Day 1: 6.6 miles (Pawling to 1457.8)

On the train to Pawling there were three other thru-hikers…or at least they were dressed like thru-hikers. A head nod on the train, resulted in a head nod once off the train, where we all went our separate ways…literally. We had food to mail forward, water bottles to fill, and phones to charge. Once all that was done, it was time to trudge out of town to Tony’s Deli for a sandwich to go. While normally we would have hitched to Tony’s, it appears that’s one illegal activity here in New York that is enforced and will actually get you into trouble.

Have sandwich, will Travel

Having not eaten anything but the cookies Hannah baked, an over-priced airport coffee and a few jerky pieces we dug out of our resupply box before boarding the flight from Chicago to LaGuardia, we were famished. Tony’s deli did not disappoint. The hoagies were stacked with delicousness. Before he handed us our sandwiches, he made a point to tell us in the thickest Boston (or maybe it was Maine) accent that he “loaded them up” for us. This was very much appreciated!

After devouring only half of the sandwich, which believe me, was more than enough, we packed away the other half and hit the road for our final mileage to our start of the Appalachian Trail. Of course, the start to the trail began with an uphill. Havent hiked a trail, so far, that doesn’t.  The trail followed a mowed path and over wooden ladder fences. It was still a bit warm and somewhat humid, but not difficult. We had 2 liters of water with us to drink, but in hindsight, were pretty certain we not fully hydrated as we should have been to start.

We traversed a field, where yellow finches took flight in droves of cascading waves as we passed. Our climb soon entered a green tunnel of overgrown vegetation. I do believe we are ahead of the “bubble”. Overgrowth turned to a series of wooden boardwalk paths atop muddy and marshy terrain, then back to dry roots and rocks.

After having been up for over 33 hours straight with our prep and travel, we decided to call it 3 miles into the trek around 7pm. It was actually the first open spot in which to set up our tent we found (and we had been looking…we were so tired). We considered the fact that water would be 2 miles further and a shelter another 1.5 after that, but we were too gased, and somewhat delirious to safely continue any further. Up went the tent. Down went the remaining half of sandwich. And out went the lights, the moment our heads touched our sleeping mats. The traffic noise from of a nearby road and a sounding train whistle, became muted, instantly.

Day 2: 12.8 miles (1457.8 – 1470)

When we awoke this morning, we both remarked that it was the best night’s sleep we’ve had in quite awhile. We are hoping that will continue.

The morning walk took us past storied rock walls in various stages of decline, as we traveled through the lush greenery, and then dropped down to water, before it climbed to the Wiley shelter, where we spoke briefly to a NOBO hiker, “Catch-Up”, who had started in April. We carried on our way, and then in no time were passed, as we expected. Oh to have hiking legs. We made fairly good time, and took a nice break around 1030 a.m. at the 10 mile bridge. We apparently missed the memo that you’re not supposed to drink from that river. Oh well.

So far, we are fairly bug free. Not sure if it’s the permethrin or it’s just not that bad. After the bridge, we had a lot of climbing that would have been sooo much better if we would had completed our normal 12-week training program.  That gives us 8 weeks to get in shape (on trail) before Katahdin. We got this!

As we have actually now passed into Connecticut,  there is NO dispersed camping allowed. Thus, one has to time their day’s mileage with shelters or approved campsites (privy, bear box, adjacent water). Most of the day is spent climbing with nary of view, with one exception.

By 5 pm, we are toast. While there’s a lot of daylight still left, there is no gas in the tank, especially to get to the next shelter or campsite. And looking at the elevation profile for the next day, we’d best be getting to resting.

The campsite we go to has several large sites, a bear box and a privy with a view. We set up. Change out to our sleep clothes, and get ready for a dehydrated meal. Thinking we have the campground to ourselves, we drop our packs into the bear box. No sooner do we do that, but two other hikers,  “Coyote” and “Catch-Up” (true to her name) shuffle in. Time to retrieve the packs and just leave the food bags. We won’t make that mistake again. Sleep comes easy once again.