Date: 2016-04-28
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Raven Rock Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: mist

Never had a day like this before - a day seemingly split into several parts. The day began with pleasant conversation with the Tortillas in beautiful Rocky Run Shelter. My hike began a little before 8:00 because I didn't want to wake them up too early with the noise of me assembling my backpack. My knee was feeling a bit better right from the start and gave me hope that I could reach my destination goal of Rocky Run Shelter, another relatively new 16-person shelter that I hoped would have an open spot for me even if I arrived at the end of the day. The soupy mist quickly transitioned into a steady drizzle. I began the day with my rain gear - an E-Vent Packa- already around my backpack and ready for me to put my arms in it to stay dry. Maryland does a real nice job commemorating their history, in this case the Civil War, and I came upon a field that was the site of importance that now was memorialized with monuments and plaques. It wasn't difficult to imagine the bloodshed in this now peaceful place. Moving on, I came upon the first monument built in recognition of our nation's first President. I went to get a drink of water from a nearby fountain and then a constant rain began that lasted for the next two hours. I moved through this park and was able to read and enjoy the various informative plaques about George Washington. The Washington Monument itself was closed for repairs due to a lightning strike but that was okay because it probably would've been a tight squeeze negotiating the stairs with my backpack. I moved on and embraced the rainy day - not enough though to intentionally jump in the puddles that quickly formed on the trail, but I was aware of how dry this Spring has been and had an appreciation for the needed rain. The rain ended around noon as I headed to Pine Knob Shelter to take off my backpack and get lunch. Food was left in a plastic bag at the shelter and a hiker had told me earlier about this trail magic. Just as I was about to open a package of Sweedish Fish candy, another person showed up. He said the food was his. Embarrassed, I explained what I'd been told as I reassembled his plastic bag of food. Then he asked me where his red Sea To Summit bag was and all I could do was say that it wasn't there when I arrived and how I suspected that others like me had assumed his stuff was trail magic and helped themselves to it. He then explained how he arrived at the shelter long after everyone in the shelter was asleep and pointed to where he'd hammocked for the night, quite a distance away and out of eyesight. I continued to apologize but there was nothing more I could do for him. I didn't ask why he left his food unattended, a real no-no because there are signs everywhere reminding us to hang bear bags to prevent bears from smelling and coming to the shelters for food. He then said this would be the last time he slept in late - it was noon! After eating lunch, I waved and apologized one more time. All of a sudden there were other hikers everywhere. I stopped to let the adult chaperones know how engaged and polite their young hikers were - apparently there was an outing from Green Acres School in Washington County - somebody seems to be doing something right there based on my interaction with numerous young people in small groups. More varied hikers and quick AT exchanges. Then I was passed by a couple of new hikers with backpacks and I began to wonder if I have now accepted a much slower pace than I used to hike. It got colder and I could see my breath, a reminder that these conditions were perfect for hypothermia and that I better remember to maintain my body heat through hiking or put on more clothing. Around 2:00 the trail became rockier than it had previously been. Selectively stepping and planting my feet became needed. Then the trail became a boulder field that required decision making about which sequence of boulders would be used. The boulder field seemed to go on forever, and was consistently uphill. I caught myself before falling and used that as a reminder to slow down since falling here would be a bruise at best. Finally the boulders ended and the trail moved below a line that had exposed this cold day to some wind that made for an even colder experience. I appreciated walking below a long series of boulders that were easily 30 yards tall. It was then that I remebered reading about Maryland's two poisonous snakes. I've seen enough movies to look at the stacks of boulders and envision what was probably in those countless crevices. I checked m my guide and realized I must be passing Black Rock Cliffs. And then the trail turned to those cliffs. It was a sharp turn and the trail was steep. Yup, I was hiking to be on top of those boulders. Fortunately the trail took me down the other side as quickly as it had brought me up it. Yes, I was conscious the whole time of what was in front and beside me. Poison ivy was everywhere and the trail was narrower than usual. The trail became dirt-based again. It was a little passed 4:00 as I came upon a shelter. I either needed to stay here or move on to the next one another 5 miles up the trail. The decision was easy when I counted how many hikers were already at this shelter. I didn't think there would be room for me there and I was hoping to not tent today given how wet the ground was and how more rain was in the forecast for tonight. Hiking on, a group of 7 military hikers came southbound and they weren't happy when I told them how full the shelter was that they were headed to. I hate hikes that have climbs at the end of the day when I'm already tired and needing food and rest. The AT does what it wants though and gave me a good climb before my final destination. Maryland trails are really well done. The final climb was steep in parts but was wide and made for as pleasant an undertaking as is possible. Daylight was giving up to the return of this morning's misty soup. Made it. My long awaited shelter sign was in front of me. I counted 5 around a fire and was happy to see that since this shelter could hold 16. Then came the unexpected - Rabbit! It was Rambo. He was soaked and decided to wait for me here and go into Waynesboro tomorrow to dry out and resupply. Rambo says Bonnie and Clyde will be staying one shelter behind me - bad news for them because of how full that shelter was - and hopefully they'll join us in Waynesboro too. The young hiker arrived who stopped me before I ate his candy. Rambo and another hiker around the fire confessed that they and others had divied up some of his food. Rambo returned the red bag. Apologies were extended and accepted. Glad to be out here and glad there was room in this shelter for me. Loudest shelter I've encountered. Two loud snorers on my right who periodically wake themselves up and have no problem talking to each other (another no-no at night) and another loud snorer on my left. The rain has been consistently hitting the roof. Think I'll need some rest in Waynesboro.