#20 Fayetville to Duncannon

7/5: We ate breakfast at a local diner and it was so delicious! Hawk got an omelette and Survivor got eggs and a giant pancake. We got a ride back to the trailhead, and it was nice for a little bit, but then the trail went up and there were stairs. It was super humid and we were super sweaty. We finally got up the big mountain and stopped to filter some water and take a snack break. There was a bench so we stayed for a little bit. After a while of hiking through the icky heat, it started to rain and we were so grateful. It hasn’t rained in a while, and the water sources needed some help! We stopped at the shelter about 10 miles from where we started, to assess whether we stayed there or keep going. We decided to keep hiking because the cool rain was a lot easier to hike in than the heat, and we wanted to take advantage while we had it. We went about two miles when we came across a gentleman giving out trail magic in a parking lot. We drank cold lemonade and ate corn on the cob, which was awesome! Then we hiked a few more miles right before the shelter where there was a nice mossy area for us to camp. We realized we had missed the sign for half way, so we were bummed, until we saw someone had made one with stones right by our campsite!

We ate chicken flavored rice for dinner, and tried to do it quick because there was thunder in the distance. Once we were done and everything was safe in our tent, it started to rain, but that’s ok because we went to sleep with the pitter patter on our tent, happy to be dry.

7/6: it rained most of the night, but it stopped in the morning. We were excited to hike because in less than 4 miles, there was a general store on trail and we were going to attempt the half gallon challenge- which is to eat a half gallon of ice cream. We ate half of a granola bar for breakfast so we didn’t fill up, and hiked quickly to the store. Nowadays a half gallon container of ice cream is actually 1.5 quarts, or 3/4 of a half gallon. So we both grabbed a big container of Neapolitan out of the freezer, started a timer, and watched Netflix as we ate. Hawk got off to a strong start and Survivor wasn’t far behind. After 30 minutes though, the tables had turned. Hawk was slowing down and Survivor was eating away at the island of ice cream. It was a tough go, but after 45 minutes, Survivor finished the 1.5 quarts! Hawk had ice cream soup that she couldn’t fathom eating another bite of. Then Survivor had to eat another pint of ice cream, and she chose Butter Pecan because it was most unlike what she had already eaten. It was a battle, and Hawk may have helped a little, but Survivor did it!

She got a wooden spoon thing to commemorate her accomplishment and we sat to digest and take time to reflect on if it was a good idea (doubtful). Anyway, we checked out the AT museum and then started hiking in the sticky and humid air for about 7 more miles. The trail wasn’t too bad- mostly rocky, but we were used to it. We made it to camp sweaty and wishing we had a cold shower. The forecast obliged and as soon as Hawk came back from collecting water, it started to downpour. Hawk ate a ramen bomb for dinner and Survivor had some snacks because she was still pretty full from the gigantic amount of ice cream. We chatted with a dad who was on a hiking trip with his family until we were too tired and went to sleep, listening to the occasional rumble of thunder from the shelter that we had alllll to ourselves!

7/7: We started hiking a little later than usual because we only had about 12 miles until Boiling Springs. It was very humid though and we took lots of water breaks. The hike was fine when we were on the ground, but at one point, the trail was covered with giant boulders. So instead of hiking, we took a break to do some rock climbing. We had to take off our packs to climb up a few large rocks. It was like a puzzle of what route to take, and it felt so satisfying to climb up! So even though it slowed us down, it was a fun challenge to break up the monotony. The rest of the hike was full of rolling hills so we went up and down quite a bit. We finally made it to Boiling Springs though! And we got some trail magic from some locals at the ATC regional center and talked for a while. When we mentioned we were going to grab lunch, one of the women gave us $10 each for food! And when we ate lunch, another thru hiker named No Collar paid for our lunch! So it was our only net positive day on trail for cash :) We hung out for a while and waited for Hawk’s dad who was coming to visit, and when he picked us up, we ate dinner and went to bed soon after because it was past 8pm and that’s just when we go to sleep.

7/8: We felt nice and rested after staying in a hotel. We were slackpacking with Hawk’s dad and his friend, so we drove to a parking lot and got a ride to 12 miles up the trail. Annnd it was raining. The 2 thru hikers were grateful for the rain and appreciated the cooler temperatures, but the two non thru hikers were not as enthused. The hike went pretty well! There were sooooo many raspberries on the trail and we stopped and ate them constantly.

We ate pre packaged sandwiches at a parking lot (like the nature lovers we are). Then the trail became super muddy from the rain and soil composition. It was like slogging through toothpaste. Mud got all over our legs and our shoes. We were happy to finish the trail for the day so we could take a shower and eat some food! And then Hawk and Survivor resupplied and watched our favorite trail hotel show- American Ninja Warrior- before going to sleep.

7/9: After eating a hotel breakfast, the crew drove to a parking lot along the trail for another 12 mile hike north to Duncannon. The trail started off great. There was very little standing water and mud compared to yesterday, and it wasn’t too hot out. We crossed some fields and saw some cool flowers along the way. We had a climb about 6 miles in that was about 450 feet up and Hawk’s dad and Richard did great! Then the trail got rocky. Oh boy. Pennsylvania is known for being super rocky and we were lucky that this section was only moderately rocky and you could still see and step on the trail. But Hawk’s dad and Richard struggled over the jagged rocks. After over 1,100 miles of practice Survivor and Hawk don’t think twice about the rocks like that and we know how to navigate them easily. At about 3 and a half miles away from the car, Hawk’s Dad’s shoe broke! The soul detached from the heel and the shoes was flopping around all over the place. We did our best to strap it down, but it was a slow go.

He got the trail name “Soulless Jeff” or SJ for short :) After some steep rock stairs and a lot of complaining, we finally, FINALLY made it to the car! Hallelujah! It took about 8 hours to hike 12 miles that day. We drove back to the hotel in an air conditioned vehicle which felt wonderful, showered, and then went to dinner at a brew pub because after a day like that, we could use a beer.

We’re going to get breakfast this morning and see a movie with Soulless Jeff and Richard before getting back on trail. We got so spoiled hanging out with those two and eating Subway sandwiches on the trail for lunch, it will be a hard transition back to tuna packets. We’re prepared for whatever Rocksylvania throws at us, and we’re excited for the next section!

Happy Trails :)