Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Misery! - Continuing Adventures of the Hiking Historian

As a prologue to a report on today's hike, here's an account of my first hike on Mount Misery, originally posted December 10, 2006, to the newsgroup Alt.Support.Diet.

************

This afternoon, I climbed Mt. Misery in Valley Forge. It was 1:15 PM
when I left the Neilmobile at Washington's Headquarters, and I
staggered back to my car at 3:30. During that time, I hiked up the side
of Misery, arriving at the top by a little after 2:30. The trail was
extremely rocky; last night, online, I stumbled across a description of
Pennsylvania trails as "where boots go to die", and I now know the
truth of that saying.

While at the summit, I hiked a little bit along the Horseshoe Trail,
and signed the trail register. I'm estimating that I walked about four
miles today, much of it climbing.

I still have a lot to learn about hiking. I didn't bring enough water,
for one. Also, I was far too heavily dressed for the unseasonably warm
weather. Halfway up the side of Misery I stopped and removed my jacket
and shirt. Fortunately, underneath I was wearing a T-shirt. So in
addition to the beauties of nature, other hikers got to see the
spectacle of a fat middle aged man with the phrase "I am the kid your
parents warned you about" printed on his chest.

To see some of the Horseshoe Trail and other trails on Mt. Misery,
visit this site:

http://curiousgawker.blogspot.com/2005/08/hiking-horseshoe-trail.html

Neil
385/276/220

Today's hike began at 12:45 PM with my friend Dan. We parked at the far end of Mount Misery, since Washington's Headquarters and its parking lot have been closed by the National Park Service for renovation. The good weather brought out a lot of people to enjoy the park and climb the trails. It's hard to imagine that nearly 230 years ago the Continental Army would be suffering a miserable encampment around this same mountain. With sunlight, no wind to speak of, and temps in the 40s we completed the four miles in about an hour and a half. This included a couple of minutes of me taking photos, and a ten minute break at the halfway point.

Dan is a much better hiker than me, and about a hundred pounds lighter, so he outpaced me on both the climb and descent. Even though I'm in worse physical condition than I was two years ago, the hike went both better and faster than then. I can't tell if it's a matter of pacing, familiarity with the trail, or that I'm in better shape than I thought, but I seemed to hold up better over the four miles. I feel very tired this evening, and my left knee and leg - the shorter limb - is sore, but overall I think I did OK.

One problem I had was that on descents my feet would slide forward in my boots, and my toes would bump the front of the toe box. I think I need to keep my boots laced tighter. :)

Photos to come......

Sounds like a wonderful hike. I look forward to the pics. I used to love hiking and rock climbing before I damaged my spine and knee (and gained 150lbs). Free scaling rock faces is not exactly a Clyde sport, lol. Glad to hear you are able to get out and enjoy nature's glory.

peace

Sounds like a wonderful hike. I look forward to the pics. I used to love hiking and rock climbing before I damaged my spine and knee (and gained 150lbs). Free scaling rock faces is not exactly a Clyde sport, lol. Glad to hear you are able to get out and enjoy nature's glory.

peace

Thanks. I like hiking, but it's pretty clear that there are better ways for me to get exercise. Still, it's a good change of pace from cycling, and I don't hike any worse than I ride a bike.

Hey Historian - cool hike. I was out hiking today as well.

One thing I learned, especially about this time of year when the weather changes so much,, is bike clothing works well. I use a craft undershirt and then layering - arm warmers work great since you can pull them up and down as you get hot then cold. A cycling vest also works well. I've also learned that water is as important on a hike as a ride, in fact, I tend to drink more on hikes and always carry a full Camelbak. If going over 6 miles, I always carrry at least 100 oz. And snacks, don't forget snacks!

Anyway this is a great time of year to hike!

