(Peters Mountain Shelter (mile 1,160.6) - Tentsite (mile 1184))

I woke up this morning at 6:30am and shook off the urge to sleep in. Numbers and I had agreed to hike together today and had decided to try to leave by 7:30am. I quickly broke down my tent before visiting the privy and retrieving my food bag from the bear box. I had just finished packing my things when Numbers approached to check if I was ready. I confirmed that I was and we left camp at just after 7:30am.

Numbers allowed me to take the lead and after about 2.5 miles, we stopped at Kinter View to eat breakfast. While we ate, Numbers commented on how fast I hiked. It was surprising and flattering to hear a triple crowner say I hiked fast, although to be fair, Numbers had just gotten back on trail in Harpers Ferry.

We hiked another 8 miles, mostly discussing grad school, science, and the promise of CRISPR gene therapies. We then stopped at a stream for a snack break. While there, the sky grew considerably darker, threatening rain. We started hiking again and pulled on our rain jackets in anticipation.

After 7 miles we reached Rausch Gap Shelter at 2:15pm. The rain had still not started yet and we decided to eat a late lunch in the shelter before moving on.

A mile past the shelter we reached Stony Creek, which has been flooded for a many years due to a large beaver dam. Numbers had crossed through before and explained that it was a pretty cool and unique bit of trail. The dam itself was worn down from years of hiker activity. We took our time, carefully choosing our foot placement on only the sturdiest branches and logs. With the help of our trekking poles for balance, we were both able to make it through without losing a foot to the disgusting slurry of beaver pond water.

After we made it passed the beaver pond, the skies finally opened up. We received a steady drenching as we hiked the next 4 miles, eventually reaching Swatara State Park. The rain started to leach our hiking spirit, so we decided to call it after reaching a tentsite just past the park. I set up my tent while Numbers set up his tarp. He admitted that these most often shelter camps these days, so he was curious to see how his rusty tarp pitching skills would hold up against the rain. I have had a lot of curiosity about tarp camping, but watching Numbers set up his tiny tarp over the wet ground made me grateful for my Tarptent. We were able to chat for a while from our respective shelters before exhaustion eventually claimed us both.