Date: 2004-06-28
From: John Spring Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

We decided to get up early today (really early) and try to get to McKafee's Knob for sunrise. I have heard it is the best view in Virginia. It was 2.5 miles to the top with about 1,000 feet of vertical so we got up around 4:50 AM and were on the trail by 5:20 AM. We made pretty good time to the top but at 6:30 AM when we summitted, the sun had already risen above the mountains. It was still a beautiful view with fog in the valleys below. The knob is a series of large rock cliffs that jutt out and make for a great view and area to relax.We started to make breakfast when I decided to put my glasses on to get a better look at the view. This is when I realized that my glasses were 2.5 miles away and down 1,000 feet of vertical. This was not part of the plan. Instead of a long relaxing breakfast with a great view, I got to hike back down to the shelter. So I grabbed the 24 oz gatorade I had bought for lunch and left my bag at the top. A person should bring more than just a drink when slackpacking (hiking without your pack), namely toilet paper. I got about halfway to the shelter when I realized this. But I was in luck, last night Butterfingers mentioned there was toilet paper in the privy which is most unusual. I could last another mile, well at least I thought I could. Suddenly I began to realize time was not on my side, I had to go and soon, so I began to jog - which isn't easy to do after hiking a lot. Your legs can work hard but they like to work slow and steady. (Scribe insert: if you really want the details, read on. I am only transcribing...) Then I began to feel a build up of gas. I decided to try for a toot to releive the pressure. But what if it wasn't a toot, I thought? Well it was a risk I had to take. 'Toot', phew, only a toot. Well that helped for a few minutes but the pressure was beginning to build again, and this time it meant business. I knew I was getting close but wasn't going to make it with a light jog, so I broke into a run, but this made things worse. So I had to clench with all my might as I ran. Ah, finally I could see the end point. "5" The last few steps to the privy and throw open the door. "4" Jump into the privy turning around in mid-air while pulling down my shorts. "3" The shorts didn't come down because some idiot tied them too tight so I fumble with the knot wondering why I cut my finger nails yesterday. "2" The knot comes out, the shorts go down, and in the same motion I sit with time to spare. "1" I stand back up realizing the lid is still down, put the lid up, and sit back down. "0" That's as far as this story goes. Let's just say sweet relief.The rest of the day was great. I got my glasses and headed back up McKafee's Knob. I spent some time relaxing at the top and taking in the view. Then we hiked about 6 miles to Tinker Cliffs which had another superb view and actually looked back along the ridgeline we just hiked and back to McKafee's Knob. We then descended to Daleville, VA and got a motel room, some Chinese food delivered, and a 6-pack. All in all, almost a perfect day.**********This entry posted on 7/23/2004**********