On the weekend of June 12, Karen and I conquered another section of the North Country Trail. We now have completed 35 miles – about a third of the trail through the Allegheny National Forest – on our quest to hike the whole thing this summer. Once again, rain and mud were our companions for most of the second day. We both agreed that this section of trail would not be recommended or engaged by us again.
The weather was hot and muggy. We both had rain jackets but it would have been unbearable to wear them while hiking. With the humidity so high and nary a breeze, I had to take many breaks when the trail would climb a ridge. It seemed like forever before we reached our campsite, and I had convinced myself with several rationalizations that the mileage on the map was wrong. Comparing the mileage with the time it took to get to camp, we had only averaged a little over 1 mph, not a very respectable rate for even weekend hikers.
The campsite we found was lovely, however, and it had everything we needed: A level, wooded spot for pitching our tent, a stream nearby for filtering water, cooling our feet, and lulling us to sleep, and a ready-made fire ring for our campfire. Rain held off for most of the night and early morning allowing us to pack relatively dry. By mid-morning of the second day, the rain started again and increased until, at times, you could say it was a downpour. So we hiked on in the rain, there was little else we could do.
Karen in the rain
Except for the wet treacherous trail, it was almost fun to hike in the rain – it certainly kept us cooler – and when it would rain hard, the bugs would fly for cover and leave us alone for a while. Karen already had several welts on her legs and shoulders from bug bites, and along with scratches from berry briers, she looked pretty abused. The bugs didn’t bother me as much. I think I used more Deet than she did.
All serious hikers eventually take on a trail name. We have joked several times at different occasions with a name that defines us when we are on the trail and nothing has ever stuck. The thought once entered our minds that we should call ourselves “Hot” and “Muggy”, but it ended in a debate over which one should be “Hot”. Then on our last day we came up with the perfect name for Karen. Karen was always thrilled when she would spy a newt on the trail. She would crouch down and talk to the tiny creatures as if she was a newt herself, so, of course, her trail name has to be “Newt”. I, on the other hand, felt like this hike took a lot out of me and on some of the climbs all I could do was trudge. So my trail name became “Trudge”.
It may be a while before we do any more hiking. Karen will be busy for a while shuttling her boys to sports. Zack now has a job and it won’t be long before he gets his license. We have talked a little about having family and friends meet us for a weekend of camping and day hiking to join in on our quest. We will keep you informed.
So you now only have 4465 more miles to go to complete the whole NCT right? I’d love to do some of it, but not sure I could carry a pack that weighs almost as much as I do. I love that picture of Karen in the rain!
Who took the picture of the two of you? Automatic camera, or another hiker?
I’ve done a little hiking in the rain up in the Sierras and Rockies, but it’s usually cool enough that you can wear rain gear. I can’t imaging hiking hot and wet, but I imagine once you surrender to it, it’s probably not too bad.
I’d like to come on your “weekend of camping”, but it’s a little far to come just for a weekend.
Will Karen please take a picture of a newt for me? I say “Karen”, because I remember you saying that they are orange and you can’t see them. I have no idea what they look like.
Mom – The newt looks just like a salamander only orange. They are about 2 inches long. Karen has a lot of pictures I’m sure see will send you one when she reads this.
Daryl – I downloaded an app that puts a timer on my iPhone camera. Then I made a little bracket that goes on my trecking pole and holds the camera. Your right that it would be to far to come for the weekend. Karen and I are already planning on hiking out west with you this fall, sorry we still can’t get spacific on a date yet.
That’s great — I wasn’t sure you were coming.
I wondered about the signature on one of your recent emails. I noticed it said “From Trudge’s iPhone” or something similar.
Karen sent me a couple pictures of Newts. All I can say is, “Step on ’em, Trudge. Ugly critters!”