I was on the trail just after six, an hour before Ghost and Bull were going to get up. Not too much to report. It was a long day with lots of rock gardens to clamber over and several very open views. I did see two non day hikers heading SOBO but they swooshed by me with just a nod. No other section or thru hikers. Lots of day hikers in a couple of sections with views.
I was looking forward to brunch at a fancy restaurant that was just off trail. Alas they only opened at 4.
I haven’t been planning multiday sections recently, I just hike until lunch then figure out the shelter situation ahead and pick a destination 10 to 15 miles away. At tonight’s shelter a flip-flop hiker named BC was already there (my first fellow Canadian in ages) and Ghost and Bull from last night arrived half an hour after me. BC started from Harpers Ferry and is taking it slow while he gets his trail legs.
The shelter is very old and worn down and gloomy but it will do and the company is good!
The last mile before the shelter was a continuous view of the valley below and I could see lots of towns there. The town of Palmerton is only an hour from the shelter so I’ll have second breakfast there tomorrow and resupply.
Only a couple more days in Pennsylvania thrn it’s into New Jersey.
Mile 1235.9 to mile 1260.8 =24.9 miles
Early morning view
This gives an idea of the rock gardens (and of how healthily pink my finger is)
The rocks in the foreground are what much of the trail looked like today