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23rd June 2002

From: Palmerton
To: Campsite
State: Pennsylvania
Miles: ? 1273.9 (818.9)
Miles today: 21.7 miles

I got out of bed at 4:45 A.M. (TKH note - OUCH!!) - a real early start (no kidding!). I wanted to get the steep climb out of Lehigh Gap out of the way before it warmed up. Also, the first five miles of the trail today would be through open land with no cover from the sun. This whole hill I was about to climb and the hike across a ridge is a former zinc mining area and is almost barren. In fact, it's a bit like a lunar landscape.

I had to walk the 1/2-mile from town to the trail - not many cars around at 5:15 A.M. on a Sunday morning.

I had five days food on board and a double supply of water, as the first spring was 16 miles along the AT at the Leroy Smith Shelter, so my pack was heavy, - I guess around 45 pounds.

As it turned out, although the climb out of Lehigh Gap was steep and had some hand-over-hand rock climbing, I didn't find it as hard as I thought it would be. Perhaps it’s the benefit your body gets from a full day's rest.

It's 3:30 P.M. and I'm at the Leroy Smith Shelter now. I have refilled all my water containers and am going to cook an early dinner here, then hike on for a few more hours. It's 20 miles from here to Delaware Water Gap. I will be heading for a free hostel there, which is offered by one of the local churches. If I can knock off another five miles this afternoon that gives me an easy 15 miles tomorrow into Delaware Water Gap.

A few more words about Palmerton before I forget - it has two supermarkets, one drug store, two pizza shops, and a Subway in one of the gas stations. For the folks back home, I had a Subway Veggie Delight for dinner, followed by a pint of Hershey's Moose Tracks Ice Cream - vanilla ice cream with chocolate fudge rippled through and peanut butter pieces.

Well it's now 8:35 P.M. and I'm in my tent at a campsite just passed Wind Gap, which is 15 miles from Delaware Water Gap. The rocks were non-stop this afternoon and as you'd expect my feet are a little sore, so I'm glad to be here.

'Peregrino' is also camped here with me. He came into the town hall basement yesterday and stayed the night.

I'm looking forward to a new town tomorrow. I always have a feeling of anticipation - what's the layout like, is the town neat and tidy or old and tired, and what food treats can I get?

I'm going to lay down now and listen to music for a bit, goodnight all
Downunda

 

 

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