June 20 – The Last to the Mohicans

Post date: Jun 21, 2012 5:06:48 AM

The morning for "Five Pair" and "Dos" included sleeping in, an indulgent breakfast and a trip by "Dos" to the post office for a package pickup.

Given the rockfest of the prior two days, a light hike of just over 10 miles was the plan and when the hikers crossed into New Jersey just before 11am they renewed their acquaintance with their unpleasant hiking companion of the past two days, rocks, but the hike this day was made all the more memorable by an equally unwelcome companion, oppressive heat.

The two hikers hailing from different home environments opted for differing strategies this day regarding the hike. "Five Pair" being used to high temperatures and humidity opted to hike on. "Dos", with more moderate climate background, decided to sit out the midday heat and pick up the hike when the heat broke.

The heat rose to stifling levels and peaked at 97° F and didn’t begin dropping until late in the afternoon placing "Five Pair" five hours in front of "Dos". With cell service available, "Dos" was able to connect with "Five Pair" just before dark and advised that she was several hours away and "Five Pair" warned that a sandwich and soda awaited her arrival at the Mohican Outdoor Center. As the night wore on "Five Pair" decided to work her way back to the trail crossover and await "Dos’s" arrival. Just before 11pm in the distance the beam of "Dos’s" headlamp made itself known as did her voice as she stumbled into a sleeping camper who had thoughtlessly set up his hammock off the trail but in the way of "Dos's" late night hiking excursion. After that short interruption, "Dos" made it to the crossover point whereafter the two hikers arrived at the Mohican Outdoor Center and called an end to a day with different hiking experiences for each but nonetheless long for both.

1298.1 miles complete/886.3 miles to go