Date: 2015-11-12
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

I woke up alone. Thankfully no critters joined me during the night. I got an early start. It was cold and windy with a very light rain which did not last long.The trail was again fairly easy most of the day. I stopped a few times to check out and enjoy the overlooks. I was glad I dried my pack and clothes. I could really feel the difference in the pack weight.Ivy Creek was beautiful with many little waterfalls. I am finally starting to get over my issues with rushing water, and I am again enjoying the sounds and sights of the streams and brooks.Loft Mtn Wayside closed 11/8 for the season so I did not bother taking the .5 side trail - although it would have been SO nice to stop in for a burger.  The AT went right past the Loft Mtn store. I stopped briefly to see if maybe it was still open - a Diet Coke would have hit the spot. Of course it was also closed, but I was able to get water, dispose of my trash, and take a break on a picnic table with a nice view.The AT went past/through the Loft Mt. campground, which was closed for the season.As I passed the Blackrock parking area 4 people/day hikers were just getting on the trail. They let me pass by them as they starred intently at me. I gave them a friendly hello, and they barely responded. They looked at me as if I was some homeless person who had just crawled out from under a bridge. Just how rough did I look??? When I reached Blackrock summit I thought I had made a wrong turn and was back in NH. This was the second time in Shenandoah N.P. where the AT crossed a boulder field - a pile of boulders running down the side of a mountain. Unlike in NH, the AT just briefly passed through the boulder field and the trail was relatively easy. (I felt lucky, in NH the AT would go up and over the entire boulder field, requiring hours of climbing up, over, down, and around the rocks.)I stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the view and take pictures. The 4 people from the parking area almost caught up to me, but then decided to keep their distance, again starring at me and giving me strange looks. I really need to look at a mirror! Blackrock Hut is just .5 from the summit. I arrived at the Hut just as a northbound section hiker arrived. 2 more northbounders out for just 3 days, a future son-in-law and father-in-law on a bonding trip, joined us.According to the section hiker, the wind was supposed to be terrible tonight. There was plenty of room in the shelter, so I set up my tent to block some of the wind.The bonding guys decided to build a fire in the fire pit. Unfortunately the wind did pick up, and the shelter was flooded with smoke from the fire. Sparks also flew everywhere. I was concerned about leaves in the shelter gutter catching fire. The leaves could smolder for hours before bursting into flames. Although the spring was very close to the shelter, we had no way of putting out a large fire. To their credit, they made sure the fire was completely out before they went to bed. But after filling the shelter with smoke they decided to pull their gear out of the shelter and set up their tent.The future son-in-law lives in Alaska and was very conscientious about following LNT. We had a nice discussion about differences in LNT practices depending upon location and situation. The future father-in-law admitted this was his first backpacking trip, and he knew nothing about camping or backpacking, but acted like he was an expert. He felt no need to filter his water. He also clearly had no interest in LNT or following any of the LNT principles. His arogance was both off putting and surprising because he is a missionary. I felt sorry for the future son-in-law. I went to bed early.The AT is calling. Just 2 more days to civilization. I really need to check a mirror!