Project Eveningland

7/2/2023 Sunday

If I didn’t think these rocks would abate soon, I would quit this godsdamn trail right now. The rains came before I woke up this morning. Took me extra time to break down and head to the shelter for breakfast.

It wasn’t supposed to rain hard this morning but it did. Luckily I was delayed at the shelter until the heavy stuff came. I waited out the storm with Beefcake (that’s a trail name) then hit the trail just before ten. I saw a neato lizard on my way out of camp—see picture below.

I love wet rocks. I love walking on them, slipping on them, falling onto them, and especially destroying tent stakes against them.

It’s hard to describe the conditions. Everything is wet but the rain has stopped. There are so many bugs that I had to reapply my nuclear ten-hour DEET twice. The humidity is at times stunning. The sweat clings to every part of me, a thick, slippery coating that won’t dry. There just isn’t enough air movement. Sultry. Conditions are sultry.

I came upon some extensive trail magic right at lunchtime. Honestly the comfy chair would have been magic enough for this weary hiker. The guy does trail magic every day through most of July. Retired chem teacher. Moose, his trail name is Moose. He’s got a little powered cooler full of ice cream! Great guy, but what kind of monster puts olives on sandwiches? Untenable!

As the day wore on no storms came but my morale tanked. It’s hot as hell, wet as hell, and those rocks! But the bright side is that I’ll feel like an ubermensch when I hit normal terrain again.

Lots of day hikers in groups as I approached High Point. Eight boys in an unidentified youth group—who were just rolling in as I passed through Mashipacong—looked about ready to drop dead under their heavy gear.

I walked another .2 miles to get to a parking lot. A friend is picking me up today! Will be nice to feel dry, even if just for a little while.