As we headed out of Duncannon across the Susquehanna River, we found a freight train waiting for a green track light blocking our access to the trail. Could not catch the engineer's attention and we were just waiting for the train to start moving as we crossed in front of it and squeezed by it and up onto the trail. Not the way I like to start the morning.Tough hiking up the steep incline out of town with five days of food on board. It's a long haul to Port Clinton. This was my first introduction to Pennsylvania's famous long strips of rock scramble. Seemed like it would never end and like who ever planned the route was a little sadistic. Every opportunity they took us over rocks.
Threat of heavy rains tonight. Thought there was only going to be three of us using the shelter that night. WRONG. It's a weekend night! At 7:30PM a troop of 10 boy scouts show up. Not bad, they were well behaved. Then at 8:30pm a group of 10 locals showed up. They were a different kind of camper. From the parking lot three miles back they hauled in five children's wagons filled with their gear, beer and pot. Needless to say it was a long sleepless night. Got out of there quick at first light. Didn't want to see the bedlam that was going to ensue when the two groups started to stir.
Peters Shelter is fairly new with two levels. It replaced one of the original shelters that had a dirt floor. That shelter is now featured at the new AT museum at Pine Grove Furnace, PA. Earl Shaffer (first thru hiker) said that it was his favorite shelter to stay at on the trail.
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