Sauders Shelter
Day: 57
Mileage: 460.8
06/10/96 6:50 pm
Well I got up in good time and whent to the post office to mail my ship ahead box, film and some winter gear as well as Snail No More's and Jim 'Syd's' ship ahead boxes. Then I went to the grocery and picked up doghnuts, chocolate milk and pinapple/orange juice. Ate and packed and then I was off.
Within a few miles I felt like CRAP! I felt dead tired and had a very upset stomach. Decided to take a nap at a small campsight. It did help and I got here feeling a little better. Took a dump and that helped to, but I still had to force a dinner down. Hope I feel better tommarow.
On the brighter side, the trail was switch-backed and the two 1,000 ft climbs were pretty easy (espicailly when compared to the Tenn. Eastman Hiking Club - we dont believe in switchback climbs. Glad to be in Virinia!
Also, I might have the shelter to myself tonight. Only 2 others here and they are tenting. This will be the first time on the officail AT if no one shows up.
I sort of hope that Crag (who stayed at The Place to let his blisters heal) and Waldo catch up, but whatever happends happends.
06/11/96 8:29 am
Well I was alone in the shelter last night, well sort of. The mice were very plentiful and kept on waking me up. So I did not get as much sleep as I was hoping to.
Feeling a little better this morning, but not sure if I am able to do the 19+ to Thomas Knob Shelter. Will decide at Lost Mountain Shelter.
06/11/96 8:44 am
While packing up a mouse fell from the ceiling and brushed my face on the way down.....and someone said there wasn't a mouse problem here. BULL!
Lost Mt Shelter
Day: 58
Mileage: 467.2
06/11/96 6:37 pm
Annother day of being a bum. I only hiked 6.4 miles here and decided not to attempt the 12+ more to the next shelter. So I just sat around and read. Also had a great nap, wich made up for last night.
Feeling better today, and actually hungry after a full dinner, pudding, a nuti-grain bar AND M&M.s. I hope this is the end of feeling crappy.
Here being entertained by a group of 2 men and three boys trying to cook pancakes on a wisperlight stove. I am surprised that they are edible (but he is getting good at it).
Oh, a story from yesterdays hike: I was crossing US58 at Straight Branch when a man and his son were sitting. The man asked how far the AT whent and when I said Georgia to Maine the boys jaw just dropped and the man (his father) siad 'I told you, I told you'. The expression on the boys face was precious!
Well tomarrow it is off to wild pony land (Mt. Rodgers).
06/11/96 7:51 pm
The group that was cooking pandcakes are from Minisido and have built a wonderful campfire (well more like bondfire) added campfire ashes to it so they have been used in every state so far.
Thomas Knob Shelter
Day: 59
Mileage: 479.4
06/12/96 9:19 pm
Today I woke up to threatening skies and they delivered as promissed. Of course it waited until I got to Buzzards Rock and Whitetop so that I wouldn.t get a view (what else is new). Got to Elk Garden and it was actually sunny enough to stop and dry out and eat lunch.
Made it here ok, G-d it is nice to be in a section were the club believes in switchbacks. When I got here I I met the local wildlife. The ponies were supposidly wild but one came up to me looking for a handout and I was able to pet it. Also here are cows including a horney bull that kept on trying to mount a non-reseptive cow.
They have an intresting privey here. It is a solar powered composting privey. I guess the pannels run a motor to stir the crap.
The shelter is nice and large, with two floors and plenty of space. Here with two others (when the horses and cows are not around!).
Finaly today I felt 100% again.
P.S. Found out about the new shelter at Wilson Creek about 5 miles away, but it realy doesn't change my hiking plans. The guy who told me about it said 'Yea, it's so new the mice haven't moved in yet!'
06/13/96 10:30 am
Just got back from my slackpack to the summit of Mt Rogers. It was GREAT! A totaly different eco-system than any other part of the hike. Reminded me of the rainforest in Washington State (well the fog and dampness of the place helped make that connection - yes it did rain almost all night!). It was worth it just to see all that, but I also can say .I climbed the highest point in Va.. and .I climbed Mt Rogers!.
Old Orchard Shelter
Day: 60
Mileage: 490.3
06/13/96 1:28 pm
What a day so far! Cimbed Mt Rogers, saw some great views between Thomas Knob Shelter and Little Wilson Creek Shelter. Taking a break here at the new shelter. Nice one too. Even took a .swim. in the creek which felt great! Funny how today started out cold and overcast, cleared up and warmed up, and now it is clouding over once again.
Feeling great but the hiking was hard and with all the views it really slowed me down. A lot of the hiking reminded me of Philmont for some reason.
One sad note: they have a reward poster up in the shelter for information about the murders of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans who were killed in Shenandoah National Park on June 1.
One note about the new shelter: it seems to have a LOT of flies!
06/13/96 8:40 pm
The rest of the day was plesant, but the 12 or so miles here seemed to go on and on and on. The weather held out and actually whent back to sunny and quite warm.
