Date: 2014-04-07
From: PA 309

To: Bake Oven Knob shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

April 7, 2014A year ago today, I discovered the true meaning of cold on the trail. And here I am a year later, watching the mist swirl outside Bake Oven Shelter. In the summer, the heat emanates from the rocks and the gnats and spiders are relentless. But on a cold and rainy day in early spring, the wind howls up from the valley below and the mist wraps itself around trees and hikers. The gnats are gone, but Rami has already killed two spiders. Crickets awoke me at 5 am and I grabbed for my cell phone to shut off my alarm. 5 am. In my excitement, I set my alarm for 5 instead of 6. Today is the day that I begin my trek to complete the miles that I was unable to do on my AT trek last year. I was staying at my sisters house in Lancaster, and my niece had offered to drive me instead of sending me back on the train and bus to Allentown where I was to meet my hiking buddy and his wife. I padded downstairs with the sheets from my bed, tossed them in the washer then joined my sister, Carol for our morning coffee. My last morning coffee with her. Soon, it was 7, and time to leave. Courtney carefully pulled out of the garage under Dale's watchful eye, and my sister slid into the back seat. I kept a careful eye on the darkening clouds as Courtney chatted her way down the highway. We reached Allentown in a little over an hour and a half. As I got out of the car, I immediately spotted Rami. I hugged my sister goodbye, hugged her again, hugged Courtney, and said our goodbyes. A few trips to the bathroom, and Rami, his wife Becky and I climbed into their Subaru and took off. Within an hour, we were at the trailhead. The B&B where I had hitchhiked into Palmerton was across the street. It appeared closed and did not look at all as I remembered it that sweltering July day. The chill in the air sped up our goodbyes and soon we were in the trail. Finally. I was back. My hiking stick clicked on the rocks as we strolled along the trail. I walked quickly in an effort to warm up. "I thought you said you were slow," exclaimed Rami. "You wait till we hit the real rocks. You'll see slow, " I called back. The entire day was a race with the predicted rain storm. No breaks for lunch. No resting. We were only going 5 miles and needed to beat the rain. Rocks are slippery when wet, and we had some challenging terrain ahead of us. In about 45 minutes, we reached New Tripoli Campsite, where we had originally planned on stopping. Good time for 2.1 miles. But we soon hit the real rocks. Our pace slowed as we carefully picked our way along. I was surprised to see some snow and ice in the crevices. How soon I forget that winter's grip is still clinging on. And then we reached Bear Rocks. AWOLs guide announced a view. But it wasn't the view that awed us. It was the slanted rocks along a narrow ridge that threatened to end our fun. I had to put down my poles and use the boulders for balance. The drops of rain that fell soon darkened my pack and made the rock slide into a slippery slide. I puton my pack cover and kept moving.y hands were becoming cold, and I wondered if I should have brought hiking gloves instead of winter mittens which are useless for climbing rocks. The half mile jumble took us about an hour and we breathes a sigh of relief after we hit dirt again. The trail became even and the footing was great. We zipped along but the rocks gradually returned. Soon, we were climbing Bake Oven knob. The climb was not too difficult because the rocks seemed well placed. But the showers picked up in time for a slippery descent. We very slowly picked our way down, holding onto wet rocks and trying our best not to slip. Within an hour, we made it over that section and the trail walking resumed. I was enjoying the easy terrain when Rami spotted the shelter. Even before we reached the shelter, we could see the garbage. Piles of it. Outside the shelter and in it. We could not find a broom, so I used an old sock that had been left to wipe the dirt and ashes off the floor as best I could. Rami suggested that we get water before the rain increased. We found a very nice pipes spring, treated our water and began setting things up. I tries to eat but found I was just getting colder by sitting on the floor. I pulled out all my layers and my sleeping bag. Much better. The dampness seeped into everything, and we were chilled in our bags. The mist literally swirled through the shelter. The rain began to fall harder. But Rami and I sat and chatted, cozy in our sleeping bags. As the evening approached, I discovered a tarp lying in a heap by the garbage. It was wet and muddy but in good shape. Rami and I were able to use the nails to mount it and cover he opening to the shelter. I can't say it's warm in here, but it is certainly less cold now. Darkness is falling, and I can hear the wind outside. I want to curl up in my bag for the night. Life is good.