Today’s Miles: 18.2
Trip Miles: 1146.9
“Working on the highway, laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway, all day long I don’t stop
Working on the highway, blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway” – Bruce Springsteen
Up at 6:00… everything is wet from rain last night. Still drizzling this morning but should stop any time, partly cloudy and mud 80s today. We want to get to Boiling Springs by 9:00. Looking forward to coffee and breakfast. Will find a place to dry out tent and clothes in the afternoon when the sun comes out. On trail at 7:15.
Started hiking through farmland at 8:20. Very different vibe.
Reached the outskirts of Boiling Springs at 8:50. Lots of train traffic here, hence why we DID NOT camp here last night.
Ate breakfast on the patio at Cafe 101. Wonderful. I’ve been here before and love this place. We had company as well.
Stopped at the old and now abandoned ATC building to rearrange packs and fill up on water. We have a 14-mile stretch with no water ahead of us. On trail at 10:25.
Stopped for a break at 12:20 at mile 9.2 for today. Just over halfway. Nice easy hike through farm fields most of today. Sun is mostly staying behind the clouds, but it is humid, could be a lot worse. Back on trail at 12:50.
Today is an odd mix of farm fields and major highways.
Crossed the PA turnpike at 1:30.
Crossed US11 at Carlisle, PA.
Mile 12.8 – Mennonite farm stand with Gatorade and fresh fruit. Yum.
Crossed I-81 again at 2:55.
Hiked through more fields and pastures.
Stopped at the Scott Farm Work Center, an ATC facility, at 3:40 to dry out our tents from last night’s rain. It’s an old farmhouse, barn, and various outbuildings used by the ATC and the local AT club for maintaining the trail and holding events.
We have 4.1 miles to camp and the last 2.6 are nasty. I know from experience as I section hiked this area last fall. Should be at camp by 7:00.
View near the top looking south at Carlisle and I-81.
Got to Darlington shelter at 6:40. The last mile up was very tough as we were each carrying 4 liters of water! It’s dry out here!!
Overkill is tenting and so far I have the shelter to myself. It’s a big shelter with bunks and room for 10. Got a clothesline set up and trying to dry clothes from today and last night’s rain.
Ate dinner and dried clothes. Read till 9:30 and then tried to sleep.
Just 10.6 miles into Duncannon tomorrow. One big climb and one nasty rocky descent into town. Plan to sleep in a bit so should be in town by 2:00.
Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tart 370
- Large latte 230
- Large latte 230
- Large OJ 240
- Breakfast 1500
- Skittles 50
- Combos 240
- Combos 240
- Gatorade 140
- Skittles 50
- Dehydrated chicken 170
- Ramen x2 740
- Cookies 420
- Honey Stinger 140
- Water liters 5
- Miles 18.6
- Time 11:30
- Elevation gain 1925
- Calories consumed 4760
- Calories burned 6800
Leave a Reply