Make it count: Day #93

Saturday, June 13 - Day #93 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 11.1
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1259.7/2,193 (57.44%)

Tentsite (1248.6) to Palmerton (1259.7) - Hostal in Palmerton

Total ascent - 1,055’
Total descent - 2,050’

Total States Completed - 6/14

**No rain - perfect weather day. Low around 60 degrees. High around 75 degrees

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Coming to you live from the top bunk in a 5-bunk Hostal in Palmerton, PA. A nice 11.1 mile hike this morning got us into Palmerton around 11:30am. Mike met us at the parking area with his rental car upon arrival. His ankle is doing better - but he’s going to take tomorrow off as well. We’ll stay here 2 nights - Mike will pick us up at the end of the hike tomorrow- so we can keep our packs light - and then bring us back to the Hostal.

After completing the hike, we then drove over to Cabelas where Caruso got some new shoes. I got a couple mountain house meals as a resupply. Next stop was Walmart - where we did a resupply for snacks/lunch food.

As I was making my way around Walmart - I hear somebody yell: “Kyle”. I look up - it was non-other than Nora!! Nora from my Tramily!! I haven’t seen her in nearly 2 months. Unreal!! I really like her - I did when we first met. We have alot in common (same pack, same shoes, similar interests). We talked for quite a while. She’s hiking with Triple B and Jedhi. I talked with all those guys. We even gave them a ride over to their hotel for the night. They’re about 40 trail miles behind us (as we drove quite a distance to get to Cabelas). Hopefully we’ll see them up the trail.

After our resupply - I grabbed a Subway sandwich. Mike and Caruso got Five Guys. We made our way back to the Hostal. It was mid-afternoon. I got my gear ready for tomorrow and just chilled. I ate some of my snack food for dinner (beef jerky, cookie, pop tart) - I’ll plan to get a nice meal tomorrow night.

So - the section we’re doing tomorrow is known to be the hardest section in Pennsylvania. Specifically - there’s an extremely technical (intense rock climbing) climb for the first couple miles of the day. If we can make it through that - it should lighten up a bit. There’s no way to hide - we just have to get out there and make it happen. Remember when I talked about the technical nature of Dragon's Tooth back in Virginia. This climb supposedly makes that look simple. One huge positive - I will be slack packing tomorrow and not carrying 30+ pounds - hoping this pays dividends.

Goodnight from PA! Here’s to a safe walk on the rocks!