Appalachian Trail hikers pause trip as smog reddens sky, eyes in Dutchess County
"It feels like we're hiking in a reptile cage with that red light," hiker Sage Tocci said. "Like, you're walking through the woods and it's red."
People from around the United States who are looking to fulfill their dreams of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail marched directly into the haze that has overtaken the Hudson Valley this week.
Hiking partners Brady Speed and Sag Tocci broke from their monthslong hike Thursday at a trail stop in Pawling — to breathe.
"We kind of knew it was coming," said Tocci, whose trail name is Lil Bit, "But it definitely wasn't part of the plan."
The pair were taking a respite in the shade of a hiker-friendly garden center on Route 22.
The New York leg of the hike so far has been unique.
"It feels like we're hiking in a reptile cage," Tocci said, "Like with that red light. Like, you're walking through the woods and it's red."
Speed and Tocci decided they should not be spending 24 hours a day outside, being constantly exposed to the haze during this part of the hike.
Their plan was to hike another eight miles, and then, instead of camping along the trail, they will stay at a relative's home for a night or two.
"It's hard to get off [the trail]," Tocci said. "It's always hard to change plans."
The U.S. Geological Survey has warned that in hazy conditions air pollution can become trapped along high-elevation stretches of the trail.
"There's been like this black, sooty stuff I've had to wipe off," said Speed, whose trail name is Too Fast, "I think it's coming off the leaves on the brush paths."
"We both had headaches at the end of the day," Tocci said. "We're feeling kind of eh."
The hiking partners, who met in college and had been planning this post-graduation hike, still plan to reach the end of the trail in Baxter State Park, Maine.
They have made friends during the Dutchess County stretch of the hike.
"The community's great. It's been fun. We're so lucky," Tocci said. "Even with the smoke, it's still really, really amazing."
Several other hikers who stopped in Pawling Thursday said they plan to leave the trail just to sleep, but will continue pushing through the haze during the day.
