July 9, 2004

I got out of jail free at 7:00 a.m. to begin my 20 mile hike from Palmerton, PA to Wind Gap.  Hiking out of Lehigh Gap was a steep, hand over foot rock climb.  This type of climbing and hiking was a first for me due to the duration of the climbing.  Although intense, I enjoyed the climbing and especially the scenic views afforded once atop Blue Mountain.  Blue Mountain is an E.P.A. Superfund site targeted for cleanup.  A century of zinc smelting in Palmerton has devastated the area along Blue Mountain so the E.P.A. shut down the furnaces to allow re-vegetation efforts.  Water sources are becoming more difficult to find and some are drying up.

Yesterday, after arriving at a shelter ready to refill my platypus, Bear announced both springs were dry.  So...I drank my applesauce and hiked on without water for another seven miles.  Today, I cameled-up before leaving jail and I carried enough water for the entire 20 miles which is tough because carrying the additional water weight exerts my body, especially my feet.

Pennsylvania has been rough for this year's thru-hikers.  Yesterday, a hiker named Quest took a nasty fall on his face possibly breaking his nose.  Another hiker named Smoky broke his leg last week after falling on the rocks.  A woman thru-hiker was dragged by a bear while still in her sleeping bag 40 yards in the middle of the night!  She's still hiking.  Luna, a college student, is off the trail for a day or so with a fever.  I am very tired and weary at this point.  Pennsylvania has gotten the best of me both mentally and physically.  But New Jersey is just a stone's throw away!