Week 4 – mile 1236-1291 – 56 miles covered; 264 in total
Earlier in the week, as we left Hamburg and headed east toward the Delaware Water Gap and New Jersey across the water, it was unprecedentedly hot and humid. I’m not a fan of the heat and I knew it would test me. After a long Monday in Eckville, it was clear that arrangements needed to be made with AC.
I booked a night at the Lookout Hostel for Tuesday night, with the option of returning to the hostel heading south on Wednesday. While it may seem strange to opt for SOBO when NOBO is the goal, it allows you to go extra miles with the added convenience of a place to stay, a convenient shuttle service, and a light load. We traveled 12 miles north and another 14 south without a package.
Highs (and lows)
Wednesday’s slack trail south would present a contrast: It was my favorite hike so far, with gentle breezes on the ridge easing the heat, giving us extra energy to enjoy the scrambles up Bake Oven Knob and Knife Edge.
We arrived back at the Lookout to a packed shelter, with nearly a dozen other hikers joining us for the night. Two of our trams, Milk Money and Big Cheese, opted to travel to our next destination in Palmerton for a little more space and a day zero. I introduced myself to Trek Five Lives writer Vereen, although she was too busy to visit her for long. I met several other hikers and enjoyed many conversations during our two nights.
Unfortunately, our plans to stay together fell apart that night. With Milk Money and Big Cheese out for a few days, and differences in pacing, adaptations, and other stress points becoming apparent, a reboot was necessary. After the last 14 rainy miles to Palmerton on another SOBO slackpack with the tram now seating 3,
The next morning, I shared a shuttle to Fox Gap with just AZ and walked the remaining 17 miles to Delaware Water Gap (DWG) without the tram. I would go to New Jersey alone.
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