Johns Hollow Shelter
Day: 9-2002
Mileage: 763
06/11/02 12:15 pm
Got to here about a half hour ago and it is just too hot
to hike up that bighill right now!
Had a good night in Glasgow. Great town for hikers
everything is so close as shown below:
Lib |
|
|
|
P |
G | the main road
--------------------+------------------------
L HR GD
L - laundry
H - Hotel
R - Resuraunt
G - Grocery
D - Deli
P - Post office
Lib- Library winth internet
Had a good breakfast at the resturant and check out.
Asked about a ride to the trail and picked up the phone
and said he will be here in a few minutes. Got fuel,
finished packing and he was waiting for me. Nice ride
back to the trail.
Did see BugBite before I left and asked here how it was
going and she replied "awful" and left. G_d help her get
back on the trail!
06/11/02 2:37 pm
Just woke up and saw a very young deer, it didn't have
spots but was just at the age to loose them I am sure.
Slept for about 1.5 hours, what else is there to do in
this heat?
06/11/02 8:51 pm
Joined by three thru hikers and three kidds (Chis, Styx
and Tipsy) hiking from Damasscus to the end of VA. Still
hot but cooling off. Hoping to wake up early tomarrow and
get moving in the cool of the day.
According to the register there is trail majic at VA 39
(aprox 3 miles after the next shelter. He serves
Breakfast and Dinner. We'll see.
Punchbowl Shelter
Day: 10-2002
Mileage: 771.9
06/12/02 9:06 am (Saddle Gap Trail Intersection)
Woke at 5:44am and hiked 4.6 miles before 9am. Great view
of the valley and mnts beyond. I could even see the Radar
installation on Apple Orchard! Glad I waited to do the
uphill this morning!
P.S. When I awoke there were probably double the people
around the shelter as there were when I went to sleep.
06/13/02 7:36 am
Well I got here pretty early and feeling fairly well, but
then all of the sudden I felt like crap! I was realy
tired and had no energry. I fell asleep about 3 times and
finaly had the strenght to get up and eat. Had a great
time with too thru hikers who werent married, but should
be, they sure acted like it. Completed each other
sentances, argued, ect ect.
Well after eating dinner, I felt better still, but then
the bugs came. even with the bivey I got little sleep and
still dont feel that great this morning.
The big news on the trail is the forest fire. I have been
told they have closed the section of the trail south of
the foot bridge over the James.
Well I will try to hike to the next shelter today
(relatively flat but 9 miles) and see how I feel.
This shelter is the most picturesque of the shelters,
with the pond and the trees and all. The crazy frogs sure
made for some interesting night music too.
Brown Mt Creek Shelter
Day: 11-2002
Mileage: 780.7
06/13/02 3:13 pm
Well got up this morning, still not feeling the best, but
started hiking. It was a fairly easy hike today with just
some little ups and lots of down. Got down to FS39 and
got some Trail Majic from a couple that does it for a
week at a time (he thruhiked a log time ago and they
honymooned at Puchbowl shelter). Didnt get the full
treatment because I got there as they were packing up,
but still got 3 ice teas and two cheese sandwiches.
The hike around the reservoir was not much, and the rest
of the hike to the shelter was easy. Everyone here trying
trying to stay cool and get a nap in the heat. G_d it's
HOT, DAMN HOT!
I dont think I would have made it here if it weren't for
the trail majic.
Oh yea, a big school group was just crossing the spillway
when I got there. Must have been 20 people. So much from
a 6 member group max.
06/13/02 7:06 pm
More trail majic: two day hikers come in from the Natural
Bridge Hiking club: Flash and Hotflash who hiked back in
86. Even though they were carying fanny packs, they
pulledout sodas (1/2 can for everyone) and a pound cake.
Made for a nice desert to my speggetti, sauce and
pepperoni.
Most everyone is camped by the creek. Bugbite showed up,
so she is hiking again. Did have to bypass the part from
were she hitched out to the James river due to the fire.
Still DAMN HOT!!!!
Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Mileage: 786.4
06/14/02 12:36 pm (Cold Mnt)
I think today is the weirdest hiking weather I have ever
had. It started off VERY HOT and HUMID with the look of
rain in the sky above. Started hiking and almost sweat to
death. Still no rain. Then I noticed a change in
temperature, it got so cool I was afraid to stop hiking
because when I did I would get way to cold.
