ZERO IN GLENWOOD LAKE

AT Day 081: Tuesday June 27, 2023

Mile 1375 + 0 miles/km

Total Distance Hiked: 1375.5 miles/2213 km

Today was an unplanned, but so much needed, rest day in the beautiful small village of Greenwood Lake. After yesterday we realized there is a fine line between getting the job of finishing the hike done and  being foolhardy and taking too many risks. Hammer was seriously concerned by the lightning while we were on the ridge yesterday. We knew what we had to do but it was hard to carry it out in the brief moment we had before the thunder and lightening  and string winds were directly overhead.  So after briefly taking cover on lower ground we took the risk and scurried over the rocky ridge on a wing and a prayer. And we got lucky. 

It was taxing mentally more then physically. And meeting Bill yesterday was a reminder that we needed to take time out and regroup and refresh otherwise this trail will defeat us. Hammer recons he’ll be fine but I am struggling with the risk to reward ratio, especially after all I’ve been through with the knee surgeries.  After the falls a few days ago we are both more cautious. Hammer had recovered without any ongoing issues. I still have a bruised toe with an enormous blood blister underneath it.  With all the wet weather I really don’t want any broken skin on my feet and possible infections. Hopefully a rest day will help it to heal a little bit more. 

So today we decided not to battle another rainy day on trail but we stayed in town ate pizza, had a beer and watched James Bond movies on TV.  Something we rarely ever do, watch TV in the daytime that is. It felt decadent. Especially since the weather was wet with drizzly rain for much of the day. A thunderstorm arrived in the late afternoon. From the village the surrounding mountain tops were covered in a low hanging mist. So we know we were not missing on seeing any spectacular views from up there. 

Apparently from the ridge we hiked yesterday, you can see the New York city skyline on a good day.  A couple of other hikers staying here decided to slackpack a section of trail today and come back to stay overnight. 

Greenwood Lake looks like a lovely small community with everything a holiday maker would need. I found the best coffee I’ve had in ages in town so all around we are happy campers. Regrouped, re-energised and ready to tackle the remaining 814 miles. 

And now a few words from Hammer. 

Musings and Reflections on New Jersey 

We left Pennsylvania and entered New Jersey halfway across the Delaware River. We crossed the river on a pedestrian path alongside the very busy Interstate 80. The speeding cars and trucks passing caused a bit of flex in the bridge. This was an interesting welcome to New Jersey.

In New Jersey the hills seemed smaller but the rocks were much more slippery when wet. I managed two falls: first time my feet simply went out from under me and down I crashed. I got my poles out to ensure it didn’t happen again but within an hour I crashed again this time landing on one of my carbon fibre poles which ended up in two pieces. It was then a matter of gingerly moving across the rocks or aiming for the cracks in the rock for more secure foot. It worked most of the time, with only a few slides but no more falls.

The hike so far feels like it has been wearing down our bodies as well as our gear. Our feet have taken a particular pounding due to the rocky nature of the trail.

It has been surprising that most of our gear is failing around the same time. First it was the stove, which has given many years of good service but eventually the thread that attaches the stove to the gas bottle was stripped and no connection was possible. It was easily replaced in Pearisburg.

Next was the leaky tent which was repaired with some tenacious tape. The tape appeared to do the job but Corky had lost trust in the tent to keep us dry. We were going to replace the tent before returning home, so it really just brought the purchase forward. As I lay here typing this with quite torrential rainfall pounding the new tent and we are comfortable and dry, it was a great idea to replace the tent. Especially since it is predicted to rain for the next two weeks.

The next failure was the water filter.  We have been using a  4L Platypus filter. It has worked reasonably well over the years. Unfortunately the clean water bag split and again tenacious tape came to the rescue. It probably would have survived to Katahdin but the filter is near the end of its lifespan and I have been eying off a Katadyn Befree filtering system which we ended up getting from Cabela Outfitters in Hamburg. 

So far I have had several comments regarding my Osprey Exos pack such as did your pack get attacked by a bear/raccoon. The pack has had a number of home repairs done to it and it still functions OK. I recently looked up Osprey’s guarantee and was surprised to see they have a Lifetime guarantee. I am still not sure if I have the chutzpah to send my weary pack in for their assessment. I have 800 miles to make a decision.

As the gear is failing I feel my body is as well. Most of the time I’m struggling to keep up with Corky, especially on the climbs.  It seems it was not that long ago I could manage to turn up on a Sunday long run with my running club and run 30km/20miles on little training. Before leaving home I was finding 20km was about my limit.  If only I could replace the legs with a newer pair like the rest of our equipment.

Thats it from me, until New York.