Day 94 – campsite at 1093.5 to Pine Grove Furnace 

“I have *had* it with these motherfucking *snakes* on this motherfucking *plane*!” – Samuel L. Jackson

Up at 6:50. Packed up and on the trail at 7:50. We have 2 miles to get water, then another 9.6 to Pine Grove Furnace. 

Clear, no wind, heading up high 90s.

Got to Birch Run shelter at 8:35. Very easy, slightly downhill walk. Loaded up on water and headed out at 9:00.

Stopped at Dead Woman’s Hollow Road at 10:00 for food and water. It’s getting quite hot out here 🙁

Reached the halfway mark at 10:35. Wooo hooo!!!!

At 1:15, we reached the 1100-mile mark.

Another day, another rattlesnake. WTF! This is 3 days in a row. This guy was stretched out about 2 feet off the trail and rattled when I walked near. 

Reached Tom’s Run shelter at 12:05. It’s seriously hot out. We are going to break for a while with fresh water and shade.

This is the way.

Arrived at Iron Masters house / hostel in Pine Grove Furnace at 2:30.  Checked in, changed into dry clothes. And walked next door for our first dinner. Good 1/3 lb burger with a fried egg, bacon, and a fried onion. Back for our second dinner later.

Did laundry and researched new backpacks. I know what I need to buy, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. For the weight I’m carrying and the age of my body, I need. To move away from the ultra-light packs (under 2.5 lbs) and move to a beefier pack (4.5 lbs) with a more robust internal frame and a much heavier hip belt. Fortunately, there is a REI near where I will be on Saturday, and I have family visiting, and that REI has what I need in stock. I’ll be moving to an Osprey Atmos AG 65.

My hope is this will solve my back issues. At this point, I can deal with the extra 2-3 lbs of weight. Also, I ordered a water bottle holder and a phone pouch to mount on chest straps. My family will bring those on Saturday.

Second dinner was a bacon ranch wrap and 3 Gatorades. I just can’t quench my thirst tonight. Go figure.

Some major milestones today:

• Past the halfway point!
• Past 1100 miles!
• Hottest day on the trail. Hiked in 99-degree heat (104 feels like)
• Ran into my 3rd rattlesnake in 3 days.

Talked briefly to Dana. Bad connections. Got my umbrella rigged up on my Swift X pack and prepped food for tomorrow. Paid a few July bills. Not tired but will try to get to bed around 10:00.

Technical Notes:

• Pop-Tart 370
• Skittles 100
• Crackers 190
• Zero-sugar sausage 120
• Skittles 75
• Payday 240
• Zero-sugar sausage 120
• Skittles 50
• Burger with bacon and egg 750
• Sodas x3 450
• Ice cream sandwich 430
• Root beer x2 320
• Bacon chicken ranch 600
• Gatorade 140
• Gatorade 140
• Gatorade 140
• Water liters 5.4
• Miles 11.8
• Time 7
• Elevation gain 910
• Calories consumed 4780
• Calories burned 5750