The Appalachian trail in this section of Pennsylvania is known for rock formations so large that at times the trekking poles have to be strapped to the backpack just to climb up the boulders. Some have called it one big river of rocks.
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| The rocky climb out of Palmerton, PA |
Tom has found this to be true. In fact, while hiking one of the boulder fields the rocks got the best of one of his Black Diamond trekking poles as you can see by the photo. He says he did not slip though and can replace them when he gets to Delaware Water Gap tomorrow.
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| Broken trekking pole tip |
The other challenge in this area of the trail is finding clean drinking water as a result of heavy zinc mining in years past on Blue Mountain.
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| signage at superfund clean up site-but the gate was open |
The area is now an Environmental Superfund cleanup site so care is needed particularly with drinking water. Tom went 15 miles between water sources so he carried 3 liters instead of 2 through the area.
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| cool morning spider web |
He stayed at a cool campground a few days ago called Eckville Visitor Center which had solar showers and real plumbing which was a treat I am told!
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| Eckville Visitors Center with Solar shower |
Tom found some "trail magic" again yesterday. Just as he was nearing Palmerton someone had left a stash of food which included some Entenmann's Danish treats, snacks and bananas. That brought a smile to his face.
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| trail magic |
Just as he was trying to figure how to make it the 2 miles into town, a day hiker struck up a conversation with him and offered him a ride into town. It was just in time to shower and watch the US-Germany World Cup game at one of the local restaurants. Palmerton is a unique town because they have a former county jail site now renovated for use by thru hikers that is in the basement of the Borough Hall. Once you check in at town hall and are given a welcome package you are then free to shower and stash you gear in the basement bunk room of the hostel and stay for no charge. The local laundromat was just across the street. They also welcomed hikers at the library. Tom tells me the mayor paid the visitors a visit in the hostel.
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| Palmerton Borough Hall-Jail house hostel is in basement |
Tom enjoyed a Dunkin Donuts coffee and croissant before leaving town and was feeling good about the town and its friendly people. About that time a resident walking his dog stopped to chat and because he had always wanted to hike the AT himself, he paid for Tom's breakfast. Then it was icing on the cake for another town resident stop and offer him a lift back up the hill to the trail. Typically it is a downhill walk to get into the trail towns, in this case it was 2 miles, and to have a ride going back up was a treat for sure. Tomorrow Tom will be arriving into Delaware Water Gap, the same day the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is officially naming the city as an "Appalachian Trail Community."
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| Delaware Water Gap |
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