a noise in the woods and looked up. There was a Black Bear. He spotted me about the same time I spotted him and he immediately bolted out of there. Boy are they fast! You had better not try to outrun one, you would never have a chance. The rocks of Pennsylvania got worse, as I expected, and my walk to Allentown Shelter was greatly slowed by walking on rock and climbing over rocks. I reached the shelter about 6:00. The Boy Scout troop arrived about 8:30, just at dusk. Boy are they slow. Well the end of another day on the trail. Thanks Bob, for coming out and walking with me the last few days. I really enjoyed your company, and hope you enjoyed your time in the woods.