It was perfect weather for hiking today, sunny but a little cool. The trail, on the other hand, was a bit rough. Rocksylvania was trying hard to live up to its reputation.
These weren’t the worse rocks by far, but mile after mile of having to watch every step took its toll. When a flat dirt or gravel section appears it’s exciting. Two minutes of being able to look into the forest. My feet hurt less than yesterday. At Stay-AT-Swatara I had found insoles in the hiker box and I put them on top of my orthotics. Perhaps that tiny bit of extra cushioning made a difference.
I haven’t fallen too much recently but took a fairly dramatic tumble today after stubbing my foot against a rock. I rolled in poison ivy, and since nothing is itching or blistering (and since I’ve never before had the kind of itch or blistering some others get from it) I’ve concluded that I don’t react to it, which is nice, but I will probably keep watching for it at every step.
Mid morning I met an older couple doing trail magic. I sat with them for about 15 minutes in a VERY comfortable chair. I had a root beer, a processed food pecan swirl which had a beautiful appetizing photo of a cinnamon roll on the outside but tasted and felt like undercooked sugary dough, and two apples. The husband had thru hiked in 2002. They talked a lot about politics and luckily we shared the same opinions about the state of American democracy.
I met just one other hiker on trail, a long ass section hiker (a LASHer) doing 400 miles SOBO. The couple doing trail magic had commented on how quiet the trail seemed, and I felt it today.
I arrived at Eagle’s Nest shelter around 6 and was glad to see someone already there. Lobo and his dog Indiana Bones. At first it wasn’t clear if they had just arrived or were just leaving. Lobo is cheerful but seemed a bit vague on his plans. Eventually he said he’s going to night hike starting around 1 am so he’s camping a ways from the shelter so he won’t wake me when he leaves. He recommended that I try night hiking too. Apparently you see a lot more wildlife.
Oakley arrived later. I had met him a few days ago. He chatted briefly with us. Then he went to pitch his tent and hasn’t come back. Probably just cooked his dinner on the picnic table over by the tentsites.
It’s definitely more pleasant to be at a shelter with a couple of others than alone at a stealth campsite, but it’s been a thin few days socially and I hope I start seeing more people soon.
Mile 1190.3 to mile 1212.1 = 21.8 miles
Passed the 1200 mile mark today. Under 1000 left!
