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
Date: October 6 2000
Trail Day: 128
Miles Today: 20
Location: Near Swift Run Gap
Section Mile: AT 1261
ECT Mile: 1959
Got a
shot
of H. Monster, Blue, Sweat Box, Leading and Trailing in the
morning.
Today's hike was very easy. I aimed for a 15 mile day but managed a 20. This
doesn't happen too often. Also a very good day for wild life viewing. Saw
several deer. They are so comfortable that they don't run away. I got a
shot
of some of them. Also saw another bear. He was walking along the trail
in the same direction, turned around to look, ran about 100 ft along
the trail before diving into the bushes. Also saw a bobcat. Bobcats are
very shy and it is very rare to see them. He was also on the trail then
ran up some rocks. I thought he would be gone by the time I got there
but he was sitting a little up looking at me. They camouflage very well -
I got a
shot
of him too. His eyes sparked when the flash went off.
The temperature has dropped quite a bit. Also stopped at a restaurant and
store along the way. The week-end crowd is also starting to come in.
They are a friendly lot.
I should be done with the Shenandoah's and into Waynesboro in a little more
than 2 days. I will pick up a mail drop and spend a O day there.
Tried out Suriyan's new stove while cooking. It has a somewhat cumbersome
lighting process although once it gets going it works very well. I need
to experiment more with it.
Date: October 7 2000
Trail Day: 129
Miles Today: 18
Location: Near Loft Mountain Campground
Section Mile: AT 1279
ECT Mile: 1977
Today was a bizarre day. I had no idea what the time was most of the day.
I thought it was 2:00 PM at one point but one of the day hikers told me it
was 5:00 PM. I got to the wayside hoping to get some food but it was
closed. There were several other cars that drove by hoping they were open.
Definitely Government run! It started getting extremely cold and windy.
Set up tarp and slept. Saw one bear and numerous deer today.
A shot
Another shot
Date: October 8 2000
Trail Day: 130
Miles Today: 20
Location: Calf Mountain Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1281
ECT Mile: 1979
Extremely cold night. My feet were numb around 3:00 AM. Nothing much you
can do. Did have a good breakfast at the Loft Mountain Wayside. They did
not open till 9:00 AM and as soon as they opened there was a line of about 30
people. Government run - like I said.
Because of the cold night I decided to make it to the shelter - 20 miles.
The terrain was easy in the beginning but then became quite up and down.
I was quite glad when I reached the shelter. Met John the Baptist
(southbounder) and Church Mouse (section hiker, 97 thru hiker). We had
an interesting conversation. My food turned out tasty for a change.
I need to learn to cook better. It just takes a little more care but
is well worth it.
Tonight promises to be very cold as well.
Shot of a deer
A scenic shot
Another scenic shot
Yet another scenic shot
Date: October 9 2000
Trail Day: 131
Miles Today: 7
Location: YMCA, Waynesboro
Section Mile: AT 1288
ECT Mile: 1986
Last night was C...O...L...D. Could not sleep much. I meed more winter
gear. The pack is becoming quite heavy now - but I have no choice. The
7 mile hike to Rockfish gap went in a flash. Set up tarp at the ground near
the Y. Met Andrew (south bounder). Later on H-Monster and Blue showed
up. Then Grits joined us. I had met Grits (north bounder) in New Hampshire.
He is now doing a section hike of the Shenandoah's. He's certainly picked
a good time to do it. He gave me a ride to K-Mart where I picked up some
more warm clothes and denatured alcohol.
Tomorrow I pick up mail drop, check my e-mail etc.
