Date: 2018-04-01
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 26Up early, ate oatmeal and enjoyed a cup of tea in our room to use up some extra oatmeal we had. Packed our bags and walked to the strip toward the park again. We had been told you can't hitch hike in town, you have to wait until you're in the park. As we walked we hoped someone would stop and pick us up, but no one did. We walked the entire strip and were just about to enter the park when a guy in a truck at the last gas station asked if we were thru-hiking and were going back to the gap. We said yes, and he said let me put this oil in my truck and I'll give you a ride. We gladly accepted, and as we waited I noticed a wrench sitting on the side of his truck under the hood. I mentioned the wrench, and he said he was glad I noticed it as it belongs to his mechanic and is an expensive wrench. Once were were on the way we found out he hikes quite a bit, and had hiked from Harper's Ferry to Springer a few years ago. He had just come from the gap and giving us a ride was an inconvenience as it is 15 miles of windy road back up there. When we arrived we gave him some gas money and then thanked him profusely. His name was Todd, but his trail name is Toad, Sir Toad to the ladies. Kind of chilly at the gap, so we started with some layers but soon warmed up and ended up hiking in light layers for the rest of the day. It wasn't quite as nice as yesterday, but it was still warm with just some clouds around. We were happy because we hiked some of the prettiest parts of the park today. Stopped for a quick snack at Icewater Shelter and had some nice views as we stretched. Made it to Charlies Bunion, where we had lunch and had some stunning views. Even got Mary to go up on the rock ledge, have the photos to prove it. The rest of the day was mostly a ridge walk with great views around every corner. In 2011 when I did this I nearly froze to death at Icewater Shelter and did not see any views the entire day. Made it to the shelter at a reasonable hour, but there were very limited tent sites. Finally found a site up the hill near the privy. We joke with everyone who comes up that we are the guards of the privy. Fortunately the wind is blowing the right way so there is no smell. Warm enough to socialize a little tonight. Bubbs is here, Irish & Beach Bum are here, as is Steve who we met earlier on the trail. Will try for 13 miles tomorrow to set us up to leave the park and make Standing Bear the next day. Forgot to mention that today we met an 87 year old gentleman who is thru-hiking. His name is "Pappy", and we came upon him sitting on a water bar log having a drink of water. He told us his "scout" is saving him a spot in the shelter. Very interesting man who served in Korea as a linguist, he joked he "could speak four languages, but can now barely speak one". We wish him well and he is truly an inspiration to be doing this at the age of 87. On another note, Mary was standing beside the trail waiting for me when some other thru-hikers were coming up the trail. One of them said "Oh, a southbounder, you're the first southbounder we've seen, when did you start?" Mary was quick with her reply "April Fools, right?" They were trying to get her to think she was heading the wrong way...