Date: 2013-04-09
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

An INCREDIBLE day!This A.T. journey continues to surprise, amaze, and amuse. We were up early and left the hostel at the same time as Gummy Bear. We had met her several other times, but had only had brief interaction. Before the trail left Damascus, it went right by a coffee shop. That was our much anticipated first stop. Hoosier invited Gummy Bear to join us, and we learned (over breakfast) that she has traveled widely and at one point biked across America. Currently she is on "summer break" from teaching English to upper class "covered ladies" at the University of Dubai. Her insights and comments on Arab culture and women's issues were fascinating. I asked if she would like to hike with us for the morning, so we could talk some more. She readily agreed, and for most of the morning hiked close behind me, so I could best hear her responses to my questions. I asked the kind of questions that I imagine my daughter would have wanted to ask. Gummy Bear was happy to share, and I was eager to be a good listener. Our conversation was very meaningful and touched on a wide range of cultural women's issues and faith issues. The portion of the trail that we covered in the morning went along a mountain stream for 5 miles. The warm, sunny morning seemed perfect and the miles and time flew by.After a leisurely lunch of Subway sandwiches that we purchased before leaving town, we were joined by Rash. Rash is a 23 year old southern boy who owns a little farm and hunts and traps. Suddenly, our group size was five; Hoosier, Joe-the-hiker, Gummy Bear, Rash, and me. We hiked close together the rest of the day, talking and laughing. The conversation went back and forth between light banter and more personal sharing.The white blazes that mark the Appalachian Trail indicated we were to leave the stream and start up the mountain. But blue blazes also indicated that we could stay along the stream on a trail that would connect again with the AT, thus avoiding the climb up and over the small mountain. But "blue blazing" was not an option for any of us. Taking a shortcut like that would seem almost like cheating and I was hiking with "purists" who wanted the distinction of hiking all of the AT. It was a tough stretch up and over the small mountain with few switchbacks to make things easier. And the trail did go right back down the other side and back to the stream only a couple of miles past where we had left the stream. It was a lot of effort with little visible gain to show for it. But we all had a good feeling about staying on the trail.Perhaps the strongest hiker we have meant on the trail is Tarzan. He moves fast and easy over all the obstacles. Hiking seems effortless to him. Tarzan got his trail name honestly because he is fit and chiseled and takes every opportunity to take off his shirt and show everyone. Interestingly, that evening we learned that he had chosen to "blue blaze" that section and skip the mountain climb. Which is fine, since everyone must "hike their own hike". (POST NOTE: Later I learned that Tarzan had "quit" the trail before reaching 1,000 miles. Although incredible fit, perhaps he did not have the mental toughness for the long grind. Perhaps that was foreshadowed on this day.)When we trail came back to the mountain stream, I was compelled to stop, and not wanting to hold anyone up, I told the group that I wanted to linger there and they could go on and I would meet them at the shelter later. Perhaps others had the same idea because soon we all had our feet soaking in the frigid water. It felt great!! We were in no hurry and lounged around on the rocks alongside the stream in the sunshine. How happy we all were, an eclectic group living out a dream.When we got did get to the shelter later in the day, there were already 10 thru-hikers here. Additionally, we got to meet Low Wolf, an older, bearded A.T. legend and character. Low Wolf had completed many thru-hikes of the AT. Now older he was not thru-hiking this year, but had gotten to the shelter by a short side trail. He brought with him 2 dozen beers and a little genuine moonshine. People kept arriving, and by dusk over 29 hikers were here (that number includes five older section-hikers). I don't think anyone had more than one beer and a small sip of moonshine, but the atmosphere was one big party complete with stories, jokes, and laughter. We collected wood, and Tarzan started a campfire.I regret that when the moonshine was passed around I declined a sip and just passed it on. I didn't do it because of scruples, but because I feared I might gag on it on front of everyone. Worrying about what others might think caused me to miss an adventure. That was a mistake. When am I ever again going to get a chance to taste genuine moonshine in an atmosphere like this? (Hoosier had just a sip and he said it was really nasty stuff.) What an adventure I am having...and tomorrow I get to do it all over again. P.S. Even with such a big group, and lots of young hikers, everything was quiet by 9:30 pm. Hikers don't stay up late. On colder nights, it is often quiet by 8:00 pm or earlier.