Date: 2015-06-16
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I never want to be the first one up in a hostel (another advantage of the tent!) so as soon as I saw someone walk past me to the kitchen, I got up and followed suit. It turned out to be O'Ryan, who was mixing pancake batter for the make-your-own pancake breakfast that is included with your stay at Bears Den. I waited my turn and had some tea in the meantime. Three pancakes later, most people in the bunk room were up and about, and I packed up. On the trail by 6:24.We had about 4 miles left of the roller coaster and I have to admit they were harder than I remembered! Which is a bit disconcerting, considering I have been hiking for 11 weeks now. I would think pretty much anything that I did as training hike or just regular day hike would be a piece of cake by now. Apparently not. The stretch that I had hiked was right off of Rt 7, and we had to cross it. If I thought yesterdays rush hour road crossing was daunting, try Route 7! It took a good 5 minutes before I could cross the east-bound lanes. West bound was a piece of cake though. At the trail head on the other side of Route 7 was a poster for Scott Jurek, saying how he was an inspiration to so many with his record attempt. I wanted to take the Sharpie and write something like 'and what about us mere mortals?', but I behaved myself. The day before, we had all calculated that he will probably pass through Harpers Ferry when I'm zeroing at home, so I won't actually see him.There were no good lunch spots until the shelter, which didn't come til 5 hours of hiking. I hadn't stopped for breaks and I was tired! The water source was .2 down a steep hill but Outro very kindly gave me some of her water so I'd have enough to get through the 8.8 miles to Harpers Ferry. There were no other sources listed in between. After lunch (crackers with Bifi's, which are the dutch version of slim Jim's but better, I think), the trail became really easy for a little bit. At least I think it must have been, because I managed to go 3 miles in an hour, which is well above my normal pace. I crossed into West Virginia, and then again and I think one more time. I am not sure what the last crossing is, but before Harpers Ferry you leave Virginia for good. I am glad to be done with it, not because it was so long, but because it was hard! Except for Shenandoah National Park and a couple days past it, Virginia kicked my ass. I almost went down the wrong trail at the turn at the last WV-VA crossing but fortunately there was a blue blaze pretty quickly. I would have been pretty pissed if I had ended up at Loudoun Heights! Then a little bit down the trail, I saw my 7th bear. It was a good sighting too, because the bear didn't see me. I must have been downwind! I saw this big thing on the trail a hundred yards or so ahead and didn't realize what it was right away. I actually thought 'why is that big dog loose on the trail?' when I realized it was a bear. I'm not sure why a dog would be more likely than a bear, but I guess that's just how the brain works. He was too far for good pictures though I did take one. I crossed the super busy 340 bridge on the protected pedestrian lane and took the side trail to the ATC office. I have been there a number of times before and it was really bizarre to think that I had walked there. And not just from our house, but from Georgia. Crazy!Outro and Yoda were already there, and I also saw China Rock and mcFly who were zeroing. The first order of business was to get a soda and after that I had the traditional picture taken. Gary arrived a little bit later and we went to Leesburg for pizza at Fireworks. It was excellent as always, though we had to sit inside because of the rain.I am home for at least three and probably four days. It's a bit longer than might be prudent for the schedule, but I'm doing it anyway. I actually have a lot to do, though I am sure there will be plenty of couch time as well! Yoda and Outro are here as well but probably leave on Thursday. It feels good to wear cotton!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?