The hikers are sitting in a laundromat washing up clothes in preparation for their detour into NYC tomorrow. Madeline has scrounged a left behind book from the laundromat to replace the last trade which she finished. This trail library system does seem to be working. On the AT there is a common belief in what is known as trail magic. When a hiker is in need of something on the trail, it has a tendency to present itself.
They fell short of their 19 mile goal on Saturday but made it a highly respectable 17 1/2. The average pace of a trail hiker is between 1 and 1 1/2 miles per hour. Up and down mountains with a pack is quite different from the pace of a city walk. They had managed to become separated on the trail Saturday when Jonathan returned to Graymoor for the phone. Madeline apparently lost the trail as Jonathan was returning to catch up. By the time she was back on the trail, Jonathan had already passed her by. She assumed he was still behind her and he assumed she was ahead of him. They had a predetermined spot to stop for lunch in the event they did not reconnect sooner. When Jonathan did not find Madeline at this lunch spot, because he had not passed her up, he assumed she went on ahead. After not sighting her in the next couple of hours, he stopped by a stream crossing to wait and perhaps get word of a Madeline sighting from another hiker. They both did in fact get the information they needed from another hiker, and eventually reconnected. They finally stopped to camp at 9:30 that night at an old farmstead , feet exhausted.
Madeline wasn't sure her feet would carry her forward the next day, however, once the boots were on and the hiking begun, she said they felt better. They made Sunday a lighter hike. Jonathan especially likes hiking the early mornings, and evenings as they turn to night. It's especially beautiful in the woods at those times.
Today it rained all day which takes its toll. Neither hiker is too happy with their boots. Although they are supposed to be waterproof, Jonathan's are not proving to be so. Madeline's hold out the water but the soles are beginning to separate from the uppers. They plan on phoning the manufacturer tomorrow to request a replacement pair be sent. Though they knew they would need to replace boots along the way, this is way too soon. I think gear manufacturers will generally stand behind their products.
Tonight they are in a camping permissible area in the town of Pawlings, outside a Lions Club, where according to Jonathan, there is a porch full of loud men. They plan to catch the train into NYC in the morning, spend Wednesday night at Hostelling International, and return by train to the trail at some point on Thursday. The detour should be good for morale. The hike is such a physical and psychological challenge, they both need propping up at times. They hope to be able to hit their next mail drop in Connecticut on Saturday. ~Amy
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I can appreciate your sentiments about boots. I have found that waterproof or gore-tex boots are great in theory but take forever to dry and may not be as good as lightweight breathable hikers or ever running shoes. Although the soles of running shoes get destroyed so fast. When you get to Pennsylvania especially. That's where boots go to die. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, great updates! I'm living vicariously through them!
Good going my young friends. I met you at VT12 yesturday, August 30 and was amazed at how many ears of freshly picked corn you two put down. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteLeeBo