Today’s Miles: 13.7
Trip Miles: 1274.5
“Well, we’re living here in Allentown,
And they’re closing all the factories down,
Out in Bethlehem, they’re killing time,
Filling out forms,
Standing in line” – Billy Joel
Up at 5:10. On trail at 6:15. 53 degrees this morning. Clear, breezy, low 80s. Great weather.
We only have 13.7 miles today to meet Dana with a big climb down and back up at the Lehigh River. Hoping to be done at 3:00.
Water cache at 7:35 and 2.4 miles. We were banking on this! The trail angle, Mary Poppins, who maintains this, is a lifesaver. Started the hike today with only .7 liters.
Back on trail at 8:00.
This descent and ascent will be the highlight of the day.
Nice views down on Palmerton. You can see the old steel works. Very near Allentown and Bethlehem, PA.
Stopped at George W. Outerbridge Shelter at 10:30 for a break and to fill up on water. It’s an old shelter in so-so shape. We have 6 miles to go.
Mosey showed up as we were getting ready to leave. This may be the last time we will see her as she is flipping to Maine from Delaware Water Gap. We might catch up to her again before that, but the Water Gap is only 2 short days away.
We descended to the Lehigh River and crossed via a road walk.
The ascent up Blue Mountain was one hell of a rock scramble. Any steeper and I would need pitons and some clothesline! Love it when you can reach out and touch the trail right in front of you. Yes, it’s that steep.
We made it to the top in one piece…barely.
After some more vertical climbs, we stopped for a well-deserved break.
Got to Blue Mountain Drive about 3:45. Dana brought 3 gallons of water that we labeled and left for Mosey. She is camping about 3 miles further but no water for another 10 miles or more.
Went to resupply at Walmart then checked in at Motel 6. Got showered and met J and Dave for dinner. Back to hotel about 9:00. Got my food packed up for the next several days. J is picking us up at 7:15, so I got as much ready for tomorrow as possible. Dana and I watched the Olympics until 11:00.
Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Chips Ahoy 120
- Chips Ahoy 240
- Skittles 100
- Turkey sticks 240
- Trail mix 100
- Trail mix 270
- Beef Bites 300
- Chips Ahoy 360
- Dr. Pepper 240
- Peanut butter crackers 220
- Mini donuts 120
- Dinner 3500
- Drinks 1000
- Water liters 2.7
- Miles 13.7
- Time 10
- Elevation gain 2008
- Calories consumed 7000
- Calories burned 6000
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