Hiked the Minister Creek loop trails on Black Friday. It was wet and cold and absolutely delightful.

Halfway through I heard a rattle

A few takeaways:

1. First time going anywhere on Black Friday
2. Trying to hang a tarp with cold fingers is harder than it seems it would be
3. Underquilt FTW

This way for bargains!

Seriously. This is so you know right where you are BUT NEELS GAP IS LIKE RIGHT OVER THERE.

...to where Miss Miller's 4th graders had their meetup. I AM LIKE UNTO A GOD

This time I went ~9 miles from Rt 271 trailhead to Rt 56 shelter on, yes, the Laurel Highlands Trail AGAIN.

First time staying at the shelters and there was someone else there. CASSIDY DOG and I want to say....Justin? They certainly made camp time a bit less boring.

She sits on your foot so you can't not pet her

Seems like I hit a wall around 7 miles or so. Perhaps more snacks? Or maybe I need to actually stop and sit once in a while. Of course, I risk crushing this guy if I'm not careful

Back to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail -- went to the Johnstown end and hiked to Rt 56 shelter. About a 1000' elevation gain over 3 miles. Not bad, but it's the first time I've done it with a 20lb pack.

Still rocky and gnarly, but dry with no mudpits to deal with. Unfortunately I made pretty good time and was at the end way too early. Wasn't nearly tired enough to fall asleep at 5:30. CAMP IS BORING WHEN IT'S JUST ME. I should probably hike a lot farther so I just drop.

There was a babbling brook, though. Kinda comforting for a while. But at 1am......3am......6am....agggghhhh.

And the shelter smelled like Lagavulin.

Overnighter from route 653 trailhead to Grindle Ridge shelters on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. 6.5 miles each way. Learned that the trail map icon for water means potable only, but there are actual pumps at the shelter sites that you can treat. I didn't realize this, so I was PRETTY THIRSTY BEING ALL CONSERVE-Y.

Other lessons:

1. cheap stove valves don't always close tightly, so they can get spurty with the gas when you connect them
2. fire starters need to burn long enough to actually start a fire
3. the forest is boring in the evening. Glad I brought a book

Some firsts:

1. first night camping out alone (not scared once for reals)
2. first time filtering water (pouring into a Brita doesn't count)
3. first freezer bag meal
4. first bear bag hang (got it on 5th try!)

Trail is beautiful but a crap-ton of roots and rocks. And it would be nasty when it's really wet with all the sucking wet mud. 8/10 will hike again.

This is the North Country Trail as it traverses Moraine State park. This was the dry part.

So I didn't make the same mistakes this time I MADE BRAND NEW ONES HUZZAH.

The takeaways here are

1. don't trust instincts you don't have yet
2. carry a real map, not just a trail map
3. just stealth camp to avoid pissing off the wife
4. there's probably a fourth but I am drawing a blank

Miles hiked: 11.4

Miles INTENDED TO HIKE: 5.7

I saw a birdie. Also deers.

^{Again with the mud}