When I got here there were three groups already here, but they did not take the shelter. One was a church group, one a camp, and the last was a high adventure trip for Troop 39. Talked to the scout troop leaders. They are from Bill Irwin.s home town and they have herd him speek a few times. I asked it Orient died, as someone has said, but they told me that was not the case.
The groups all now all playing capture the flag and it is reminding me so much of every game I hqve ever heard. The lost player when a game is done, the were are the boundries again argument, and all the other usual sounds of the game. Ah the memories.
Sunset here was better than average and the selter was facing it so I was able to enjoy it more than usual.
Overall a great day to celibrate my 2 month aniversary on!!
06/14/96 8:49 am
The groups were well behaved last night and, for the most part, quiet by 9:30 - 10pm. One group sent over some smores for us, wich was FANTASTIC!
This shelter has a cheep guitar in it wich cannot be tuned. Both Sneakers and I tried with no luck. We think the neck bends when you tune one string, detuning the rest. But it made for some fun trying.
Well off for a 14 mile day!
Trimpi Shelter
Day: 61
Mileage: 504.7
06/14/96 7:46 pm
Well, I hiked 14.4 miles today, and made good time. Finding that I am looking at my feet more and the beautiful suroundings less. I have to work at improving this.
I don.t know if it is the Va Blues or what, but I have been a little less than enthusiastic ever since entering this area. It is beautiful and has good trails most of the time, but something is a miss.
Took a shower at the falls on Comers Creek, it was cold, but I can.t say the water was unpoluted.
Also met Charlotte, the ridge Runner for this section (Damascus to just beyond this shelter). Nice woman. She just love the Santa and his Elf story from the Smokeys.
Here right now with Sneakers, it lookes like we left the crouds behind! Glad I got out of there befor the weekend!
Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters
Day: 62
Mileage: 515.2
06/15/96 9:09 pm
Todays hike was unexciting, but being here is great. I couldn.t decide weather to stay or not, I was hoping for pizza but no one would go in with me (with a $20 minimum), but then others showed up and it turned into a party. The Ice House Gang brought beer and then we got pizza. The brothers were also here. It was exactly what I needed since I was a little down on hiking. It.s great!!
06/16/96 7:56 am
Last night the stars were out big time. We also spotted 4 sattelites and 2 shooting stars. There was also some great lightning in the distance.
The bugs were out and it was hot so half way through the night I switched from my sleeing bag to my bivey. Thank G-d I am picking up my polarfleeese bag liner in Atkins.
Having a big motovation problem. Can.t seem to get myself to do big days. At this rate I will only get part way through VA before I have to leave the trail, but I have the attitude that I get done what I get done.
US11 / I-81
Day: 63->64
Mileage: 526.8
06/16/96 8:36 pm
Once again the hike was uneventful. It was also very HOT going through fields for the last 1 to 2 hours to here at the peak heat of the day.
But once here, and with a good shower, food, drinks and a bug free nap it made it all worth while. Most of the Icehouse Gang is here as well.
Decided to spend two nights here and I am going to try to get into Marion to get a camera at Wal-Mart to replace that 110 pice of crap (with a new 35mm).
Still a little board with hiking, but hoping two nights of good sleep will improve my outlook.
06/17/96 8:48 pm
Well I got a hell of a lot done today. First off I got a new camera! Next I got rid of all my winter gear and lightened my pack by a number of pounds! I reloaded on food and fuel, caught up on my sleep and have a little roser outlook on hiking again. Overall I NEEDED THE DAY OFF!
One good/bad story: I needed to drop my wintergear and ship ahead box at the postoffice and called a taxi about a half hour before the post office would close. They told me about 5-10 min. Well 20 min whent by and I was afraid the taxi would show up and the post office would be closed so I called them and asked if they would be staying a little longer and would they please let me in. The Postmaster, a sweet woman, said she would! But after all was said and done the cab stood me up. I guess they knew the post office closed at 5 and I wouldn.t make it. I called the post office at 5:15 to let her know that I was stood up and to thank her again. I felt so bad for putting her to the trouble for nothing. I definitly have to send her a thank you card or something!
Tomarrow I will hit the trail again, after I drop off the stuff at the post office of course. Hopefully in Perrisburg by next tuesday.
Equipment Notes:
Sent Home:
North Face Sleeping Bag
Polar Fleece Jacket
2 Pair of convertable shorts
1 Pair of legs (for above)
2 pair underware
110 camera
1 duofold shirt (shipped ahead)
Threw out:
2 pair of worn out Therlo Soxs
Replaced above with:
Polar Fleece sleeping bag liner
2 pair bathing suit
2 Pair of ultimax soxs
Mesh .Strong Man. Shirt
Also note that the Pur Scout can feel like it needs a new cartrige when all it needs is a good cleaning or the 4 holes under the rubber band are partly clogged!!
