Date: 2014-06-20
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: 1015 Campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke at 6:45 but stayed in bed. Good night and not cold. Wore my tights and long sleeve shirt in the liner. Quite comfortable. Lots of people leaving and packing up. Visited with Spud and Snakebite.Took my time today. Charged up my phone. Just hanging out. Had cheerios and apple for breakfast. Voodoo, Firewalker and Affirmed were also here just hanging out.Had discovered my pack broke again in the same place. The bar had not gone below but I made a temporary fix with supper glue. This one lasted 400 miles before breaking. The first one probably broke at the 400 mile mark. Called Enterprise about renting a car in Harpers Ferry to go to DC to get a new pack. Called LouAnn to check on locations to get my new pack since I will be near DC in a couple of days. The only locations were Mt. Rogers Outfitters in Damascus and the Hot Springs outfitters. I intended to call the Hot Springs outfitters since they had checked me with the ULA pack but I made the mistake and called Mt Rogers. Called Mt Rogers outfitters who had the Catalyst and could do 3 day shipping. Another delivery to my friend in Maryland. Hope this pack works. I know my stuff will fit in it and it will be lighter but I lose the organizational pocket of my present pack. I know I could replace my present pack but I can afford it breaking every 400 miles. I'll return this REI in Rockville when I get to Maryland.Voodoo has the Circuit and she mentioned that they are only rated for 30 pounds. I hope the Catalyst which is bigger will be able to handle my load.Left a 11:45 with the others but they quickly lost me. Arrived at Lesser Shelter at 12:30 since it was smooth flat trail. Had lunch of tuna sandwich. Initially there were 4 section hikers in addition to the 4 of us. They left and 7 more section hikers from NC came it.Left the shelter at 1:30 to hike with Voodoo, Firewalker, and Affirmed. The goal was the Pizza place on WV9. We went quickly and arrived at WV9 at 2:30. Went down the hill to the Pizza bar. Split a couple of pizzas and Ice tea. Good veggie and supreme pizza. Head on the trail at 4:30. Long lunch but good. Lots of traffic on the highway and difficult to cross. Again the trail was fast and arrived at the campsite at mile 1015 at 5:15. Found a good bear bag tree. Firewalker, Affirmed and Voodoo were headed into Harpers Ferry. Picked out a good spot for my tent. Chevy Chase arrived ahead of his friends and set up his tent.Legs, Flatlander and Lt. Dan arrived and found spots. It became crowded but everyone had a spot. Finally Frankenstein, Indy, and Jolly Green Giant came in. Just had my PowerAde for dinner.Socialized with all the guys. Jolly Green Giant is from Cashiers and is a 2010 WCU Grad. Talked with Indy who offered me a beer. Warm nite and in tent by 9.Great group I'm with now. This is the 4 guys we offered the cabin too at Lewis Mt. Turns out they got picked up and taken to a condo at Massnutten for the night and next day. So they ended up better than Affirmed and me.A quick short day with a good lunch of pizza. Hiked with people for the first time in a long time. Tomorrow will be a short day into Harpers Ferry.