Youth & Young Adult
2010 Backpacking Trip
Appalachian Trail
Saturday, June 5 - Sunday, June 6, 2010
Early Saturday morning our group of 17 backpackers headed north along the Appalachian Trail. We hiked about 16 miles (9 1/2 miles on Sunday and 6 1/2 miles on Saturday). We began Saturday after breakbast, slept in tents Saturday night, with worship on the trail Sunday morning, and finished hiking by Sunday dinner time.
Pictured above is our group right before hitting the trail. Within our group, we had some first time campers, as well as well-seasoned backpackers.
Checking straps on the pack before heading up the trail
Relaxing and waiting for the group to be ready to begin the initial climb.
The trip started at Wind Gap, Pennsylvania (Rt 33).
We began with a 500 foot climb through new growth woodlands,
following the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail.
Saturday lunch is sandwhiches, fruit, nuts, and granola bars.
"Dropping pack" as the group takes a break along the trail.
Homemade beef jerky and fruit roll-ups were among some of the snacks enjoyed along the trail
A beautiful day for a hike within God's beautiful forest.
An exhilarating climb up Wolf Rocks.
Wolf Rocks is the approximate southern limit of glaciation for the last ice age
along the Appalachian rail.
At the top were spectacular views.
What goes up, must come down, and in this case, down from Wolf Rock meant scrambling down more rock.
A relaxing walk along a flat section of trail in a clearing with soft ferns.
....and then back into the woods.
Taking a break with more than 8 miles down,
and 1 more mile to go until we get to our planned campsite.
Camping along the Appalachian Trail on Saturday evening
near the Kirkridge Shelter.
We set up in a clearing along a tree line at an already established fire circle.
Upon arriving at our campsite, we broke up into work groups to accomplish the tasks of:
setting up the tents, collecting water, gathering firewood and cutting it, preparing dinner,
and setting up the ropes for the bear bags.
Cutting up the firewood.
Building the fire.
Demonstrating to the youth how to use flint & steel.
Youth having the opportunity to use flint & steel to light the fire.
The campfire is lit,
the tents are set up,
the water has been collected,
the ropes for the bear bag are rigged,
....now it's time to begin dinner.
Dinner is lasagna in can, cooked over backpacking stoves.
For those who were still hungry there was...
Plus we had hot chocolate, coffee, and banana cream pie for dessert.
Relaxing after a hard day of hiking.
Views of the campsite.
Before going to bed, our red bear bags were lofted high into the trees.
Saturday night's campfire for evening vespers.
After the fire is completely and safely extinguished,
it's time to curl up into our sleepbags.
We awake to the peace and stillness of a quiet campsite on Sunday morning.
Skies are overcast on Sunday morning.
We begin packing up the site, before possible rain.
Working as a team has been key for an enjoyable trip.
Time to unload the bear bags to get ready for breakfast.
Heating water for morning coffee.
Enjoying hot chocolate and variety of instant coffee options before breakfast.
After everyone was poured their water for coffee and hot chocolate,
we need to wait for the water to heat up again to make breakfast.
Breakfast was a healthy and hardy meal of oatmeal with dehydrated milk and dehydrated fruit.
With three backpacking stoves,
we didn't need to wait too long to feed our group of hungry hikers.
We had a magnificent view of the valley and farms below from Nelson Vista,
which is the clearing where we had camped.
It was a great place to pause and pose for pictures.
Backpacking is a great way to make and build friendships.
While enjoying the view and taking photos,
two persons in our group hiked a mile out to the mid-point support vehicle,
so we could drop off some of our gear.
After they returned, it's time for a group shot.
A backpacker's camera stand is attached to a pack holding the camera for this photo,
so that we can all get into the picture.
The wonders of God's creation are witnessed in the view, in the flight of a passing hawk....
....and in the beauty of the flowers and fauna.
After the photos have been taken, it's time to put the packs back on and head up the trail.
Later in the morning, we stopped in a clearing to give worship to God.
After worship, we enjoy a bounty of wild blueberries before continuing on the trail.
For Sunday lunch we have peanut butter and jelly on flat bread,
and a spectacular view of the Delaware River.
As we reach the peak of Mt. Minsi,
more views greet along the trail.
From Mt. Minsi we begin a 1000 foot descent to the Delaware Water Gap.
As we continue down the trail,
a shower turns into a downpour.
But after the rain, smiles abound.
About sixteen miles from the start,
we arrive at the Delware Water Gap parking lot Sunday afternoon,
where we had left most of our cars the previous Saturday morning.
Duffle bags of dry clothing await us,
which we change into to get out of the clothes still wet from the downpour.
All 17 hikers with which we began, arrive safely to the end.
Our parting shot, is all of us posing for a group shot at Nelson Vista on Sunday morning.
"....Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain.... And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.... Then Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here....'" (Matthew 17:1-4).
We journeyed together up the mountain to be in worship with our Lord. Now we return from the mountain, strengthened in our faith, brought closer to God and to one another, ready to work together in furthering the mission and ministry of Christ.