Date: 2008-05-14
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up around 6am at Dick's Dome Shelter. The other four sleepers seemed to have no desire to get up then. So I quietly got dressed, ate my cold breakfast (which I still am enjoying) and was on the trail by 7am.I have less than 40 miles to get to Harpers Ferry. I called Trail Boss and told her I would be finished in just three instead of four days. She will pick me up Thursday evening around 8pm. So, I will have plenty of time tomorrow to hike into Harpers Ferry.Today I decided to concentrate on the high-water level of the streams and water flooding the trail. Later today would come the daunting "rollercoaster" before arriving at Bears Den.Well, the high water had definitely not dropped from the prior day. Any chance of keeping my boots dry today was a quick wash-out. I got plenty of experience today walking/jumping across slimy rocks as I crossed various streams. And, I'm proud to say, I never fell once. There were a couple of times when I was close to slipping off rocks - which would have resulted in my plumenting into a 3-4 foot deep stream.Probably the highlight of my stream crossings today was at Spout Run - in the middle of the Rollercoaster. There the water looked to be at least five feet deep and perhaps 15 feet across. Even fording would have been difficult. So I looked for the best route across by jumping rocks. There wasn't any such route visible. The only thing I could see, in the distance, was a large tree trunk that spanned the width of the stream. But this tree trunk was a good 20 feet above the water. I really had no choice - I'd have to try and cross using the tree trunk. The trunk was about 18 inches in diameter. I figured I could straddle the trunk and "butt scoot" across the distance. And not look down while I went across. Well, the butt scooting took a lot of time. During which, I scraped my legs, soaked my shorts (with water from the tree trunk) and couldn't help but look down. Eventually I did make it across. Just another day on the Appalachian Trail.The other noticeable event this day was the rollercoaster section. At its start the PATC has posted a quaint sign warning hikers they are entering the rollercoaster and wishes them well - if they succeed. (The sign was definitely a "Kodak moment" and I'll post the picture, and others, this weekend).Actually, I don't think the rollercoaster is all that big a deal. Okay, so I've hiked it twice before. Still, it's really just a series of ups and downs, most with switchbacks along the way. Actually, the biggest elevation gain is right before you get to Bears Den - when you have a total of 800 feet to go up.Bears Den is exactly 20 miles from Harpers Ferry. So I talked myself into spending the night at Bears Den Hostel. I'll have until 8pm tomorrow (when Trail Boss picks me up), plenty of time.Bears Den charges a minimum fee of $15 for a bunk. They also have a "special" for $25 that includes the bunk, shower, laundry, a large pizza (they have a full kitchen facility to cook things in) a soda, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I took the special.In addition, the hostel has free long-distance phone service (I think it must be connected via internet). They also have a internet-connected computer, but it only has a dial-up (slower) connection.The hiker room also has a television, but is only connected through "rabbit ears" on top.That's all for now. I'll be home Friday/Saturday before heading back to Wind Gap on Sunday. I'll get the recent pictures taken uploaded in a couple of days.Stay Safe and Happy Hiking.