Date: 2010-05-25
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Left the Huckleberry Hill Hike & Bike camp about 9:00 a.m.. Met a group of bikers on recumbent bikes after about 1/2 mile. Got to Harpers Ferry again at about 10:00 a.m. Planned to depart Harpers Ferry about noon after cheking in with ATC office and buying fuel at the Outfitter.Found the AT trail south at the bottom of Union Street and decided to follow it to the blue blaze trail to the ATC office. Steep climb up stone steps from Union Street. Passed the Catholic Church and found myself at Jefferson Rock. Some Japanese tourists were there and we had a short talk on the trail. Continued up the trail and then down to the Shenandoah River bridge. Oops! Somewhere we missed the blue blaze trail to ATC. Saw the Comfort Inn and a road just to my right and decided to backtrack up a smoother and "shorter" road. Nope. Road route is longer and hotter.Dropped my pack on the ATC porch. As a volunteer was taking pictures of thru hikers for the 2010 album, I got my section hiker photo taken for AT posterity. BigHodag from Little Rock, AR is section hiker 84 for 2010. Bought a cold soda and an AT patch. Met a few thru hikers that I would end up seeing again a few days later (RoboJesus & Patches, RiverDog, Lil Dipper, Redwing, Veggie).Went down Union Street to the Outfitter to get some fuel. Bought a pop bottle full of denatured alcohol for about $5.00 plus a wee bit for "the governor." Great little store. Saw a full display of Grand Trunk hammocks like mine right by the register.Continued on down Union Street to the Cannonball Deli, located about in the basement of a building just about even with the train station. Ordered a cheese steak to go from a great Russian immigrant and his girlfriend. Thought I was undercharged, but was surprised to discover that hikers receive a 10% discount on their food orders. Spaseba!Crossed the train bridge back into Maryland at about 12:30 p.m.. Hiked east along the Potomac River to a clearing just before the turn North and the climb up to Weverton Cliff. Workers have cleared a wide grassy area and cut some trees down. Several stumps were conveniently positioned as "chairs". I then realized that I had made a novice mistake of not cameling up on pure water back in Harpers Ferry. I had a quart and a few swallows to get to the Garvey Shelter. Decided to fill up the second bottle from the Potomac, which was easily accessible here, but brown and muddy. Used my hankie to filter most of the mud out and dropped some iodine in to start the water "cooking". Also, decided this was a good time to doff the boots and socks and have a foot check. Found one small blister and quickly applied moleskin to it. This was also my planned lunch stop, so we ate half of our cheese steak. Left the river about 2:30 p.m.Shortly after our lunch break the AT took a hard left and crossed the railraod tracks and entered a road/parking area. Found the trail in the brush across the street and started a modest rise up and away from the river. This section came out at the new parking area at the foot of the Weverton Trail. While taking a quick five and sitting on the guard rail, some teens popped out of the woods across the street. Asked if any had leftover water to top off my bottle of pure water. One gave me about a pint. Not quite true trail magic, but he was a trail angel to me at that moment.Water problems resolved, we crossed the street and passed under a very busy highway. I noted a flowing creek at the bottom of a steep embankment under the bridge. Always good to know when the last time you passed water and where.Just after the bridge the trail became very rocky and steep with switchbacks. Not having trail legs yet, this was a tough section for me. Rounding a switchback, we'd pause, catch our breath and sip some water. Made it to the Weverton Cliff side trail at about 5:00. Just as I got there, "Bloomer" showed up, sunk his poles on the side of the AT and dropped his pack. I did the same and we ventured down to the cliff about 100 yards down the hill. Great view from the rocks of the Potomac River. Took a picture of Blommer for him and he did the same for me. Struggled back up the hill and donned a pack that I would rather not be carrying anymore.My original plan was to RON (remain overnight) at Crampton Gap, but it was clear that I was too tired and moving too slow to make Crampton Gap. Decided to settle for the closer Ed Garvey shelter. About 7 we staggered in to the Garvey area and rounded the shelter expecting to see Bloomer and RoboJesus who had passed us after Weverton Cliff. Instead, we found Seeker, a solo female sectioning South to Harpers Ferry. Dropped the pack and started heating water for dinner. Didn't have much of an appetite as I thought I would so just had some soup and called it a night.Pitched my hammock behind the Garvey shelter. Hung my food bag in the shelter with the others as no one expected bears in this area. Patches the trail dog was also on duty.Had a restless time trying to fall asleep. We were having cramps in out thighs and calves. Fortunately, we were able to sit on the side of our hammock and rock until the cramps went away. Sometime after we passed out until after daylight.Thus ended our first day on the AT.