- Hiked Today: 15.5 miles
- Appalachian Trail (1,281.9 – 1,297.4)
- Total Hiked: 3,230.9 miles
- Total Paddled: 99.5 miles
Weather: 60 – 85°F, sunny and very humid, rain and some thunder as I neared town in late afternoon.
Elevation: 397 – 1,660 feet
The Gateway Motel to the Church of the Mountain Hiker Center
I was up earlier than normal and since my food wasn’t hanging up in a tree, I packed up quickly too. That’s why by 5:45 am already I was on the road walking into the town of Wind Gap. As I passed the A.T. parking lot a guy called out “Good morning!” from over by his awesome looking camper van. He asked if I was heading into town and when I reply that yep, I planned to get some groceries and find breakfast, he said he’d give me a lift. Woohoo!
I had already decided I wasn’t going to try and hitch this early in the morning, figuring anyone up was on their way to work, but this was perfect! “In Tandem” is supporting his wife, a hiker on trail I haven’t met yet called “Step By Step.” Those are their trail names. He was a super nice guy and I enjoyed our brief conversation together.
It was about 2 miles to the Giant grocery store (that’s what it’s called, not an adjective) and I was so thankful for the ride after seeing how long it was. When we found out it didn’t open for another hour, I decided to head across the road to the Gap Diner. In Tandem carted me over and then we said our goodbyes for the time being; you never know if/when you’ll meet up the trail again.
The diner had just opened and it was just me and two local guys and the waitress. I got some eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage, and coffee. It was really good. Above average for your standard breakfast like this and good portion sizes. I hung out for an hour or so, then walked back over to get my resupply shopping done.
Afterwards, it only took me about 5 minutes before I got a hitch back up to trail. Very kind folks around here. Brian was my trail angel chauffeur this time around.
It was about 8:30 am by this point. I’d been pretty efficient with my town “tasks.” Before setting out, I took a moment right in the parking lot to sit and pause before starting to hike. I tried drying out my tent fly (lots of condensation with the humidity), but being in the shade, it wasn’t really happening.
Leaving the road, the trail continued it’s Pennsylvania trend of brutally shooting straight up and then leveling off afterwards. Once up on the ridge it was Rocksylvania all day!
Mark it down. Day 157 = first day of AT mosquito season! Ugh
It started to rain on the descent down to Delaware Water Gap. This is my new attempt for rain protection… a poncho that goes overtop the pack too. Looks funny. I’ll see how it works. I haven’t used it since Washington on the PCT in 2019. This was a short-lived shower and it was so humid I was drenched in sweat anyways, so hard to tell how it performed.
The mighty Delaware River
Still Mountain Laurel!
Making it down to Delaware Water Gap, I found the Church of the Mountain Hiker Center, a place the church has opened up for hikers to stay. There were already a few hikers there. After scoping it out quickly, I continued past in to town for pizza and to buy a new stove. Unfortunately the used one I’d bought in Duncannon broke too now. I think I have developed a bad habit in the way I thread the cans on to the stove, so I’ll be cognizant if that going forward. Hoping this newest stove lasts! It’s OliCamp brand which I’ve never used before, so we’ll see.
It was still pretty early when I made my way back to the church’s hiker center. I showered and claimed a spot on the floor. The place was pretty full of hikers: Lord Chuckles, Mogli, Wren, Barefoot, Lucas, Hard Core, Lucky Charms, Crocodile, Bacon Shovel, and even a few more I forgot names of. As it got later, I was ready for sleeping and struggled to find a place where things were settling down. I even tried going outside, but saw a big bug which had me retreat. About the same time I was moving back to my original floor space, folks seemed to be winding things down, so it worked out.
Album of the Day:
“Pieces of the Sky (Expanded & Remastered) – 1974: Emmylou Harris
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