About two-thirds of the way up Mount Misery. See the building far in the distance? That's where I parked the car.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/3076898110_10436c0be0.jpg

Another view of the trail:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/3076901152_ff2b18f745.jpg

My hiking companion. Dan never entirely left his young adulthood behind. I feel fortunate I was too old when the jeans torn at the knee fad came and went.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/3076086831_3bd990dca3.jpg

Aside from the covered bridge at the end, this is the only structure on the trail. This is, I believe, a former brewery, circa 1800. There's a natural spring still flowing under the building, which makes it dangerous to walk around here when the temps are below freezing. And of course you aren't supposed to go into the building.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/3076949822_5ce781e9e2.jpg

Here is The Historian in the building, next to some sort of tunnel on an elevated platform.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3076941294_19bd5a7f85.jpg

Look, there he is again!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/3076939282_a2281ed5b0.jpg

More to come.....

Sigh, my work network blocks out any type of phot sharing or blog site. I can't see the pics until I get home.

I always knew the Historian was a rebel at heart, lol.

Once down the mountain, the easiest way back is the flat trail along Valley Creek. Highlights of this two mile stretch include a small dam.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/3076141261_05b7cfe5ea.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3076149307_94ee22d1ac.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3076988674_09e2a8d2b1.jpg

Cyclists riding on Valley Creek Road, the only flat stretch of ground in Valley Forge National Historic Park. Behind them in the photo is Mount Joy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/3076169231_8effc43d53.jpg

At the end of the trail is the Knox Bridge, built in 1865, and reconstructed in 1996. According to Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges by Benjamin D. Evans and June R. Evans (second edition, 2001), the bridge is named for either Philander Knox, a US Senator, or General Henry Knox, who helped arrange the defenses of Valley Forge during the Continental Army's winter encampment of 1778. I'm inclined to give the honor to the general.

The bridge is constructed using what's called a Burr truss design. Note the arch visible in the middle of the bridge. According to Evans and Evans, the typical Burr truss has the arch extend higher in the middle.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/3076182067_5582da8323.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/3077019228_a3954d942b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/3076195579_a633fe68b5.jpg

Great hike! Makes me want to go hiking!!

A good pair of shock-absorbing hiking poles (Leki makes my favourites) will help with your knee pain. My knees are on the verge of destruction, and the only way I can hike is with a pair of poles to keep from putting too much pressure on my knees during descents.
They also help you balance when you're hiking seriously rocky trails, slippery mud, fording creeks, etc.

Sigh, my work network blocks out any type of phot sharing or blog site. I can't see the pics until I get home.

I always knew the Historian was a rebel at heart, lol.

Today's hike was in Evansburg State Park, outside Collegeville, PA. Dan assured me we were hiking in a safe area, until 25 minutes in I saw fellows in blaze orange less than 100 feet away. We beat a retreat back to the car.

We finished up the hiking with a ramble on Lower Providence Township's Timothy Trail, behind the municipal building. No hunting, but we did come across a scene I didn't expect to witness in the 40 degree weather. Underneath a bridge, on a stream bank, a young man and an even younger woman were getting acquainted with each other in a deeply personal manner. They clearly didn't expect to see Dan and I lumber along the path. We averted our eyes, she removed her mouth from his.... mouth, and buttoned her shirt.

"Dan, wait, we're interrupting."

"We have to cross the bridge. There's no other way ahead."

We crossed the stream, and I said "Good afternoon" as I did. The couple ignored me. When we got up the trail a distance, Dan asked me "Do you want to go back? You like taking pictures."

"That scene demands a video camera, and he was moving so fast by the time I got back with it she would be choosing china patterns and getting her mom to contact caterers."

You're a hiker now? Roarke didn't want to make the climb? :)

Nice photos. You look much slimmer from the last time I saw you in photos. Keep up the work!

You're a hiker now? Roarke didn't want to make the climb? :)

Nice photos. You look much slimmer from the last time I saw you in photos. Keep up the work!

Dan isn't into winter riding, and the past three weekends I've had bad weather or high winds. So I haven't ridden in three weeks.

