Date: 2010-06-27
From: Morris CT

To: RT 325 PA Clark Valley
Miles today: 200.0

Catching up on our hike since this is the first time I have had a chance to sit down and put my thoughts together and have computer access. From Gravel Springs Gap in SNP we did a 1 day slack to Front Royal VA. We moved the cars around getting 1 to Harper's Ferry WV so we did not get back to the trail head until after midnight. We slept in the Van again and got a late start. Fig and his pod of girls passed us as we were getting ready. Lucky Guy! SNP was a beautiful Park with miles of Laurel in bloom. They had Waysides which means service areas along the Skyline Drive where we could consume a few thousand calories and rehydrate and lull around with other hikers. Funk's buddies Brooklyn and Landfill took advantage of the availability of beer and stayed behind Fig and his group and were a little tipsy when we saw them crossing the Gravel Springs crossing to pick up our car late into the evening so Funk gave them some more beer!An amazing bit of trail magic occurred in the Park. Bo Bo a 20 year old thruhiker had problems with his boots so he sent them home and hiked in his Tevas. Unfortunately that caused even more pain. He bumped into a day hiker who had recently thruhiked who asked him how he was doing so he told him about his foot problems. The day hiker asked about Bo Bo's boot size. Since the boot sizes matched the day hiker asked Bo Bo to try on his boots. They fit! So he gave them to Bo Bo and walked back to his car 1 1/2 miles away in his socks! Now that is trail magic!!! From Front Royal we then backpacked to Harper's Ferry which was about 54 miles over 3 days arriving early in Harper's Ferry. We signed into the AT Conservancy as the #276 and 277th Thru-Hikers for 2010. My boots were falling apart and I purchased a new pair at the outfitter. Baltimore Jack was there helping out as he was at the Neel Gap outfitter in Ga in March. Jack is an AT legend having hiked the trail at least a dozen times. These days he hikes a bit and helps out at the good outfitters along the trail. We had a bit of a mishap in Front Royal switching cars. Funk was leading as we headed toward WV. He speed-ed up to go through a yellow light and saw a cop car so he slammed on the brakes as I followed closely behind. I was too close so I slightly hit the back of the Subaru with the van right in front of the cop! He motioned us over and I explained that we were together and the Subaru was intact and the Van just got a small dent in the front so he just let us go but gave us directions to get to WV. From Harper's Ferry I backpacked alone to the MD-PA line which was about 44 miles over 3 days. Funk took 2 days off and with Brooklyn and Landfill did the 4 state challenge. He hike back to the VA border and starting at midnight they left VA hiked into WV and thru MD to the PA line arriving about 8 PM! They were exhausted1 We were waiting at a campsite with hot-dogs, chili, sauerkraut, beer, sodas and a bit of whiskey. We drove back to Harper's Ferry and got a motel room for all and passed out! We got a late start and we drove Brooklyn and Landfill back to the MD-PA line were they hiked into a shelter while Funk and I had to move the cars again. We spotted the car at Duncannon PA about 97 miles away and returned to the PA-MD line where we spent the night in the Van. We backpacked the distance to Duncannon. All I can say is that PA deserves its reputation as very rocky and miserable on your feet. The first night we stayed at the Quarry Gap Shelters where I spilled boiling water on my left ankle and had a severe 2nd and 3rd degree burn. The pain was incredible so I gulped down about 8 of cognac to allow me to sleep. I was determined not to get off the trail. I had dressing material and the next day I managed to hobble 24 miles to the next campsite. I worked on the burn daily with clean dressings and it did not get infected and we managed to do good miles to Duncannon. We did stop in Boiling Springs where we stayed at a resort that gave rooms to hikers for $20 a night and all you can eat dinner for $10 and breakfast for $6! I was able to get a shower and clean the burn which helped. We arrived late in Duncannon and stayed at the legendary Doyle Hotel which was a fabulous place for hiker even thought it was a bit seedy. Trying to give my foot a rest we drove back to the PA-MD line to get the car and had to drive back to Duncannon. We did an early evening slack of about 9 miles back to the Doyle and the next day did a 10 mile slack and headed home because I had to work for a week. With the week off my burn healed a little faster and it was about 60% healed by the time we left for the trail head at PA 325. Funk's buddy Brendon drove us to PA 325 as we had spotted 1 car at Wind Pap PA on the way home. Our plan was to hike the 113 mile to the car over 5 days then head back home for my friend Jay's daughters wedding. Spirit Walker