We hiked this section on March 6, 2010.
Saturday
Total hike time: 5 hours 43 minutes
Python’s hike stats: 2,434 calories burned. 73 min HR , 154 max HR, 118 avg HR .
Dirigo, B2, and I joined the Allentown Hiking Club today. The original hike from Bake Oven Knob was scrapped because the parking lots were not accessible. So, the club decided to hike from Smith Gap to Wind Gap.
Dirigo and I cannot say enough wonderful things about the hike leader Janet!
She finished hiking the AT in 2009 after section hiking for 16 years! She actually ended her hiking at Harpers Ferry – too bad we were not volunteering at the ATC on that day.
One hiker asked if her feet would get wet today. Janet said in a soft but firm voice that yes her feet will get wet today but she will survive. We were lucky to have Janet as the hike leader.
A total of ten hikers started on the trail just before 10:30 AM with Janet in the lead and the co-leader Dirigo as the sweep. It was a beautiful sunny day with very little wind. The trail was covered in snow but previous hikers had broken down the snow for us. In some cases it was easier to walk outside the broken snow because we did not slide in the slushy snow.
The group stopped several times to look at animal tracks (probably deer) and the dead trees around us. We really enjoyed talking with the other hikers and sharing our love of the trail.
We stopped for lunch at the Leroy Smith shelter which is maintained by the AMC.
Leroy Smith Shelter
This is a small shelter with a very clean privy. We ate lunch on the rocks and enjoyed the warm sunny day. Janet offered everyone a piece of chocolate and Sandy gave me a big bar of Cadbury dark chocolate to thank me for lending her my winter gaiters. We love the Allentown hikers!
After lunch we continued to the 2nd powerline and took group photos. A little bit after this Janet saw that the snow on the trail had not been broken. Since it was taking us 1 hour per mile, the hike leaders wisely decided to turn around instead of continuing to Wind Gap. I think everyone in the group agreed this was a wise plan.
Janet then split us into 2 group to head back to Smith Gap. Janet told the faster group to leave when they got back to Smith Gap (instead of waiting for us). We took our time heading back because B2 was having trouble with her ankles. Sandy even offered to carry her backpack to ease the pressure on her ankles. Boy were we shocked to see the fast group waiting for us at the Smith Gap parking lot!
On the ride back to Wind Gap, Cindy asked us why we started hiking the AT. I told her that Dirigo had brought me along on a trip to Bears Den and we hiked on some trail with white blazes. I did not think it was any big deal (at the time).
I think the more interesting question is why I continue to hike the AT. Hiking the AT is not always easy for me; in fact it is quite hard at times. But I continue to hike the AT because it has taught me to be G.R.E.A.T. Let me explain…
Gracious (characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit). A great example of graciousness is the Allentown Hiking Club. They welcome complete strangers to their group, offer them chocolate and good company, and always look out for each other.
Responsible (able to answer for one’s conduct and obligation). I have learned to take full responsibility for my safety when I step onto the trail. I have learned that I can’t always control what the trail throws at me but I am responsible for keeping my composure at all times.
Egoless. Egotism is “the practice of talking about oneself too much.” I have learned to shut my mouth and listen to people who are wiser and braver than me. I have been humbled and inspired by many women such as Janet, Midnight, Possum, etc.
Awed (an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime). I am still in awe of the beauty of the trail. I am still in awe of seeing Franconia Ridge with my own eyes. What the hell is veneration?
Tenacious (persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired). I have learned that I cannot give up; sometimes it is not even an option on the trail. You have to get yourself off a mountain top before a thunderstorm, you have to get to the next shelter, you have to find water, you have to put one foot in front of the other.
Sunday
Total hike time: 6 hours 42 minutes
Python’s hike stats: 2,695 calories burned. 81 min HR , 156 max HR, 115 avg HR .
It is funny what motivates you to do certain things. Today is a Hike for Spite. Today we hike to silence the naysayers. Pain is in the effort!!!
We got an early start with DK donut and diet coke and crossed under PA 33 in Wind Gap. We ascended up a series of steps and switchbacks and we crossed a power line and started a pretty steep accent but we handled it with ease.
We both could tell that it was a very rocky section even though the snow and ice were covering any rocks. Dirigo had put Python's short snowshoes in her pack so we were ready for anything. BRING IT ON !
We decided to forgo going to Lookout Rocks as we didn't know how long this hike might take. We went off to the side of the ridge where the path was very narrow and icy. We both pulled ourselves up over some rocks and came to Hahn's overlook. It was a very beautiful day and you could see for miles.
At this point there were no more foot prints. Nothing. Ok, maybe a deer, but nothing of human nature. Up until this point we knew someone had been hiking but with the thaw and re-freeze of the snow it was like making our own path, but this was nothing,no one had broken the trail.
Dirigo thought about putting on the snowshoe but we forged ahead. We would hike along on top of the snow, and then bang, when you least expected it, down you went, up to your knees. We had to laugh cause it was rather funny. We came to a white blaze that was almost at snowline. The drifts were half way up some of the trees.
We saw some tracks in the snow that we could not identify. I know it wasn't a deer but it was a larger animal, but not a dog. We thought maybe a small bear, but bears are hibernating, so it could have been a cat? Maybe a bobcat? We need to get an animal tracks book.
We came to a pipeline and hiked across a field and there was this fence that you had to go through a gate. It seemed very out of place.
We started to ascend the ridge again and Python said she was getting tired and so was Dirigo. We looked at the map and the powerline looked to be only about .5 miles ahead. We decided to keep on hiking until our drop dead turn around time of 11:30am. We were afraid after yesterday that we might be dealing with dark, so we made sure we had a plan.
After the accent we hiked on the ridge and Dirigo said I see the Tower and Python said "Don't lie to me". Dirigo, "no really I see it". Python kept looking but still didn't see it. Finally a little more hiking and there it was. We made it and before our dropped dead turn around time.
We thought that going back would take forever as we didn't want it to be like yesterday so we didn't stay long. The hike back was not as bad as we thought but the snow was really melting and the sun was getting very hot. We would take a step and down we would go.
At one point we both were so hot Dirigo said that she wished she had zip off pants cause they both decided it would be great hiking in shorts and snow. Dirigo started to unzip her winter hiking pants as they have zippers in the back, but it exposes her butt. As she was doing this, 3 young men with backpacks started towards us. Ok, no bare butt hiking today!
The 3 guys said they were wondering who's were the only foot prints in the snow. We told them about yesterday and that now they have a path all the way to Smith Gap.
We stopped at Hahn's overlook on the way back for a break, but since we had taken off our fleece we started to get chilled so we started moving again.
Dirigo went up to Lookout Rock to take some pictures on the way back. The descent into Wind Gap felt like we were skiing down the mountain, slip and slide.
Finally, another section done. This has been a long winter.
