June 8, 2021

Woke up this morning still feeling a little woozy.  I suspect I’m dehydrated and can’t seem to recover.  The weather hasn’t broken yet so another steamy day is ahead.  Over breakfast I decide to end my hike at Ft. Montgomery by the Hudson River.  I have a drop box with supplies waiting for me at the Post Office there and I can get a hotel room. 

I pack up and head out.  The fatigue begins to hamper my progress not long after I start down the trail.  This reaffirms my decision to end my hike.  Despite my efforts dehydration has reared its ugly head despite my efforts.  Very disappointing.

I am also concerned that without my phone I have lost the use of guthook, my primary navigation tool and trail information source.  The AT is pretty well marked but having guthook has been very useful at times.

I stopped frequently to hydrate and rest, way more than normal.  When I got to the road crossing at Seven Lakes Drive I decide to hitchhike into town.  It’s not a heavily trafficked road but I was able to get a ride from a woman before long.  My guess is that she is in her late 30’s maybe early 40’s.  In a conversation during the ride I learn she had done a big trek in Asia and the Pacific when she was younger.  Sounds like an amazing adventure.  

She was kind enough to take me all the way to Holiday Inn Express in Ft Montgomery even though it is a little out of her way.  Thank you so much!

I score a room and then begin to make plans to return home.  I call Dorothy to get shuttled back to her B&B to get my car.  We make plans for her to pick me up the morning of June 10, the earliest she can do.  I will spend tomorrow resting and recovering here.

Dorothy did pick me up on the morning of June 10.  Rode back to Meadowlark Farm B&B, got my car and drove the three hours back home.  I loved the trail but disappointed that I could not handle the heat and hydration issues.  Was looking forward to hiking with Dave and Matt as well.  It turns out Dave may have a hairline fracture.