Mid State Trail (MST) Pennsylvania - 13 Mile Hike in and out Part 02

 

Well, this was one of the more humbling hiking experiences I have had in a long time.  If you spend time outdoors doing what you love at one time or another mother nature is going to remind you that you’re only human.

On this day like any other day I check the weather and head out. I am wearing convertible pants, wicking long sleeves, and a wicking short sleeve underneath.

I would be carrying 3-litres of water and in normal hiking conditions this for me would last for a 16 – 20-mile hike. What has not been realized yet until I have 1.5 miles left in a 13-mile hike is I will run out of water.  The other sign would be my body having heat cramps in my leg one at a time, but we will get to that later.

Starting at 41.556185, -77.375912 aka Gillespie Point Trailhead being mile 0.0. I looked at a topo map and saw yes it would be a climb up to the scenic view, but what I did not do was see what the average percent of grade it would be to get there.

Starting at the trailhead and immediately started the accent with an average grade of 18 percent I grinded it out.  After ascending 932 feet I had a beautiful view of the Pine Creek Gorge.

The next leg would be the nearly 2-mile decent into Brill Hollow. There are two ephemeral water sources while hiking into the hollow.

After crossing Big Run Road, you will need to do a stream crossing at mile 2.3. During this creek crossing you will see a few small and beautiful waterfalls and the waterfall spotting will go on for about 0.70 miles.

After passing the waterfalls you will start another accent. This ascent will be 1.12 miles long, with an average grade of 10.4%, and with an elevation gain of 609 feet.

I had been used to grade changes, but none at this point lasted this long. Sweat was pouring out of me. I should have right then changed up my clothes. I knew better but pressed on. I should have converted my pants to shorts and removed my long sleeves. This would be the start of my dehydration. I should have also checked my water bladder level.

After that you will start your accent into Hoyt Hollow. This hollow has several beautiful creeks in them. As has been said by others, this is no place to be during a high-water moment.

The cold and at times chilling temperatures of the runoff from the mountain springs can be overpowering and at times dangerous.

Trout Run was running well but nothing that would stop someone from crossing it. I just did not want to get my boots wet on this day.

I began breaking trail along the north side of the creek to work up to what I call Anvil Rock Falls. The rock formation looks like the front edge of a blacksmith’s anvil.

I was walled out and needed to go to higher ground or wade the creek. I chose to get to higher ground to traverse the walled-out section.

I was walking along a ledge that I thought was surprisingly flat-ish. The ledge was also covered in dead leaves. The sandstone was also prime habitat for snakes. I oddly enough did not see or hear of any snakes.

I made it back to where I started to break trail. I began my hike out of the creek bottom. For the next nearly 2-miles I would be going up hill with an average grade of 6.4%.

On the hike back at nearly mile 9 I felt something I had not experienced in decades. I felt heat cramps in my left leg and at first it was just a nagging feeling. This would get worse to the point I needed to lay on the trail.

I made every attempt to rub it out and stretch it out. It nearly migrated to my crotch.

I then realized I was in the starting stages of heat exhaustion. I was ok for now and news I needed to drink more water “but really it was already too late”.

I also needed to cool my core temp down slowly and not allow myself to go into any type of shock.

I got up and pressed on to find a water source for cooling. I found a shallow source of water. I took off my pack and stowed all the non-essential gear. I soaked the long-sleeved wicking shirt and began with my head to cool my core.

I did this for my neck as well as armpits. The cool water that came out of the water seep was a life saver.  I did this until I felt confident, I made a good choice to press on for the remaining 2-miles.

I was already out of water “big miscalculation”.  I held off drinking the remaining two tablespoons of water left in the bladder.  I would need to reach Gillespie Point before taking this drink of water.

The next 0.78 miles, percent of grade being average of 13.7%, and the final push up the steep grade with an elevation gain of 562 I rested again. At the top of the gorge it provided a nice breeze and further helped my core cool.

After what seemed like forever I put my pack on and made my final descent.

 I had already thought I would not be able to make the 2-hour car ride back to camp and might have to stay in a motel for the night.

Last thing I needed to do was pass out at the wheel. So, I took it step by step down the hill for nearly a mile and 900 feet down. I also was motivated by the fact that I knew I had packed extra water bottles and left them in the car.

I got back to the car and had not been as happy as I was in that moment for a while seeing the car. I did not hop in automatically I took my pack off and got one water bottle. While still walking a little I drank the water slowly.

I felt better than I thought and I would drive but still stayed on high alert if I needed to pull over.

I was lucky because this all could have been much worse.