Number of Days Afoot: 17 days, Day 81 AT - Day 97 AT

Distance in 1978: 222.9 miles

Snowy Mountain, 2080 feet summited 28 June 1978, Day 81 AT

Bake Oven Knob, 1580 feet, summited 22 July 1978

  9. 03 July 1978, Duncannon, PA   Day 86 AT   Total Miles Afoot: 1054.3

10. 24 July 1978, Palmerton, PA     Day 94 AT   Total Miles Afoot: 1160.0

Michaux State Forest, Caladonia State Park, Pine Grove Furnace, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Excerpts from pages 195 - 196

Start early this morning and hitch to where the AT crosses state highway 325. The hitch goes extremely well as it is no time before my walk upon the AT south to Duncannon begins. Soon arrive on the top of the mountain and after a short walk, stop at Earl Shaffer lean-to, the first lean-to to come to, for a break because of being footsore from the highway hitch and the rocky climb up. While here read the register which discloses: Ron′s Store –16 miles, Delaware Water Gap –130 miles and most significantly, Katahdin –992 miles.

From inside this small wooden hovel atop this forlorn fog-cloaked mountain, my intense gaze blurs into the distant haze when suddenly out of nowhere, solitude, who for several days has been passing time in quietness, now shatters the silence like a thunderclap in a gloomy storm.

In this new grievance, solitude clamors that out there in the distance, beyond the fog and gloom is the rest of the world and that my existence has been kept on hold day after day while agonizing to achieve this altogether unrealistic journey′s end.

Next, solitude bewails to this transient to bethink back to the long past sign seen in Indian Grave Gap. Yes, he calls to my attention it has been three and a half months since the time when this sign informed me that Katahdin was still 1955 miles further north and that even now there is still almost a thousand miles left before seeing the end to this relentless struggle. Much like in the weeks past when solitude did persistently beseech this jaded footslogger for a rational reason for abiding on this rock strewn path, now, again solitude breaches the silence to ask pointedly why this journey has come to have a mien totally bereft of zeal.

In defense, my feeble reply to solitude is, We should be happy to be alive, why this is a beautiful day and everything necessary for this journey, no, this life, is light enough to carry and right here within my burden. Upon turning to point at the burden, suddenly realize that only my day pack is here. Then in trying to conceal my own uncertainty say to solitude, Why, today is even easier than most because of having stashed my burden at the fire station and having to bear only my day pack!

Besides, did we not only this morning enjoy a chocolate bar? Now as the mist begins to burn off, this grand view of the valley expanse below treats my eyes as well. Enough with you, O, solitude, and these constant arguments with you! The day is very warm and there are a lot of bugs to contend with, so therefore, the time has come to continue upon this path in search of some better companions.