Date: 2003-05-23
From: Pickle Branch

To: Catawba
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Another overcast, rainy day. On the trail by 7:45 for a long climb up Cove Mountain to the Dragon's Tooth. The Dragon's Tooth is a series of rocky outcrops that allow for excellent views. However, the fog was thick, the rocks were slippery and all we could do was focus on each step. The trail was very steep with several places where we had to slide and climb hand-over-hand to keep from falling 50 or more feet.When we reached the road to Catawba, Kiwi, Dreamwalker and Pipi went to a nearby grocery store to resupply and get ice cream and cokes. Since I had a mail drop waiting for me at the Catawba Post Office, I tried to hitchhike further down the road. No luck. No one would pick up a gruffy-looking old man with a backpack so I ended up walking 4+ miles. After getting my resupply -- of course -- I had to walk 4+ miles back to the trailhead. I had trouble finding the trailhead, even though I had been there about three hours ago. I asked directions from a local person driving a pickup truck and he sent me in the wrong direction (on purpose?). When I realized my mistake, an elderly man in a beat-up old pickup offered to give me a ride to the trailhead. He then proceeded to drive past the trailhead. When I pointed this out, he said he was taking me to another point where the trail crosses a road to save me some walking. When I told him I needed to start the trail where I had left, he then turned around but wanted to stop for a few minutes to visit with a friend. I told him others were waiting for me and I needed to get back to the trail now. Reluctantly, he took me to the trailhead but would not stop talking. I eventually thanked him for the ride and simply had to walk away to resume my hike. Finally on the trail again at 4:30, I wanted to reach the next shelter before dark. The shelter was seven miles away and I did not know what kind of terrain I would have to travel. The trail was shrouded by a heavy mist and in the gloom, I began to think about putting on my headlamp. At 6:30, I reached the point where the trail crosses Route 311 - a popular starting point for dayhikers. When I stepped out of the forest, Kiwi and Dreamwalker appeared in a car driven by Barbara Sharpe (Firefly) a trail angel who had driven Kiwi and Dreamwalker to an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Catawba, then back to the Trail to try to find me. The timing was perfect. Firefly then drove us to the Four Pines Hostel in Catawba, however, we found the place packed with hikers and a school group of 16 kids had just arrived. The place was not appealing so Firefly then drove us some 20 miles to a motel in Salem, VA. She was kind enough to meet us the next day to return us to the trail in Catawba.Note: despite Firefly's generosity, Catawba is not a hiker-friendly place and not a good place to pick up a maildrop. It is very difficult to get a ride, the shoulder of the road is very narrow or non-existant and the pickup trucks race by without giving a hiker much room. A dangerous situation and I will not return to Catawba.Despite all of the mis-adventures, it is amazing how things can work out well with the help of a Trail Angel. Thank you, Firefly!!