Date: September 29 2000
Trail Day: 121
Miles Today: 20
Location: Near Loudon Heights
Section Mile: AT 1125
ECT Mile: 1820
Fairly cold morning. You would need a jacket if not hiking. After an
initial climb it was almost all flat. The miles just flew by. Met Gecko
and Moss along the trail. There were also more local and weekend hikers
because it was Friday. Plucked an apple that was very sweet - wonderful !
I was hoping to stay at the Hostel just to the north of Harpers Ferry,
but they were booked up. I was quite disappointed. Continued into
Harpers Ferry. This is a very important point for AT hikers - probably
right next to Mt. Katahdin and Mt. Springer. It is roughly the midpoint
of the trail and most flip-floppers begin/end here.
Went to a pub. The waiter was an ex-hiker called Badger. He had been
hiking till about 2 weeks ago and just decided to live here - amazing.
He had been hiking with Razmataz, Torn and Cinderella whom I had met in
Duncannon.
Stopped by at the ATC head-quarters. They take photos of all thru-hikers and
section hikers. I am # 76 south bound. I think I was 130 or so leaving
Katahdin. All places to stay in Harpers Ferry are expensive so I decided to
move on. I will thus be passing a big group of hikers - Cicely, Gecko, Moss,
Chilly, Brisco, EZE, British Bug, Looking Glass, Hypothetical, Firebreather,
Fall Girl, Springer and Still Searchin. I had almost become part of their
tribe.
Sleeping in the open tonight and hoping it doesn't rain.
Here's a poem on thru-hiking and thru-hikers.
Seekers
The trail with life simple and austere,
Pulls us from every sphere.
White, black, yellow and brown,
We trace our trees the world around.
Electricians, Plumbers and volunteers,
Teachers, Firemen and Engineers.
Enter the wilderness with trail names,
There's Go Slo and a Freight train.
Gypsy, Pixie and a Pack rat,
Two brothers - Captain and Acrobat.
But despite these differences and more,
We all share an inner core.
We're reaching out with wide open arms,
For something - we know not its form.
With feeble hands we grope the dark,
To catch a glimpse of life's spark.
You can see it in our eyes all glazed,
That the long, hard path is a pilgrimage.
You can hear it in our voice and speech,
That each of us is here to seek.
Date: September 30 2000
Trail Day: 122
Miles Today: 17
Location: Bear's Den Hostel
Section Mile: AT 1142
ECT Mile: 1837
Stuff kept falling all night - acorns, leafs and twigs. I realized that
during fall its not just the leaves that fall but also twigs. They make
quite a racket at night. Since I was sleeping with no tarp I did not want
anything to fall into my eyes.
The first portion of the hike was fairly easy but towards the end there were
a lot of ups and downs and I slowed down quite a bit. Also met and talked
to a nice couple - the lady was from Quebec and knew about the IAT. They
asked me a bunch of questions about the trail.
There were also different fruits along the trail. I sampled one of each
new variety. Some taste quite good, some others are so bitter and strong
that they leave a strong after taste. Stopped by at David Lesser Shelter.
Took a
shot.
Got to Bear's Den Hostel. Its a wonderful place. The shower
was just heavenly. Ate 4 burritoes and a Ben & Jerry's icecream. It would
be a very nice place for a O if it had shops and such nearby.
Today I entered Virginia fully (the trail ran along the W. Virginia/Virginia
border for about 15 miles). Virginia is my 13th state and a very long one. I
think its about 600 miles, so I will be in it for about a month and a
half.
Date: October 1 2000
Trail Day: 123
Miles Today: 19
Location: Dick's Dome Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1161
ECT Mile: 1856
Had a pint of Ben & Jerry's icecream for breakfast. Met a guy from Australia.
He is touring the US for 6 months on a motor cycle. Most of the time he
camps in people's backyards.
The terrain is getting quite hilly as we head into the Shenandoah's. The
first 10 miles were almost all up or down. I have been wondering whether
a fruit was edible. Its green about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide and has
a very good, sweet taste. I asked one of the day hikers what it was. It's
a pawpaw and is edible. I was quite happy. You can fill up on this easily.
Also found some wild grapes. I also plucked some of the leaves. I have
read that you can cook them. They do that in the Mediterranean.
Saw a turtle feeding on a little mushroom.
Turtle Scene
Mr. Turtle, red, yellow and black,
Sat on the trail, eating his snack.
A mushroom with a red top,
The recent rains have brought a good crop.
I watched him feed for quite a while,
And continued on with a big smile.
Date: October 2 2000
Trail Day: 124
Miles Today: 10
Location: Near Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1194
ECT Mile: 1889
Got an early start and got into Linden by 10 AM. Bought groceries and ate.
Also got my mail. Kumar had sent me my CD for depositing. Suriyan had
sent me another alcohol stove. Look's like he's been experimenting
with them for the past month. Thanks Suriyan. Also got the next set of
maps from Vivek. Also bought 3 beers to carry on the trail. Decided to take
a short day - 10 miles. Drank the beer and ate the sandwiches.
Date: October 3 2000
Trail Day: 125
Miles Today: 18
Location: Gravel Springs Hut
Section Mile: AT 1212
ECT Mile: 1907
Its interesting - every time I try to find a place to tarp off the trail
I think I have walked too far, only to find the next morning that I can
clearly see a blaze from my spot. Same thing today.
Today was a climb up the Shenandoahs. Its not steep but goes on forever.
Found numerous apple trees. Some were nice and red. Started seeing more
people after I entered the SNP (Shenandoah National Park). Its very
beautiful and I took several shots.
shot 1
shot 2
shot 3
shot 4
Got to the shelter. H Monster, Sweatbox and Blue were also there. I have been
following their journal entries for the past few days.
Date: October 4 2000
Trail Day: 126
Miles Today: 16
Location: Near Mary's Rock
Section Mile: AT 1228
ECT Mile: 1923
Today was the first day on the AT when I could get both lunch and dinner
at stores. There are several of these located along Skyline Drive. It is
not at all crowded right now. The colors are in the process of changing.
It is quite beautiful even now. Took some shots.
shot 1,
shot 2,
shot 3,
shot 4.
The terrain is OK except
for the long climbs up big mountains. Bought a book on proverbs at one of the
stores.
Date: October 5 2000
Trail Day: 127
Miles Today: 13
Location: Rock Spring Hut
Section Mile: AT 1241
ECT Mile: 1939
Short hike today. Heard a bear running. I had seen another one 3 days ago.
Also saw a very timid deer.
Met a day-hiker - Mickey. She works in the police department and gets 3 months
off every year and takes up a cashier's job at different national parks.
Had food at Lakeside. Met Leading and Trailing at the hut. They are a
friendly couple. They are hiking half the trail this year. They also told
me of 3 beers sitting in the spring which I dutifully polished off.
Sweatbox, Blue and H. Monster also showed up.
Looks like the temperature is going to take a dive after several days of
excellent weather.
A misty morning shot
