Archive for the ‘Appalachian Trail’ Category

Honest Abe

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

6/13/12 – 856 miles
Everyone at the shelter was up early. I packed my tent in the predawn darkness and made my way to the shelter to find Sicilian Gypsy and Kleenex both up and packing their things. It was 21 miles into Waynesboro and we knew it would be a long day.

I hiked out of camp first and about an hour later Kleenex caught me by the trash barrel on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We always dump our trash and lighten our load by an ounce or two every chance we get.

The trail passed across several cliff overlooks, many that were shrouded with fog and mist from the morning rain, but gradually the sky cleared and we could see Waynesboro many miles in the distance.

Along about 10:00 am we met another thruhiker. It was Honest Abe, whom I hadn’t seen since… well, in a long time. Then there were three of us all being pulled toward the comfort of civilization. We made excellent time and enjoyed each others company as the miles slid by effortlessly.

It was only 4:00 pm when we arrived at Rockfish Gap, the trail exit to Waynesboro. We were almost an hour earlier than Kleenex had arrainged for her sister to meet us. Honest Abe got a ride into town with some friends and Kleenex and I sat down in the shade of an abandoned building, eating kettlecorn Kleenex bought from a nearby vender. It was a nice relaxing wait and in no time a car pulled up. It was great to meet Allison, Kleenex’s sister, and I can’t thank her enough for the ride.

Weather Delay

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

6/12/12 – 835 miles
It rained hard during the night and morning brought more of the same. I was in no hurry to get back on the trail and get wet. A check on the Weather Channel showed clearing and high pressure moving in as the day wore on, so there was plenty of time to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

I’m with three other thruhikers: Yeti and Kentucky, two girls that met on the trail, and Funnybone, a retired orthopedic surgeon. We talked and ate slowly as we waited for the rain to let up, until eventually, we knew we couldn’t put it off anymore.

The B&B owners took me back to the trail and I made my way up and over a mountain called the Priest. Ordinarily, there are great views from The Priest but everything was socked in. I made good time down the mountain, crossed a real neat suspension bridge, and arrived at Harper’s Creek Shelter by 4:00 pm. At the shelter I met Sicilian Gypsy and we both decided to move on to Maupin Shelter only 6.2 miles north. Usually, I can figure 2 mph, but the trail switchbacked up a 4000 foot mountain littered with jagged boulders. It was almost 8 when I arrived.

At the shelter I met up once again with Kleenex. We didn’t have much time to talk because I was in a hurry to set up my tent and make dinner before darkness or rain descended. I did learn that Kleenex’s sister was picking her up in Waynesboro the next day and that she could give me a ride into town. For AT hikers, transportation into town is precious and I greatfully accepted.

Dutch Haus B&B

Monday, June 11th, 2012

6/11/12 – 817 miles
I’m in a place called the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello, VA. I only walked six miles to the road crossing, and then another two into town. The B&B offers free shuttles to and from the trail but you have to be able to call them – no thanks AT&T.

I’m here to pick up my canister stove I had Karen mail to me. It actually turned out well for several reasons: The day started with rain and I am warm and dry, this place is beautiful and the food is delicious, food, shower, bed, laundry, a very cute niece of the family to wait on me. What more could I ask for.

24 Miles

Monday, June 11th, 2012

6/10/12 – 814 miles
Feet do not like to walk 24 miles. Physically, I felt good, it seemed like I could walk on forever but my feet said enough. After twenty miles of walking, my body enters a state of euphoria where it seems like my head is floating somewhere over the trail, detached but not quite aware. It’s probably a dangerous condition because of a lack of concentration.

I intended to stop at a campground at 18 miles but the open, snake-infested meadow, left me no choice but to push on. Six miles didn’t seem too far with four hours of daylight left. I was one tired puppy when I finally climbed into my tent.

I’m without my friends again. Blue Sky and Comma-Kaze are behind me and Kleenex has gone on ahead. It seems to be the way of the trail, we are all together and yet apart, each struggling with the desire to move north in our own pilgrimage. No one can walk the trail for you. It is ultimately a solo quest.

Together Again

Monday, June 11th, 2012

6/9/12 – 790 miles
In the morning we hitched back to the trail. Kleenex was going to stop at the first shelter but I wanted to go on for a few more miles. When it doesn’t get dark until 9:00 pm, it’s hard to stop early.

We split up at the trail head, Kleenex was faster climbing the hills in the increasing heat of day. I plodded along until up ahead I saw her stopped in the trail talking with someone. It was Blue Sky, and he told us Comma-Maze was just ahead.

Crew

Crew


I was happy that the four of us would once again be in the same place. I had been regretting not taking a picture of us since we left Daleville. Now I would get the picture.

It was a long, hot climb to the top of Bluff Mountain. I walked part way up with Comma-Kaze. I could tell she was having trouble with the hill because she is usually faster than me but not today. She told me she thought she was dehydrated – she felt weak and shaky – so I gave her some of my Gatorade. She felt better soon after that.

On top of the mountain there is a monument to little Ottie Powell, whose body was found there after he got lost gathering firewood for school back in early 1800’s.

We all stayed at Punchbowl Shelter that night and went to bed with chills after listening to another hiker tell stories of how Little Ollie haunts the shelter. Robo, who thruhiked in 2010, swears his dog sensed something in the darkness, and in the morning, the footprints of a young boy were visable in the dew around his tent. I had to laugh.