Date: 2010-06-06
From: Duncannon Doyle Hotel

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

I was excited about getting on the trail so I was up and on the trail before 7:00. The group of boyscouts had taken the steep blueblaze down to get water and brought back plenty. I accepted a share and left with enough to get me through the day. The t-storms that have been regular afternoon visitors were expected to make a earlier appearance today. The sky was cloudy and the expected heat was slowed because the sun couldn't break through which was good as far as I was concerned. After the leasurely pace that I have been afforded this past week my legs felt strong and I was rearing to go. The terrain and the condition of the trail was conducive to moving along at a good clip. My first stop was at the 7 mile mark and I was impressed with myself as it was not even 10:00am yet. I took a 10 minute rest and continued on. It was probably the best section of trail that I have had with very few sections of rocky conditions and about as level as it could yet. I banged out the next 7 miles in the same fashion and completed the 14 miles just before 1:00pm. I ate a quick lunch and put my pack cover on as it began to spit from above. I decided that it was warm enough and I would go without my raingear if the rain materialized into something more substantial. After the 15 minute lunch I was again heading north. The only others I saw on the trail was a family of 4 out for a couple day hike. The two teen girls were leading the way as I began to hike past as they approached. They were very friendly as I attempted to continue on but was slowed and stopped as we chatted and shared our hikes in the quick "hiker on the move fashion". I really enjoy seeing couples and families out enjoying and experiencing the outdoors together. I was asked about lonliness and the onset of the usual depression associated with reaching the 1/2 way point and the Rocksylvania torture trail. Another day might have provoked a differant answer but I without hesitation was able to share my good fortune of having family at the end of todays hike. Soon after the rain fell. It fell in buckets. It poured hard and then harder and harder still. It actually felt good but I was soaked to the core. My only concern was that my underware getting to wet and causing chaffing but that never happened. I arrived at the blueblaze turn. It was a .03 side trail that ended at the shelter. My expected arrival was going to be a conservitive between 4:00 and 5:00 but I actually arrived at 2:30. The rain had stopped a little before I hit the blueblaze and when I showed up at the shelter the gang was in the process of bringing back to life a fire they got going before the deluge. Hugs and kisses all around before getting down to the business of securing sleeping space in the shelter that held 7 people. Soon after two more hikers showed up and took the last of the spaces in the shelter. Before the day was over atleast 6 more hikers stopped by looking for a spot. With all the sleeping bags and pads layed out it was obvious that there was not any room. We were able to keep the fire going until dark before we all settled in for the night. The boys were feeling very good as their hike in was easy and they had lots of down time at the shelter. There was only the 6 mile hike out tomorrow and that was also a mental messager. There we were as dark took control of the night the 5 Quinn boys side by side drifting off in the coolness of the night.