Decided to skip the shelter (Cow Camp Gap) and go on 2.2
more miles to spring and campsite.
Now sitting ontop of Cold Mountain. This is a nice spot,
you could call it a bald. The sun is peaking out of the
clouds some time and there is a red tail hawk flying
around.
Other thank being soaked from sweat, I feel very good,
but this spot is so beatiful, I hate to leave!
Hog Camp Gap
Mileage: 788.9
06/14/02 3:43 pm
Talk about coincidence, I came into the field and met a
man and a woman, the woman introduced herself as 'Trail
Snail' from 1996. At that point I realized that she was
THE Trail Snail that someone was refering to in an
argument with the Trail Snail (aka Snail No More) in wich
the person said he had to change his trail name because
it was already taken. He was going to change it anyway
but thats rediculous. Anyway she said when she heard
about it she was imbarised (you see it was a friend of
her's who objected). I told her the she should contact
Snail No More and tell him that.
We also started comparing notes on who we knew back in
96. Just cant believe what a small world it is.
Nice water source down the road from here so I stoped for
an early dinner (Rammen Noodles and penutbutter
crackers). Thinking about moving on though. Feel good and
there are still 4 more hours of daylight. Well see.
Wolf Rock
Day: 12-2002
Mileage: 794
06/14/02 9:08 pm
Made it here and couldnt hike no more. sill a 13 mile
day. After the initial heat and the crazy weather it
turned into a great day to hike. I didn't want to waste
the hiking weather!
Found a good site here to camp, but no water. Wasa able
to cook donner, but have little left for breakfast.
Theatening to rain, but only a few drops so far.
Here with one other, but as ususal I can't remember his
name.
He did tell me how Sir Lady James got his trail name. He
was in a bar early in his hike and said he would wear a
dress in the next town for $100, but as the evening went
on and more drinks whent in it went down to $10. And he
did wear the dress in the next town. Hence the name..
06/15/02 7:46 am
Well it rained only a few drops last night, but it was
cold! Woke up and had a hard time getting out of the
bivey. Temperature now is OK but the wind chill is
freezing. Must get moving...out of water!
The Priest Shelter
Day: 13-2002
Mileage: 803.1
06/15/02 2:47 pm
Just arrived at the shelter. Good day hiking, but I am
bushed. Think I will call it a day here.
Got a little trail majic from a church camp. I first met
them at Fish Hatchery Rd and they gave me an orage, then
again at spy rock were I got a drink, cookies and an
apple. Nice group.
Speaking of Spy Rock, what a veiw! you could see
everything for miles. No wonder why the Confederate
Soldiers used it as a lookout!
Great weather for hiking, cool with a strong breeze and
probably in the 70's.
Boy I am tired...I think I will try to take a nap and
clean some cloths (they all stink)!
06/15/02 5:50 pm
Forgot to mention the bandanna. I somehow droped my
bandanna, probably while taking off my coat after Spy
Rock, and probably about an hour of hiking I find a
Bandanna by the trail in a small tree (probably the tree
grabed it from a hikers backpack). It even seems clean!
There must be a bandanna g_d!
06/16/02 8:51 am
Cold night again last night but slept ok. Was in the
shelter with "The Natural". Nice guy with dredlocks (a
ski bumb from NH). Good conversation and company. This
morning he said he might have a stress fracture in his
foot and is thinking about pulling out to get it checked.
I hope it is just a strain and rest will cure it for him.
Well best be off to decend "The Preist".
Maupin Field Shelter
Day: 14-2002
Mileage: 816.8
06/16/02 8:10 pm
Made it here about 1.5 hours ago after probably the
toughest hiking I have done in years! The trail reminded
me of PA and wasn't maintained well, weeds overgowing the
loose rock trail made the uphill very hard, the downhill
was much better, with obviously new waterbars and steps.
It was also mmy longest day yet on this trip, milage
wise, at 13.7 miles with one 3000 ft decent and one 3000
ft acent on top of the milage.
Here with the Old Man and Vmonster, nice people!
Well according to the new Thru hikers handbook, the next
sheter is 16 miles away, not 12 as in 96, wonder why?
