Flip Flop Hikers: inchworm

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Sprout Day 136 (Wednesday, August 10th, 2016)

We went 10.7 miles and had a great day. It was tough but it was still a good day. Last night we stayed at the Redington Stream Campsite. When we got there we noticed a lot of people camping and later realized there was a group of French Canadian girls from a camp staying there. I love seeing young people out on the trail but we didn't have the best experience with this group. They got up at 1:30 and started packing loudly and shining their lights everywhere! It felt like they were shining right at our tents. Later in the day we heard they were going up Saddleback Mountain to see the sunrise. I normally don't complain about young people being on the trail but I think they needed to be a little more respectful of other hikers trying to sleep! I think they probably should've stayed somewhere else on the trail where there were not a lot of hikers who were trying to sleep to get rest. They were also signing really loud as a group right before bed. That was kind of annoying but they weren't up too late so it didn't really bother us, the wake up call at 1:30 was a little much though. I couldn't really fall back to sleep after that. I laid there trying to sleep but eventually had to get up to pee.

We ended up getting up at 5:00, packing up, and heading out. It was nice and cool in the morning which was perfect for climbing up Saddleback Junior. It warmed up later in the day and got a little humid. I was able to fish in Orbeton stream. There were a few deep spots which were perfect for brook trout. I almost had a couple but they were on to me and knew what I was doing! I was just happy for an opportunity to get the fishing pole out!

We were in the area where the hiker Inchworm went missing a couple years ago. She got off trail to pee and became lost. She was only a mile off trail but rescue teams were unable to find her. It made me think of how dangerous the woods can be here and how careful you have to be. The best thing to do is not stray too far from the trail to pee. Also, if you get hurt to just set up camp and stay where you are. That's your best chance at getting found. The forest is so rough and the terrain is so wild that it would be nearly impossible for anyone to find you if you got of trail. I feel bad for her and her family. It's a terrible story but one that must be heard to prevent future problems.

We're staying at Spaulding Mountain Lean-to tonight and were actually with the group of boys from the same camp as the French-Canadian girls. They seem to be a lot more quiet and said they weren't getting up to catch a sunrise in the morning so everything should be fine! At least I should sleep good tonight, haha. We're getting up early, making breakfast, and trying to get a good start on our hike. Not sure how far we're going tomorrow and it’s supposed to be a difficult day. We start off with Spaulding Mountain and then have to go over South Crocker Mountain and North Crocker Mountain.

White blazes down the trail

Saddleback Junior

Moose Tracks (and not the ice cream kind!)

Poplar Ridge

Moss on a boulder

Stream and pond

Bubbles coming up the trail

Boardwalk on the trial today with a tree cut

"Bridge" over the trail today

Lone Mountain

Day: 136

Miles hiked: 10.7

Total Miles hiked on the trail: 1126.1

Bears: 0

Bluegill: 2

Butterflies: 8

Chipmunks: 3

Cows: 24

Crawfish: 1

Deer: 20

Donkeys: 2

Grouse: 1

Horses: 15

Hummingbird: 1

Inchworm: 1

Really Big Dog: 1

Mice: 2

Nest of bugs: 2

Newts: 2

Owl: 1

Rabbit: 1

Skunk: 1

Snail: 1

Snake: 2

Squirrels: 11

Toads: 3

Trout: 2

Turkeys: 4

Turtles: 107

Vultures: 6

Woodpecker: 1

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Sprout Day 30 (Tuesday, April 26, 2016)

We got a later start than normal today. We busted out 18 miles yesterday and only had 7.3 today so we took it easy getting out of camp. We slept in until 8:30, made a batch of coffee, and called to talk to family until a little after 11:00. I bet if we knew that there would be a rain storm coming later that day we would've left camp earlier!

About two miles out of the shelter Bubbles and I heard thunder off in the distance. Not too long after the thunder we felt the rain. It started off slow but by the end of the storm it was really coming down and raining really hard. It was so hot and humid earlier in the day that I didn't even bother with a rain coat. I just put my pack cover on and kept on walking. Shortly after the rain the sun came out and it felt really good.

There's a warning that porcupines like to party in this shelter! They took the stairs down because they were so bad. I don't know what a porcupine sounds like but as I'm writing this journal there's a weird noise outside. What sound does a porcupine make? We're staying in the shelter tonight because there wasn't a good spot to put a tent up here. Maybe the noise is a porcupine, haha, I don't even know what I'd expect one to sound like.

Partying Porcupines!

Earlier in the day, before the rain, it was a perfect, unforgettable hiking day. The mountains were rolling hills through this part of the trail, huge rolling hills. The sky was blue and the clouds were big and puffy. The sun was shining bright and you could see how fast the clouds were moving from the dark shadows on the trees. It was a beautiful sight to see. At one point Maggie even said, “I'll never forget this day.” Funny coincidence, as soon as she said that we got a huge whiff of what could only be a dead rotting animal! We later found out that it was a rotting deer next to the trail, haha. even with that awful smell it was a great place to be!

Not too many animals to mention today. We had a toad and a bunny at camp right before bed. We also saw an inchworm while we were taking a break on a log.

Tomorrow we are hiking into Duncannon. We are picking up a special delivery from Poppa Lip. We were hoping and thinking that getting a bigger size boot was going to help Maggie's feet feel better but it didn't help at all. Poppa Lip ordered her a couple of different hiking shoes to try and had them overnighted to the next town. Hopefully one of the pair work for her. I know she's not liking the boots. We are also going to stay at the Doyle. It's an iconic stop along the AT and has been a hikers stop for many years. If we are stopping in towns I would prefer it be at a stop like tomorrow (staying at a hostel or traditional hiking spot rather than a chain hotel) or anywhere if we are meeting family! We also got a message from Ox. He is going to be passing through Duncannon tomorrow! He wants to have a late lunch so we are super excited. I'm glad he's back on the trail and is doing well and I can't wait to see him tomorrow!