Date: 2002-07-18
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Miles today: 0.0

If you've read my previous entries you know I've been summarizing my recent two week 165 mile hike on the Trail. I'll try to wrap it up today.Day 12 - Wed Jul 10 13.4 milesWhen I got up on Wednesday the 10th it was overcast. I hitched out of Front Royal to where I left the trail. Got a ride within 10 minutes from a nice gentleman who had hiked the trail himself. He and his wife often shuttle hikers back and forth from Front Royal. Just about the time I started hiking it began to rain. It turned into a slow steady rain, enough for me to use the backpack cover. At about 3 miles I stopped into the Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter to wait it out. There I woke up another SOBO who had been hiking NOBO from Springer for about 500 miles, got a ride to Harpers Ferry and was now SOBO. His trail name is J.C and he is a college professor at East Tenn (I believe) and was doing his first real hike. His plan is to do a third of it before he quits for the summer. We kind of hooked up and hiked together the remaining three days that I had left. It was mid day before we left the shelter and we separated as I was a little slower that first day (and I was eating blackberries along the trail.) When we got to Gravel Springs Hut to stop for the night there were 4 young men out for a weekend hike. They were cool as they shared their pizza and beer. We played hearts under our flashlights until about 10. This shelter was famous for this racoon that rips into the food bags on the bear poles. And supposedly there's this "huge rat" too. I tented while J.C. stayed in the shelter. The other guys tented nearby. Although I heard some noises, I didn't see anything. J.C. did see the racoon who wasn't afraid and the rat which was, in fact, huge. However, no damage was done.Day 13 Thu Jul 11 13,1 miles The next day we hiked into Elk Wallow Wayside for lunch and phone calls. We had a great philly steak combo and a beer. Does it get any better than this? Since we were crossing the parkway we looked up the next stops so as to plan our meals around them. We hiked on to Pass Mountain Hut which was actually quite nice. For dinner J.C. had one of those packaged meals, beef strogonoff, which he let me taste and was quite good. I had the famous Romen noodles which he told me how to cook. (I know, all you have to do is boil noodles but the first time I didn't use enough water.) It was cooing down so I put in extra water which made a nice broth. Just about dark two NOBO's showed up, "No Pain" and "Dirty Harry." This was No Pain's 3rd thru hike and he was a riot to listen to...a really fun guy. Dirty Harry was cool but was trying to work thru a shin splint problem. We all slept in the shelter. I didn't have any problems but No Pain said he had mice visitors.Day 14 Fri Jul 12 19.0 miles On Friday, my last full day, we decided to go for 20 miles to Big Meadows. When J.C. and I stopped for lunch at Skyland, he called ahead and got us a room for $100. He was ready for a shower and comfortable bed and I wanted to be rested so I could drive home when my wife picked me up the next day. The lunch at Skyland was pretty nice, We both had ceaser salads sandwiches fries, chicken appetizer and a beer. They seated us away from the other guests since we were the only hikers in the place. I thought I drank plenty of water but something was weird as the rest of the afternoon I was very dry mouthed and thirsty. I kept drinking water and we stopped at the last shelter before Big Meadows where we both used the spring. Perhaps the reuben I had was too salty with the fries. It wasn't the heat cause it was actually quite pleasant temp wise. Anyway we hiked on to Big Meadows, got there about 7 pm and both took glorious showers. We then went to the bar, had a beer and pizza etc. There was entertainment but we were so tired we went back and crashed around 9:30 - 10:00. In the morning we had a great breakfast and said our good byes. I really engoyed hiking with J.C. as he is a real class act! He also shared some great "light backpacking" info which helped a lot.It took me three hitches to get out 60 miles to the Front Royal gait where Julia picked me up. I started around 8:30 and and got there around 11:30. I rested under the tree just in front of the park entrance. At about 1 p.m. I hiked out a little further where there was a pull off. Shortly, Julia showed up with our Pug dog, Ally. It was great to see them. I drove back to Ohio and we got in around 9:30.The biggest lesson I learned from this hiking experience was that I've got to eat even when I lose my appetite. I was hot and tired going into Harpers Ferry and wasn't eating right. Also, I sweat so much that I've got to make sure I have water even if it means packing more. The other thing is weight. When I started out the 32 pound pack didn't feel that bad. But, believe me, after 10 miles in 90+ degree humid temps it felt heavy. I'm definitely going as light as possible. J.C. made fun of me carrying a small 2 ounce deoderant stick and my fold up toothbrush. I didn't need 3 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts. I'm just going to have to weigh everything and decide. I also didn't pack the right food and not enough. I'll have to learn to like trail food, and like I said before, force myself to eat even when I've lost my appetite. I found the trail friendly in general, especially the NOBO's who stopped and took the time to talk about the Trail and their hike. I think my biggest problem will be homesickness. Perhaps I'll be able to plan some breaks where I can make some visits. The blister, although not too bad, was somewhat of a surprise. I think the right shoes/boots will take care of that. I am going to go with the liners and the wool socks. No problems with legs or knees althogh my calves were a little sore the last day when we did a long gradual cllimb to Big Meadows. I'm glad I did it and will reflect upon it as I prepare for my thru hike. Entries between now and then will be periodic updates on equipment and anything else that comes to mind that might be worth sharing.See you later,