Date: 2015-05-07
From: Skyland Lodge SNP

To: Birds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 0.0

5/7, 6.3, Birds Nest 3 Hut, Day 75We awoke very casually today with the full intention of hiking out of the Skyland area around 9:30 after a nice breakfast. We showered, packed and were on our way to the dining room by 8:45. We had a nice breakfast with a view of the Shenandoah valley, and were on trail by 10:00. Our goal today was 6.6 miles to Birds Nest #3 hut. We have no idea where birds nest 1 or 2 are, but we were headed for #3. It was a very nice morning and we started our hike above the clouds that blanketed the valley. It was warm and humid, but intermittent cloudiness and breezes kept it bearable. We saw the Diabolical Duo at breakfast and left Skyland ahead of them as well as several other hikers we had not met. As we hiked they all passed us later in the morning, and we joined them at a picnic pavilion for a late lunch around 1:00. In conversation we discovered that one of the young girls hiking in another group was an auto body technician who graduated Wyo Tech, the tech school where I first studied in the early 1980's. Wyo Tech has expanded greatly across the country so she attended an eastern branch, but we shared some automotive conversation nonetheless. They were all headed for a more distant shelter, so we soon wished them a good hike as they hiked on. We left the picnic area not long after, but stayed long enough for the Park Ranger to stop by and check our permit. He was very nice and wished us a good hike after we showed him our papers. The remaining 2 miles to the shelter were mostly an uphill climb over "The Pinnacle", and then down into the gap where the shelter rested. We made pretty good time and settled into select a spot around 3:30. The shelter was nice, but showed significant signs of mouse activity, so we chose a nice tent site and set up our nylon home. After a time we gathered our food and cooking gear to utilize the table in front of the shelter for dinner. As we settled a father/daughter pair hiked in for the night. They also decided to set a tent but as we talked about hiking they mentioned a father son team which included a son who had lost over 50 pounds. We were sure it was Ironman Bill and Just Pete, because we knew where hey were. We had connected through the park as they generally were hiking a day or two behind me, and I knew they would catch me here. When we contacted them yesterday, they were on Luray, and were looking for a shuttle back to Skyland to start hiking. Since we wanted Beef and Pete to meet and share theatre stories at some point I suggested they call her, and she could shuttle them. It worked out well for all as Bill, Pete and Beef enjoyed the Luray Caverns together, and Beef had them back on the trail by 5 pm. At 7:45 Bill and Pete joined us at Birds Nest #3 and we had a nice reunion. I am sure I will play leap frog with them, and our schedules might coincide further up the trail, but for now they will hike past me for a couple days before I am back to full days of hiking. Tomorrow Bonobo and I will hike 3 miles to the parking area where Beef will meet us. If we are early enough I plan to leave Bonobo there, and slack pack (hike without my pack) nine more miles where she and Beef can pick me up. By covering that many more miles, I can finish the Park on Saturday, and get on schedule for Harper's Ferry in a couple more. Bonobo and Beef will head home Saturday, and have a busy Sunday ahead getting Beef's things moved to Athens, OH, before she heads for Minnesota for her summer job. I won't see any of them now until I finish, and get picked up in Maine. The time away from family and friends is difficult, but part of the challenge. This adventure so far has proven to be all I anticipated, so I am looking forward to a great summer on the trail. Again, it is nice go have you all along on this journey with me.Silverback