I got started hiking when we lived in Colorado. Walking uphill is the best exercise I ever found. It works your legs and lungs but doesn't jar your body like jogging. There in CO, it was scenic, so I had motivation to get out, and the climate was generally cool, a great combination. Before we moved out of there, I hiked all the 13'ers (and the 14'er) in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Where we lived there in Fort Collins, the prominent landmark was Longs Peak. I worked in an office with about a dozen other people, mostly about my age. Every one of them saw that mountain every single day. None of them had ever hiked up it. But I did. That was a great feeling.

Skippack Creek in Evansburg State Park, a few minutes before I spotted the fellows in orange jackets and we beat a hasty retreat:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3091159455_ca8a7344fe_b.jpg

Another view of the creek, from the safety of the parking lot bridge:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/3091168109_a7a8bb067e_b.jpg

You look much slimmer from the last time I saw you in photos. Keep up the work!

I wish I were keeping up good work. My weight is up since the summer of 2007, and even since my August 2008 tour. :(

Post hike meal at Brother Paul's in Lower Providence:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/3092023268_9a6fbcb6ec_b.jpg

From a hike yesterday morning in Valley Forge National Historic Park:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/3094186423_ea9065039c_b.jpg

Today's hike with my friend Dan wasn't on Mt. Misery, but it was miserable. It was a bit more than four miles in Norristown's Farm Park - former farmland on the grounds of the Norristown State Hospital. In summer it's a good place to ride if you like paved multi-use paths with lots of hills, since there are seven miles of paths with some steep climbs. Today it was cold, damp, icy, and it began to snow halfway through the hike. The only plus is that I managed to walk much of the hike on pavement with little discomfort, aside from the occasional near-fall. I hate ice. :(

Photos to come.

Hey, Neil, you might want to think about adding some Nordic Walk Trekking poles into the hikng routine. Great upper body workout, and better stability on slippery trails and hillsides. :D

http://www.backpacking.net/trekpole.html

Great pic here
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/DKIMAGES/Discover/Home/Sports-Games-Recreation/Outdoor-Adventure/Hiking/Hiking-13.html

Hey, Neil, you might want to think about adding some Nordic Walk Trekking poles into the hikng routine. Great upper body workout, and better stability on slippery trails and hillsides. :D

http://www.backpacking.net/trekpole.html

Great pic here
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/DKIMAGES/Discover/Home/Sports-Games-Recreation/Outdoor-Adventure/Hiking/Hiking-13.html

I have poles, but since the 'hike' was on paved surfaces, I left them in the car. Next time I'll be on a trail, and the poles will be with me. Or I'll ride, although that's provided it ever gets above freezing again. :(

The hiking pics are great! Mixing exercise is a great idea. Cycling is essentially a non weight bearing exercise. Hiking helps with bones density and working muscles in a different way. Trekking poles will, as Tom said, give you a good upper body workout as well!

I have poles, but since the 'hike' was on paved surfaces, I left them in the car. Next time I'll be on a trail, and the poles will be with me. Or I'll ride, although that's provided it ever gets above freezing again. :(

Get some rubber caps for the tips if they don't already have them attached so you can use them on paved trails as well. My Swiss Gear poles are both collapsible, and either Carbide or rubber tipped for on or off pavement.

Norristown Farm Park:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3187324940_483b224b15_b.jpg

Dan poses as snow falls on the two of us. A minute later we were passed by a male runner wearing metallic blue tights. 12 hours later my retinas are finally recovering.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3186471659_6a9f180f2c_b.jpg

Abandoned rail line in the park:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3187322004_fd245fb62e_b.jpg

Dan poses as snow falls on the two of us. A minute later we were passed by a male runner wearing metallic blue tights. 12 hours later my retinas are finally recovering.....



The mental image makes me want to gouge out my minds eye...

The mental image makes me want to gouge out my minds eye...

We felt the same way. Some thing just should not be, darn it!