So, I went on my first backpacking trip in four years this past weekend. I guess I need to realize my age (or maybe think about my lack of preparedness) next time, because Saturday became the one day in all my years of hiking that I thought I was not going to make it out of the woods.

Jack and I did the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to the Dry Sluice Gap Trail to Campsite 49 on the Cabin Flats Trail. The route was just shy of ten miles the first day and right at five miles on the second day. I was really most worried about crapping out on the climb from Newfound Gap up and over Mount Ambler. That actually went pretty well. We followed the AT past Ice Water Springs and Charlie’s Bunion to Dry Sluice Gap. From there, it was a short climb and then all about three miles downhill to Cabin Flats on the Bradley Fork.

This section of the hike turned out to be the worst few hours I have ever spent on a trail. It was relentlessly downhill and very steep. My feet kept jamming into the front of my boots. It became uncomfortably warm without much of a breeze to cool off with. The pack felt like it was getting heavier and heavier. My pace slowed to a crawl, and I really began to wonder if I was going to make it. At one point, a trail runner passed us, and he asked if I was okay. I must have looked terrible. I know I felt terrible. I debated with myself about telling Jack that I needed to get out of the woods immediately. That would have meant hiking another five miles, and I really didn’t think I could do that.

When we got to the next trail intersection, our packs came off, and I started to feel a little better. Jack and I discussed how I was feeling. It was decided that we would head to the campsite, which was a half mile away, instead of walking five miles out of the woods. Once we got to camp and got settled, I started to feel human again. Jack said my color looked a lot better. Crisis averted! We relaxed, made dinner, and went to bed early because of the burn ban with no possibility of a campfire.

It rained overnight, and we woke up to a howling wind, much cooler temps, and an overcast sky. We packed our soggy tents and headed out. The walk out along the Bradley Fork was very pretty and a lot less strenuous than the previous day’s up and downhill slogs. We got to cross a cool trestle bridge and see lots of pretty creekside scenery. Then it was out of the woods and home for some rest and recuperation.

Here are some photos from the adventure.

And here are the obligatory trail signs that marked our route!