Meteorologist failure (mine): I did not anticipate the cold front that brought a lot of wind overnight, so my tarp was pitched high and open for ventilation after the warm day. Lots of tarp flapping all night that kept me awake, and I had to reset a couple of stakes that came undone in the rocky soil, but did not want to climb out in the dark to pitch for the storm. Not pretty but my tarp was still standing in the morning (pictured). It also got chilly, so I pulled in my jacket and quilt to wrap around me in the early morning.
I found Camo (for his camouflage clothes) breaking camp from the Summit B&B (pictured, http://www.bluemountainsummit.com) when I got up, and Tweaker had also tented nearby. I hit the trail after Camo and just before Tweak, moving pretty quickly uphill (my trail legs are developing nicely).
After some easy trail with a nice powerline vista (pictured), more rocks and (cue ominous music) the Knife Edge, a ridge section of narrow rock face with nice views (pictures), not the place to lose balance with a pack. A half-mile later came Bear Rocks, another challenging rock scramble.
Then some easy trail (pictured), a welcome relief. Coming upon the Bake Oven Knob parking, I was reminded it was the weekend by the cars (pictured). However, I was slightly disappointed that the rumored Trail Magic from the day before was gone.
I thought the rocks were behind me, but the climb in and out of Bake Oven Knob was another rock scramble (pictures).
I stopped at the Bake Oven Knob shelter (pictured) to briefly review the shelter log, then moved on. More rocks at a powerline right of way descent (pictured), but shortly thereafter spotted a trail magic sign on a tree and found Camo enjoying the hospitality of Fresh Ground's Leapfrog Cafe, with representatives from Sawyer products (https://sawyer.com/products/) and the Keystone Trail Association. Fresh Ground is a Trail Angel who treats hikers to all the food they can eat, then moves north to do it again. He cooked fried buttermilk chicken tenders for me and prepared a sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and other toppings. I also ate plenty of celery and carrots with dip, a banana and several cups of Kool-Aid. While I was stuffing myself with great food, section hiker Curious George showed up. More info on the cafe, including photos he took of me and other happy hikers is on the website at https://m.facebook.com/FreshGroundLeapfrogCafe.
The rest of the trail for the day was a delight - through meadows recovering from fire (pictures) and early into the George Outerbridge shelter, which was right on the AT itself. Just in time, as my full stomach was making me sleepy. I found Camo already there for the night, as was Shirtless (who I knew from his log entry at Rock'n'Sole hostel). We were later joined by a section hiker couple and their two dogs (a Golden Retriever and a Doberman Pinscher), which provided some amusement in the shelter as the owners tried to keep them settled down overnight.
I eagerly anticipated my short hike into Palmerton PA on Sunday morning for a hostel stay, good food and to recharge my phone. I need to stay on Monday to pickup my bounce box at the Post Office.
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