Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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July 25, Wildcat Shelter - 1355.3

I have never been more physically miserable than I was today. It was so hot & so humid, & half the time the trail was up on the ridge of boulders with no shade & no water any where. I probably suffered a bit of heat exhaustion, but I was careful to take a lot of breaks when I felt it coming on.

We crossed into New York early this afternoon, but so far I don't much like it. In fact, I think I hate it. The trail deliberately climbs up & over the top of every pile of boulders in the state, even worse where there's a perfectly easy, sane way to go around them. In one place, a too-short ladder was available to help get up the rock face, but in most places, there are no hand holds or foot holds. I hated it.

Right now, if it were possible, I think I'd jump at the chance to get off & go home. It's a good thing I'm deep in the woods instead.

July 26, Fingerboard Shelter - 1369.6

Today was even worse than yesterday, if that's possible. It poured this morning, I slipped & fell on rocks all day long, I nearly split my head open climbing up one particular rock wall ( not really, but it did hurt) & then a guy with Lyme's Disease who started as hour later than me blew by me this afternoon to do another 5 miles. I called Tony from a phone that happened to be on the highway road crossing (weird!) & managed only to sound like a blubbering idiot. I still hate New York & can't wait for Connecticut.