Oh, PA... ask any AT hiker about Pennsylvania and you might get some interesting looks. When looking at the hiker bible (our AWOL guidebook), PA looks like it is going to be a breeze! Miles and miles of hardly any elevation change. We all shared our ideas with each other that we were going to be doing "BIG MILES!" and breeze through this section. However, we soon realized that wasn't going to be the case. While we hardly even rose above 2000 feet, it seemed we were having 2000 daggers into our feet. This was by far the rockiest state. We had to look down constantly to plan our route over these sharp and plentiful pieces of earth. After a 15 mile day, our legs were wanting more but our feet were screaming for a break. Most hikers would have no problem letting you know that PA was one of their least favorite states.
Fortunately, we got some relief in the form of family and food. Teton's aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins came to pick us up at Pen Mar County Park right on the border of MD and PA where we were taken to a lovely buffet. Then, they hiked with us for a few miles where we caught a bit of a drizzle storm. They were troopers and wanted to keep going on! After exploring the terrain and taking plenty of photos, we headed back to the Park to bid them farewell. But, it wasn't the last time we would see them on this trip. They decided to pick us up again a few days later to take us out for some of the best pizza we had on the trail in Mt. Holly Springs. Kerry, John, Kinsey, and Kate told us of their travels through PA and brought us gifts in the form of fruit and chips! YUM. They knew just what a hiker needs. A big thank you to all of you for the visit!
PA wasn't all hardship. This state is home of the infamous "half-gallon challenge" at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Hikers pass this general store on their way north and get a chance to try eating a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting. When we arrived in the afternoon, we walked up to plenty of hiker trash sitting out on the patio, looking semi-nauseous. Many had just completed the challenge and were onto ordering their cheeseburgers and fries for dessert. Teton and I walked in to scope out our flavor options for the challenge which were quite picked through. I grabbed the Neapolitan while Teton was stuck with Butter Pecan or Dark Chocolate. He chose the Butter Pecan and failed to complete the challenge while I worked my way through the whole container, relieved and feeling quite victorious when it was gone. Was it enjoyable? Not really. But I can now say I am a member of the half-gallon challenge! Then it was time to move on to an egg sandwich and some soda. We also visited the AT Museum where artifacts of pioneer hikers and past thru-hiker photos are displayed. Then, we took a swim at Fuller Lake and camped just a mile or so up the trail to digest.
More food treats in PA included a stop at Caledonia State Park where there was a swimming pool concessions with fried food and more ice cream. We stopped in the town of Boiling Springs, PA where we had a delicious breakfast (our favorite trail meal!) at Cafe 101 for Teton's 25th birthday followed by a visit to Duncanon, PA. This trail town welcomes hikers with open arms and open bars. Fellow hiker friends helped us celebrate his birthday with drinks and dancing at The Pub followed by a hotel room party at the Doyle Hotel. The Doyle was another infamous part of this state, cheap prices for cheap rooms... luckily we didn't fall through the shower floor or get bed bugs!!! PA had some shelters with caretakers on site and pizza delivery which we indulged in a time or two. Port Clinton and Hamburg, PA were two towns close to each other that we visited as well. A section hiker from '05 gave us a ride into Hamburg where he treated us to burgers at Five Guys where we swapped stories of our hikes while we feasted on fries with other hikers. Hamburg also had a Cabela's that we explored for a while, picking up a few needed items and then we headed back to Port Clinton just a few miles away to camp at the free site in town.
One of the greatest parts of PA was right after Lehigh Gap where we had a tall boulder climb overlooking the valley for some of the best views in the state. We stayed up there for quite awhile to dry off some of our wet stinky clothes and relax. Another town stop, and one of our favorites, in PA was Wind Gap where we did laundry and then crossed the road to a local bar that allows hikers to camp in the back. The Beer Stein also had a small trailer on site where hikers could shower for a small fee and even sleep in if they wanted. We set up, showered, and headed inside for food and fun with other hiker friends. After some of the best burgers and beers so far, we went in the tent to sleep, with the best part of the visit yet to come. The owner of this bar opens his kitchen to hikers for 30 minutes in the morning, allowing us to cook ANYTHING we want for breakfast from their kitchen. The only things off limits was seafood, and who wants seafood for breakfast? I think there were about 10 of us that needed to figure out how to get as much delicious food as we could prepared in 30 minutes. Each person sort of took over one task and we ended up making a feast. Eggs with vegetables and cheese, fresh toast, guacamole, pancakes, toast, coffee, and much more was brought out onto the patio for a buffet-like breakfast. What a treat!
Passing through Delaware Water Gap and crossing the Delaware River Bridge took us out of PA and into New Jersey. More to come about the next few states soon!!
**Currently, we are in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and have just 345 miles to go! We will be hiking over Mt. Washington in the next few days! I am trying to get caught up on blog posts as I have time! Check out our instagram for current photos @thewildoutsiders which should also be scrolling at the bottom of this webpage.
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