The John Axy

Everyday the trail throws a new challenge at you. On this particular sunny day we experienced our first rock climbing session. He is actually going down that rock face...backwards was definitely the safest way...we spent this day and the next walking along a ridge line going up and over boulders, it was hard to make any distance since the majority of time was spent tossing our poles downhill, climbing down, picking up our poles them doing it again 20 feet later...brutal on the body (we have the scrapes to prove it!).

There are certain sections where you are hopping from boulder to boulder for hundreds of feet straight. It's usually steep so I prefer going up rather than down(prefer doesn't mean choice!) Here's a small sample of the terrain...and the reason why one misstep could cost you plenty...

Ok, I made a video of it but it's too difficult to post video from my location. Basically, I am at the Gren Anderson Shelter somewhere in NJ. I went about 24 hours without seeing another person and today met 6 locals out hiking. Looking back they all shared bear stories without being asked. My story is this, I wasn't sure I was at the right shelter so I took off my pack and walked the last few hundred yards with nothing but a phone. As I am approaching shelter I see one about 100 or so yards away walking up the hill. It's recorded and we'll see if they come back tonight to say Hi. Woohoo, some excitement:-)

I don't know what happened but I just couldn't get going today. I stopped here and napped for an hour hoping for an energy boost but got nada. As you can see, lovely spot, had a strong breeze so quite conducive to some good Zzz's.

So I mentioned in a previous post that I am now sleeping in a tent, one of the unfortunate downsides is that on a rainy night like tonight, I have to have my shoes under the tent. Now these things have been wet for 7 days, straight twice now, they have a few hundred miles on them...and the other day I smelled them from over 10 feet away...so yeah, tonight is going to be a long nsdight...

Right as you descend into Palmerton, PA you have to get down the steepest descent in PA. You can see the river in the background, that's basically how far down the climb was. I took this photo from the "ridge" right before heading down. It took me more than an hour to get down. I was also fortunate that Palmerton had a laundry mat, it was a bad day to not be wearing my Depends!

One of the things I really like about the trail is occasionally the trees part and you get an awesome view of the landscape below. Enjoy!

I saw this on a wall...when I think of the $$ I've spent over the years on camping gear I just have to laugh...

I didn't stay here, just stopped by for water and saw this.

There is a 19 mile "no camping" zone across the Cumberland Valley. So I spent a day walking through farm and dairy lands. It was overcast so not a lot of great views, but here's one of my views from the day.

I hole you can see this clearly...spiders do some amazing things..

I was headed to Darlington Shelter. 4 miles from the shelter I see this sign...ugh...it meant my pack was going to be 8 pounds heavier but at least there was an actual warning sign... thanks trail maintainers!

When my guidebook points out the "Taj Mahal" privy you kind of hope for something a wee bit more impressive...

I was setting up my tent and saw something move, here's what I saw.

This was how yesterday morning started...almost .5 mile of these giant rocks...oh, it rained the night before and they were covered in leaves...let's say the blood got pumping a few times as I made my way through there...

In southern PA the shelters were quite fantastic, there is a guy who visits this one every day, privy was spotless and look, he even has flowers around the place!

I have no idea what type of spider this is but I stopped for a rest, put down my pack and this was on it. No idea how long it had been there as I easily walked through at least 50 webs up to that point.. she's cute though, right?

This, is the beginning of an area known as the Rock Maze. Quite challenging to get through...but a fun way to start the day...

In southern PA the shelters were quite fantastic, there is a guy who visits this one every day, privy was spotless and look, he even has flowers around the place!

Was walking through Windsor Furnace park down this road for quite a while...thought I'd share.

The halfway marker for this year was further south (trail length changes every year due to natural and unnatural events) but I took a selfie anyways...do you think this new look is why I can't hitch a ride these days?

As I was walking out of Duncannon I kind of knew this is the mountain I would be climbing...saw the cloud and thought it made a nice photo.

I usually eat either something like this or a Knorr rice side with either tuna or jerky...I'm sure in another month I'll never want to eat Knorr again but for now, it's quick, cheap and easy trail food.

Was walking through some farmland and saw this old cemetary, from what I could read most were from 1800's...kind of cool to see an old family plot.

This one was erected by the town of Boonsboro, MD. I met a guy at the top of the tower who was there watching the Hawks migrate (I didn't know hawks migrated). Anyways, enjoy!

I met loads of interesting people today which is funny because I didn't see another person until the end of the day yesterday. Had lunch here with a kiwi lady (New Zealander) who came to the US last week for a quilting workshop and a chick that works in a tattoo parlor who is from Baltimore and was out hiking with her French Bulldog prepa r in to hike the AT in 2015. This was our view:

So I was having my lunch in Harper's Ferry when this 'friend' decided to join me. It flew off with Bleu Cheese dressing on its feet and tail. This led the people across the deck to inquire about my journey. We chatted for a few minutes, then their food arrived. I finished eating, checked my guidebook for distance I needed to travel, checked the time and knew I needed to get moving.  I raised my hand to request my check and the fauxtographer came over and let me know the people I had chatted with earlier had picked up my tab. I thanked them from my table,  put my pack on and walked over to look them each in the eye and thank them directly, only she spoke and she said "we respect the journey."

Tomorrow I will climb a mountain called The Priest. You start around 1,000 feet and go straight up to a bit over 4,000 feet.  Then, because you are exhausted, you get to sleep near the top of the mountain, which should be a real treat given that it will be cold and windy. Should make for an interesting 24 hours.

I don't know the name but I'm on the highest point around and have the sweat pouring out of me to prove I've earned it! Of course, about 300 yards, from here is a parking lot...luckily I get to enjoy this alone. Quite spectacular views and the weather is decent. 2 more miles to the shelter then calling it a day.