New Jersey, A.T. Thruhike 2012

     New Jersey began with a walk through Delaware Water Gap National Park. It then took me on a climb up on a ridge line, past a perfect backpacker campsite area. It was a nice place, complete with views, and had a privy. It was much to early in the day though, so I continued on.
     The trail looped around Sunfish Pond, a beautiful glacial pond. I stopped and took in the sights here, enjoyed the wildlife, and snapped a few frame-worthy pictures.

Snake

Frog

Sunfish Pond

Sunfish Pond

      Nake caught up to me, and we walked and talked together for a while. We stopped at the AMC-run Mohican Center for a sandwich for lunch, and I pressed on alone.

     There was a fire tower along the trail. Climbing high above the trees, I could see it was raining both to the north and south, but it was sunny sky above me. Once again, I find myself lucky along the trail.

     After passing a few remote lakes, I climbed Rattlesnake Mountain, which required some actual climbing. Walking along the ridge, I heard thunder as clouds drew near, and I decided to set up camp. It turned out to be a very nice campsite, and I found serenity as I sat and enjoyed my dinner by my tent. A few rain showers occurred that night, and I fell asleep to the sounds around my tent.

     The following day, I enjoyed yet another fire tower more exquisite views on my lone walk. I climbed Sunrise Mountain, and took a short break on the benches at top. I took time to reflect on my life, and realized my outlook on things has changed. Having time to think on the trail has given me a chance to find out much about myself; who I am, and my desires. I've realized, for example, how a simple existence can make me much happier than any amount of possessions. I understand now the preciousness of life, and just how short it is. I want to see and spend much more time with friends and family... how fortunate I am to have so many wonderful people in my life! I also have decided that I would like to direct my career focus towards something more; to challenge myself, and to maybe make a positive impact.
     That night I spent the night in a shelter alone. It was a half-mile off the trail. It was a peaceful evening, watching fireflies and listening to crickets.

     The shelter itself was simple, constructed of old wooden logs. Someone with a sense of humor had climbed up and attached a satellite dish to the roof! It made me smile.
     That night, I awoke to sounds coming from outside. I turned on my headlamp, and found that there was a bear walking in the fields just outside the shelter. I watched him for a moment, then laid my head back down and fell asleep once again. Funny how I have become so accustomed to bears!
     Morning came, and I climbed back to the Appalachian Trail after breakfast, and continued on. I arrived at High Point State Park, and I spent a little time at the visitor center. I sent out a few post cards that the rangers were kind enough to see to it they would get sent.
     The trail came to a wooden platform, which gave views of the monument located on the highest point in New Jersey. The A.T. does not go to this point, however. I chose to take a side blue-blazed trail to the top, a short but steep climb.

     I was glad I did. The views from the top were breathtaking. I have to say, coming into New Jersey I didn't know what to expect. I am pleasantly surprised... this section of trail has been very nice. It isn't too difficult, at least in comparison to the rest of the trail, but it is very rewarding.

     I stopped in to the Jim Murray Property, home of the Secret Shelter, for a break. This man has built a heated cabin for hikers to use, complete with a water pump and a shower. It was a little slice of hiker paradise, and it was unfortunate I was only stopping in for a break.
     I pushed on, and ended up walking along a long boardwalk through bogs. It was an easy, quick couple of miles through bog, a very unique environment. I love the variety along this trail! It ended with a wooden footbridge over a creek.

Boardwalk

View of the bog boardwalk

     After passing through some farmland, the trail dumped me onto route 94. There was a farm stand, and I gorged on fresh fruit! I had been craving nectarines, and was pleased at the delicious juiciness. One learns to appreciate the littlest things when one is backpacking this long!
     Back at the road, a kind person stopped to give me a lift to the church hostel up the road in Vernon, where I could shower and rest for the night. There was two other hikers there, Trotter and a southbounder.

St. Thomas Church

     The next morning, I climbed Wawayanda Mountain, and enjoyed some of my final views in Jersey. A few miles later, I was posing for a picture at the NY/NJ state line, with a huge smile on my face. I feel good... real good. And not just physically; I am truly happy. Life is just amazing.

Made it to NY!

    

