Make it count: Day #90

Wednesday, June 10 - Day #90 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 17.1
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1211.2/2,193 (55.23%)

Pine Grove, PA (1194.1) to Eagles Nest Shelter (1211.2) - tent at Eagles Nest Shelter

Total ascent - 1,930’
Total descent - 1,611’

Total States Completed - 6/14

**Rain Day - hot and humid all day - temperatures nearing 90 degrees. Thunderstorms coming in this evening

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Coming to you live from my tent at the Eagles Nest Shelter - Mile #1211.2 on the AT. 981.8 miles to Mt Katahdin and the finish of this journey. Still an incredibly long way to go - but I’m starting to make a little progress.

So - incredibly hot and humid today. As I’m writing this blog - I’m sweating in my tent — and it’s almost 8pm. It’s still got to be in the mid 80s right now.

You’ll notice when I’m writing my total ascent numbers - it looks very unimpressive (1,930’). However - the hills aren’t what matters in Pennsylvania- it’s the rocks. Today we started to get a taste of the bad stuff. There were 2 separate sections of 2-3 miles each with nothing but rocks. It’s brutal on the feet - and legs as a whole.

What else do you need to concern yourself with in Pennsylvania? Rattlesnakes!! Oh-man - everybody is seeing them all over the trail. Spice and Colby ran into one laying on the side of the trail - just 10 minutes before we came through the same spot. Caruso saw 2 of them when he was catching up to Sherpa Mike and I the other day. Fly by night just came into the shelter late - he saw one 2 miles before the shelter. Rocks, heat, and rattlers - it’s like a field of land mines out there. I’m incredibly freaked out - I’m watching the trail so intently. No music - just listening for the rattle. I’ve taken a picture of first aid basics on treating a snake bite (what to do and not do). It’s easily accessible on my phone. I’m wearing long pants, I have my eyes glued to the trail, I’m aware of first aid if needed, and I have a Garmin SOS that can be sent in the event there is no cell coverage. I’m doing everything I know to do - let’s hope for the best - and me getting out of Pennsylvania safely!

Tonight at the shelter - it’s me, Caruso, Sherpa Mike, Spice, Colby, Waldo, and Fly by Night. Spice and Colby have consistently been around us - it’s pretty cool. I think they’re going to try to stay with us as well.

As I’m writing this - a thunderstorm is rolling in. Expecting heavy rains tonight. Let’s hope for a strong tent to protect me!

My buddy Liam just sent us a pic from 10 years ago today - when we completed the Inca Trail Marathon. What a great day! I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. I’ll include the picture on the blog.

Goodnight from Pennsylvania! Praying for safety tonight (no rattlesnakes, no falls on rocks, and safety from the storm).