Wonder if I can make it to the shelter tomarrow? We'll
see?
Over 100 miles for the trip...and there was much
rejoicing!!!!!
06/17/02 7:15 am
Didn't sleep to good last night. Started off fine, but
after falling asleep, Metree showed up and woke me up.
Then I was tossing and turning all night. Woke up early
because everyone esle was making noise and couldn't get
back to sleep.
Don't know what to do today. Map and old guide say 12 to
next shelter, new into says 16. Hu?
Well must more on, maybe I will try for town today, but I
doubt it.
Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
[According to the Damascus Website, Rusty's is Closed as
of 2002!]
Sign in Harpers Creek Shelter said "Rusty's Hrad Time
Hollow is closed!! From stress & lack if support!"
Paul Wolfe Memorial Shelter
Day: 15-2002
Mileage: 829.7
06/17/02 8:57 pm
Here with so many people I lost count, One is a section
hiker, the rest thru hikers. Tuff day today, especially
since the relocation wasn't marked well and I had no idea
were I was going. Got into the shelter surprisingly early
since it was a 16 mile day. My right leg is starting to
bother ne alongwith my left knee, but Vitamin I is
working for now. I am just afraid my leg will stiffen
overnight and I wont be able to hike into Waysboro.
Some nice views today, but the trail reminded me of PA,
rocks rocks and more rocks.
This shelter is fantastic, even with all these people, it
isnt full! It is a two decker with a porch! Even has
windows! Nice water source too, I was even able to take a
'bath' and rinse my cloths.
Overall a tiring day. I got to stop these 10% days. I do
plan to take an extra day in Waynsboro! Zero
Day....YEA!!!! FOOD...YEA!! BED...YEA!!!
Rockfish Gap - BRP/I-64/US250
Day: 16+17-2002
Mileage: 834.9
06/18/02 5:00 pm
Well I am back at Rockfish Gap one more time. Made good
time into town after a very crowed night at the shelter.
When I arrived at the Gap, I went to the visitors center
and sure enough they do provide rides into town for
hikers. The guy I road with was a hiker (although he only
hikes in the area). He didn't have too many nice things
to say about the outfitter though. Got to the hotel
(Comfort Inn) and did a pack explosion followed by a
shower. Then whent in serch of the A.Y.C.E. Chineese
Buffet and the post office. Then rested some more (god
its good to be in town). Now at the Laundrymat trying to
clean the toxic waste off my cloths.
Waynsville is nice but it seem I have done more walking
today than I do on the trail....everything is so spread
out (especially compared to Glasslow)!
So far out on the trail the big news of the year is still
the Fire near Glasgow. Hikers are being shuttled around
the area just South of the James river (about an 11 mile
strech of trail is closed).
06/19/02 11:16 pm
Well I took a zero day today, although with all the
walking I did you probably wouldn't know it. First I
stayed in bed late, 9am. I took a shower (after making
coffee inthe room) then went for the continental
breakfast, wich was closed because it was so late. Then I
talked to some hikers awaiting a ride to the trail. I was
almost hoping for a ride to the outfitters, but the car
was small and there were three hikers. So I walked to
Wesie's for breakfast and ran into more hikers, including
Redwood. We ended up walking to the outfitters after
breakfast. We spent about an hour and a half there, and I
spent $150! I bought a new filter cartridge, and LED
headlamp, boot goop, a shirt, pair of sox and a head
covering called the BUFF. We were able to get a ride back
with Sherrie Terrell (504-448-3324) who provides rides to
hikers (she took two hikers from the outfitters to the
trail then got me and redwood and drove us back to town).
Nice lady, I will give her a call tomarrow when I am
ready to leave and get a lift from her to the trail! I
then whent to the post office to mail my flashlight, one
shirt (replaced), film, map excetra back to mom and dad.
After a little longer I walked up to the steakhouse and
ordered the biggest steak they had! Upon rturning I
reconditioned my hiking boots. Now sitting in a dark
hotel room trying my new LED headlamp. It is MUCH better
than the old flashlight when it comes to using my
palmtop! I even think I could hike with it in a pinch.
Only complaint for the day was my right foot, somehow I
have new blisters on it (I think due to a bandaid and the
walk to Wesie's), but I took care of it and I think it
will be ok.