Pennsylvania: The End, A.T. Thruhike 2012

     A good nights rest and a good breakfast in Port Clinton, and I was back on the trail.
     The trail became exceptionally rocky as it climbed back up to the ridges. I was now certainly experiencing the "Pennsylvania rocks" that people talk about so much on the trail. The trail is typically rocky, but in this state, you literally are walking along boulder fields and mass piles of rocks. Your feet take a pretty good beating.
     Climbing up towards the viewpoint called "Windsor Furnace", I passed many day hikers. Some stopped me to ask about my hike. It seems I tend to see very few people, if any, on most days. But near popular day hikes, especially around weekends, I may see many people.
     Pulpit Rock offered some spectacular views, complimented by soaring raptors. I passed the last of the dayhikers here.
     A few more rocky miles, and I come to an area of cliffs known as "The Pinnacle". I was taken away by the unbelievable views! A vast, sweeping landscape of forest and farmland... I decided to spend some time here.
     The area had some interesting caves I began to explore, but when it became a bit challenging, I decided not to enter further. I was alone, and should I get stuck I could be there for a long time. It was fun and interesting, nonetheless.
     After sitting for a long time in a meditative stance , absorbing the fresh air and beauty at the Pinnacle, dark clouds began to gather. I decided to get back on the trail.
     Not more than a few miles down the trail, it began to really pour. I equipped my rain gear, and made it to the next shelter, Eckville Shelter.
     This was a particularly nice shelter, one with a caretaker living nearby. It had wooden bunks and tables, and a nice potable water source. It was a little early in the day to stop, but with the pouring rain and dangerous terrain ahead, I decided to stay.
     I had the company of two Amish brothers, which was great. I had never met an Amish person before, and they were very friendly and eager to answer my questions. It was a great perspective, too... You can really get to know someone when you are camped out in the woods, people become genuine and authentic.
     A few more thruhikers joined the shelter, including Steve-O, Blue (whom later I learned contracted Lyme Disease while on the trail), and Nake. It made for good company on this rainy eve. When we learned it was one of the Amish brothers' birthday, we all sang for him. It was fun.
     The next day I hit the trail early, and made it to the Blue Mt Summit road crossing for lunch at a little restaurant there. I was joined by Steve-O and Blue. Back on the trail, Blue walked with me for a few miles, and we talked about our lives back home. He is an interesting person, who likes to fly planes and looks forward to RVing with his grandchildren.
     The trail took me over an area of very steep rock called Knife Edge. It was very challenging, but I took much enjoyment from it; the rock scrambling, the rush from the steepness, and the nice views all made for an exhilarating experience.
     After about 25 miles that day, I arrived at Outerbridge Shelter. There were no good tentsites, and the shelter itself was less than impressive. It was leaking and flooded.
     I decided instead to push just a bit further to a road, and hitched the couple miles into Palmerton.
     There is a free hostel to stay in there, nicknamed "jail" because it is run by the police and is situated in the old, former station.
     It was a nice place. There was lots of reading material, a nice shower.... It seemed luxurious for a free stay.
     a hiker named Stinger and I had the place to ourselves. Another hiker, Motown, was also staying in town with her folks, and they dropped by to drop off some snacks and sodas. They also gave us a lift back to the trail the next morning.
     The trail coming out of this gap was some of the toughest yet. It was steep, loose rock, and required a lot of climbing.
     The area is known as the Superfund Site. The vegetation here was almost completely wiped out years ago from the mining and smelting that had gone on in the area, and the earth eroded down to the bare rocks as a result.
     I was walking along with Stinger and Motown, when out of the woods a baby deer came running.
     The fawn was beyond adorable! It showed no fear, making little calls as it came right up to us and began licking our legs. This was such an incredible moment, one I will never forget!
     Eventually, after spending much time in awe of this fearless fawn, we continued north. We came to a person with a foot in a cast, sitting by his tent in front of the trail.
     His name was Firehands, and he had attempted a thruhike this year, but ended early because of a broken foot after slipping and falling near a waterfall. He is now parked at this spot, handing out some trail magic. We talked for a bit, and he gave us soda and snacks.
     As we walked, it began to rain. I had to stop and put away some gear, and thus was once again walking alone, as one with the woods.
     Pennsylvania is a truly fascinating state. It's unique geology, from its massive rock piles caused by the melting and refreezing of glaciers, its strange rocks formed in the middle of glaciers that emerge similar in appearance to cement, and its various materials that were desired and resulted in all the mining along these ridges.
     The wildlife is amazing; I observed countless deer, colorful birds, and even spotted a rattlesnake in the trail.
     I spent that night camped on the property of a restaurant in Wind Gap. The people who own the place were very friendly, and fed me a very big breakfast in the morning. I enjoyed listening to the ins and outs of running a restaurant over coffee, and learned a bit of history of the area.
     A few tough climbs later that day, and I made it to the town of Delaware Water Gap. This is my last stop in Pennsylvania, and once I cross the bridge out of town, I will have entered New Jersey.
     I went to the Church Of The Mountain Hostel, the oldest A.T. hostel on the trail. I was greeted by a crowd of thruhikers, the largest group I've seen in a long time. Dundee, Stinger, Motown, Redman, Steve-O, Pretzel, Trotter, and several more were all gathered at this one place, resting sore feet after the punishing PA rocks.
     I had several packages in town, including my new shoes. I couldn't wait to get them, as my current pair was almost completely destroyed. I did recycle the old pair by constructing a pair of ultralight camp sandals using the insoles, shoelaces, and a little ducktape.
     I enjoyed hanging out with thruhikers, trading stories and laughing at jokes. We grabbed pizza and drinks at the local shop. A man I met way back in Virginia, who goes by the nickname "Guitarman", swung by, insisting on doing some "trail magic", providing some food and entertaining us with songs on his guitar.
     It was good times to say the least, and a pleasant way to end my walk in Pennsylvania. It was an amazing section of the trail, and I will remember it fondly always. While it was punishing on my feet, it was also intriguing, uniquely challenging, and offered good times and great rewards.
     It was sad to leave, as the bridge took me over the river. I looked back toward Pennsylvania, and thought of it and all the states south of it; how I had dreamed for so long of walking them in the trail's entirety; and now they were done. I am more than halfway. How quickly my dream journey is passing!
     I looked north, and thought of the Whites, the remoteness of Maine, the Long Trail, Hudson Valley, the Garden State.... I have so much to look forward to. And so I walked across that bridge, and entered New Jersey, continuing northward.