Chapter 4 Summary

Before long, Bryson and Katz manage to settle into the trek. They rise at dawn, eat a breakfast of raisins and Snickers, and hike until late afternoon. They usually walk separately, since Katz is slower. Along the way, they meet many different types of hikers, including students, older couples, and solo hikers like the goofy and talkative Mary Ellen, who attaches herself to them. For a couple of days, Mary Ellen criticizes their choice of tent, food and boots, but she turns out to be just as inexperienced a hiker as Bryson and Katz. After a day of hiking with her, they come to Neels Gap, where there is an inn with a store, laundry facility and showers, all of which they take advantage of. A few hours later they are refreshed and ready to return to the trail, and they find that...