Monday, May 9th

NY Route 17A, Warwick (1375.5 mi) to Fingerboard Shelter (1392.1 mi)

Hiking Miles: 16.6

Total Ascent: 3,908.8 ft

Total Descent: 3,698.5 ft

Total Grade: 456.4 ft/mi

Steps: 41,376

I got up at least 3 times in the night to use the “porta-potties” at the Drive-In. There were several of them lined up (all were very spotless and clean) just down the hill from where I set up my tent. After packing up in the morning, Stevie and I walked to a breakfast shop that had Taylor Ham & Egg sandwiches, and we each got one with a cup of coffee and we ate them back at the Drive-In. 

Shortly after finishing our breakfast, Jess arrived to pick us up. We said good-bye to Full-Tilt and Hardway because we would likely not see them again. They were technically 8 miles behind us, and we were heading off-trail in three days. Flower Power joined us for our ride back to the trailhead, and once we got there, we took a small group photo.

Today’s hike felt like an “off-day” for me – tough terrain and I caught myself saying at one point that “I’d rather hike the rocks of PA” than the hills of New York. Flower Power actually agreed when we met her taking a long break (she actually napped) later in the day. We did come across a beautiful patch of green grass which was very serene.

Stevie started an interesting conversation about the words “serene” and “surreal” and how they would actually be used to describe a situation similar to what we were experiencing. It was just one of the crazy topics we chose to discuss, many of which we likely wouldn’t publish.

We only hiked a total of 16.6 miles to the Fingerboard Shelter, however during the day we maneuvered our way through the infamous Lemon Squeeze, and climbed over the high rock wall that followed. Stevie climbed it first. Then after, I attempted to climb it with my pack on and couldn’t quite do it, so I chose to take the “Easy Way” blue trail (literally a 10 step climb up the side of the rock). I thought “Smart Way” was a more appropriate name for that short path. I subsequently thought what I should have done was put my pack down, climb back down the steps, then climb the front face of the rock without my pack. This would have been “easier” and very achievable for me.

At Fingerboard, there were a number of hikers tenting along the grounds, and Stevie and I were the only ones electing to sleep in the shelter. We cooked ramen and potatoes for dinner, hung our food bags, then went to bed early to get a good night’s sleep. We had the pleasure of listening to another annoying whippoorwhill for 56 seconds (I videoed it! – see below) and enjoy! I couldn’t mimic that call – I get exhausted just listening to the video.