Red Knees, 2pac and myself are all in. After our leisurely evening in the park sleeping on the picnic tables we got started at a reasonable 8:00am. Having stopped a mile early the night before, we were treated to a flat, easy mile prior to our first climb of the day (plus we were forewarned by a gloriously bearded Gandolf-like character of the timber rattlers that were rampant around the last shelter). The ensuing climb was sweaty and steep but relatively short-lived and the first 5 miles flew by. From there it was an occasionally steep and rocky, occasionally gradual descent into Caledonia State Park.
2pac and I had fallen a back a bit from Roadrunner and Red Knees but we spotted them relaxing at a picnic table with Morning Kid and Bamboo just outside the snack bar (leave it to hikers to immediately seek out food). First things first I purchased the largest Mountain Dew they sold and lord was it delicious. We then relaxed for another hour or so, napping atop picnic tables or in the grass (as if I didn't already have enough poison ivy) before feeling a few telltale raindrops and deciding it was time to get on the road again.
The climb out of the park was short and steep but once at the top the trail leveled out and 2pac and I began to fly down the course at a speed of at least 3 miles an hour, giggling up a storm the whole way. 7 miles into the second half of our day we caught up to Red Knees who informed us that we only had two miles to go. He then informed us at the next road crossing that he was sorely mistaken and that we still had a valley to climb down and back up prior to being within two miles of the next shelter. Thanks buddy.
The shelters in this section of southern Pennsylvania are absolutely beautiful. One shelter, the first out of Caledonia, boasts a picket fence, hanging pots of vibrant pink flowers, various board games and a retractable wind tarp for the covered picnic table. Most if not all of the shelters have a privy and the wood of the structures is finished. My hat is off to the PATC for their incredible efforts in maintaining that section.
When we arrived at Birch Run Shelter we had already gone 21 miles for the day and, though a little damp, were none the worse for wear so we began to throw around the idea of pushing on 5 more miles to get to the official halfway point of the AT. Partway through a hearty dinner this hair brained idea became a reality so we hastily cleaned and filtered water to bring with us.
Of course, less than a mile into this last trek we begin to hear thunder in the distance so we hasten our pace. The closer the clashes get, the quicker we walk and by the time the downpour has started we are somewhere between an Olympic power-walk and a jog. Red Knees continued to push on at that speed but 2pac and I, realizing that we were already thoroughly soaked through, decided to slow down slightly. Nevertheless, we made it to the halfway point, 5 miles from where we started, in an hour and twenty minutes. We were exhausted.
Unfortunately, the actual halfway sign is another 2 miles or so on (the trail length changes every year and they don't bother to move the sign) and the campsite we were planning on staying at was occupied by a church group of screaming prepubescent girls which, after 26 miles, we were in no mood for.
About a quarter mile down the trail our campsite guru Red Knees found a stealth camping spot that he deemed flat and rockless enough to meet his stringent requirements. We set up quickly and were asleep by the time the sun set.
The next morning we set out to hike the 5 miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the legendary AT half gallon challenge. The hike was quick and knowing that we were so close to some semblance of civilization kept us in high spirits despite our aching muscles from the previous days hike.
Red Knees and Roadrunner destroyed the half gallon challenge. 2pac and myself could've but we opted out to save ourselves from the excessive dairy-induced pain. We instead saved ourselves from the promise of lunch with Papa 2pac and a stroll around the AT museum.
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