Date: 2018-07-31
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: mist

Around dawn I thought I saw Swiss Chris through my squinted eye.  Thirty minutes later I sat up to see that he was really there.  I met Swiss Chris and his hiking partner Avocado at Tumbelina¢s place.  Swiss Chris is a36 year old teacher from Switzerland. He¢s here on a 6 months visa specifically to hike the A.T.  He met Avocado on trail. Avocado is a 20 something new college grad with an Environmentalist degree.  They had decided to try the 24 hour challenge. This is a challenge to hike from Virginia to a Pennsylvania in 24 hours.  I don¢t know the exact mileage, but a lot of people do it. Apparently they started yesterday afternoon, but the rain and fog got the best of them.  They stopped at our shelter to eat and nap.  We haven¢t seen them since we left this morning.  We started out going up.  There were ¢stairs¢, and lots of them!  Once I was at the top it was great.  The path was fairly smooth with occasional small rock scrambles.  It was still foggy, so I nearly walked right up on a deer before I saw her.  I got a nice photo before she hopped to the other side of the path.  I had no idea, but there was a second deer there. I accidentally scared the bejeepers out of them with my trekking poles.  It didn¢t last long, but some time with wildlife was a nice treat this morning. I¢m glad I was able to enjoy those deers because at that moment the terrain changed.  Rocks, rocks, and more rocks!  All shapes, sizes, and angles.  Rocks are difficult enough, but remember it rained last night?  Wet rocks can seriously be treacherous.  Hugs and I began to peck our way through.  About 8 miles in I came to a shelter. We had already planned to meet there so I went on down, and to the privy.  As I was walking back from the privy I heard Hugs call my name.  She had fallen on a wet rock. Sometimes it doesn¢t matter how careful you are.  We took an hour long break.  Debated staying there or moving on.  The rain had held off and it was only 5 miles to the next shelter, so we decided to push on knowing we had 1200ft of UP. The air was heavy today. I guess from the fog.  All of this wetness and humidity made the fungi happy, and the toads happy!! I have been seeing these tiny little brown toads lately.  They¢re so cute.  No bigger than a goldfish. I was pleasantly surprised when the forest opened up into a field.  The sun was trying to shine at that moment.  I was looking down at a farm and walking past a row of giant round hay bales. There were butterflies and sparrows flying around.  It just felt good to be there!  Hugs caught up to me just I was going back into the woods.  The sun had not yet been able to dry up the woods. At least the rocks were gone, but it was muddy. I was on a decline in the mud when my turn to fall came up. Yep, down went McGinney! No injuries.  I was covered in mud, but hiked on.  We crossed paths with a couple of local day hikers who told us of some trail magic in the creek. Cokes and water!  I only heard Cokes!  Whoever put them in the water for us to keep them cool was a genius, however they were literally in the middle of the creek.  I tried to stay above the water on rocks, but just couldn¢t do it.  Both boots are soaked. But my Coke was delicious!  We continued hiking to Raven Rock Shelter. This place is the resort of shelters! Wow!  So nice!  I had breakfast for supper with hot chocolate to drink.  My belly is full and my heart is happy!! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?