Billy Goats and Camel Bladders

"Billy Goat Trail again?!" you might ask, and the answer is "YES!"  Emily and I were curious as to what Billy Goat Trail sections A and B would be like if we did it going the opposite direction we did before.  We also wondered what it would be like to do it at a completely different time of day.  It was a completely different experience!

Section A was, I felt, shorter but much trickier.  The parts we went up with relative ease the first time seemed much harder to go down, and the parts we went down with relative ease last time seemed much harder to go up.  The difference in the time of day from last time to this time made a huge difference.  We started on the trail about 10:50 or so in the morning so the majority of our hike took place in the midday heat.

It was cooler than it had been; the temp was low- to mid-80s and the humidity wasn't overwhelming.  It was a crystal clear day with blue skies, and while the sunshine was more than welcome, it did create a few minor blips.  First there is the issue of sunscreen: PUT SOME ON!  The first time we went on Billy Goat Section A, we were mostly shaded by the trees as the sun was setting.  At noon, the midday sun takes no prisoners.  Luckily Emily had brought some and slathered my back.  Yup, even with a pack on, the sun will still getcha!  Luckily Section B was much shadier.

Now, another problem that the sun presented was hydration.  Drink, drink, drink!  I had a 70oz (2 liter) Camelback bladder in my pack and not long after starting Section B I was empty.  A week and a half ago when we did C, B, and A I had water to spare.  This time, two hours in the midday sun used up the entire bladder.  Luckily Emily (she's so smart!) had brought a bottle of water in addition to her Camel bladder and so I was able to use that.  After completing Section B, as we headed back toward the car,  we stumbled upon a water fountain just off the towpath across an unmapped bridge.  Life saver!
All in all, it was really fun.  Taking into consideration the time of day and the type of day can really make or break your trip.  Not carefully planning ahead (like we didn't) and being prepared, can be the difference between a blistering sunburn and dehydration and a fun, healthy, trip.

Happy trails!