Memorial Day, May 25, 2009

I walked the Grove Run Trail at Rector, PA in Linn Run State Park and Forbes State Forest on Saturday. This was my third time. This is a beautiful trail, and my favorite part of it is the last leg up to the summit. There are dramatic altitude changes on this trail, and I had my first ever experience of altitude sickness. This probably happened around 2,500 feet. Last July I hiked at Mt. Mitchell, NC, which is close to 7,000 feet and did not experience altitude sickness.

I decided not to descent at that point, because a ways up the summit there is a metal trail box with a trail log. I decided if I could make it to that point, I could log my real name, the date, and the symptoms I was experiencing. Then the ranger would have some place to start if I disappeared!

I was feeling better by the time I made it to the summit. I also encountered a large party of male and female hikers up at the summit, so I could have asked them for assistance. I descended on an easier trail, the Quarry Trail, and then turned back onto the last leg of the Grove Run Trail. Descending took care of the problem, and although there was a long hike back, I was fine.