Date: 2010-05-24
From: Wise Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Part of the fun in doing the Appalachian Trail lies in the colorful variety of people and personalities you meet along the way. As I wrote earlier, I had the pleasure of hiking with JJ Jessee, who I'm happy to say took a number of pictures and wrote of his experience of meeting me, so I thought that I might also put his story in my TJ. Thanks again to JJJ and I will be happy to enjoy the company of as many thru-hikers I can meet.¢Hello,I'm JJ Jessee. I usually take an interest in speed record attempts on the AT since it is only a few miles from my home to Damascus. I also took up trail/ultrarunning a few years ago and have always enjoyed camping, being outdoors, etc. So it's a natural synergy I reckon. Following Carlos journal, I've watched him make his way northward for the past couple of weeks. When he got close to Damascus, I thought I'd go out and meet him. I checked in the Damascus outfitter, MRO, late Saturday afternoon, 5/22 -just to be sure he hadn't gone through. At that point his last update was Friday morning 80 miles south of Damascus at Apple House Shelter. I knew at a minimum he would make it at least to Vendeventer Shelter -43 miles by Saturday night, but there would be a possibility he could make it to Damascus with back-to-back 40s since the terrain was more conducive to big mileage. I made my way down the trail thinking at any minute Carlos might pop into view. There were several NoBo thru hikers coming up the trail, and chatting with them, I alerted them to Carlos' adventure and to watch for him. Finally, about 10:30pm, I thought I might as well camp, since there was a fair possiblity he might be bivoaced along the trail out of sight and I would pass him unseen. At a bit before 7am Sunday 5/23, I was back on the trail and figured I might go a couple more miles to Double Spring Shelter or more likely on down to the Iron Mt Gap -AT crossing and wait if I hadn't aleady met him. I had only gone a few 100 meters and here he come's up the trail. I introduced myself and we were soon under way Damascus-bound. He set the pace and we chatted along the way. His feet are doing much better with the Goretex version of the Montrail Masochist. I understood him to say the support/shield is much better than the regular Masochist which is what most of us around here wear on the trail. He was out of food and his caloric intake has been one of my concerns along the way, but he says he only takes time for a good meal at the end of the day. I guess the bars and supplements have gotten him this far, but maybe he'll take advantage of food opportunities close to the trail that are more numerous as he makes his way into the northern part of the trail. His spirits were good, he had few complaints. His pace and gait were steady and sure. He ate half a large pizza and I encouraged him to take the rest for tonight's meal. He has a few scuffs on his arm and leg but no worse than any kid on the playground would have after a hard day. He had an espresso from Mojoes coffeehouse and seemed confident he could make it to Dalesville 250+ miles up the trail to the next resupply. We walked out of town and he headed up the stairs into the woods. It was a pleasure to meet Carlos. He seems dedicated and is set on completing the journey.Good Luck to the Galilee Man,JJJ¢