Date: 2007-06-26
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Today was a weird day if you can call it that. It started our great because we cooked up some scrambled eggs for those of us that were ready for breakfast. What a great way to start the day. After we left the hostel and made our way back to the trail is where we were surrounded by Gypsy moths. They were all over. We headed down off the ledge to Snickers Gap where I celebrated with a Snickers Bar at the parking area near the trail. A couple miles later we took a break at Crescent rock that had wonderful views. We could hear the youth group below us too as we sat there enjoying the view. I still feel exhausted from yesterday but I¢m still able to hike. We are finally finished with Virginia. Another state down. West Virginia terrain pretty much continues where Virginia ended. The first place we go through is called Devils Racecourse. It is an area that looks like a big rock slide occurred and I¢m glad the trail doesn¢t follow it. The trail was dry from Sand Spring to the shelter and all the water sources were dry too. At least the terrain wasn¢t bad. The elevation stayed about the same as we hiked on the ridge to the blue blaze for the Blackburn Trail Center and then by Buzzard Rock and eventually the shelter. We saw a Timber Rattler on the trail near the Blackburn Center trail and it moved off the trail with no problem. It was so hot and humid and I was dripping with sweat that I started chafing in the groin area. Of all the places to chafe. Try walking when you are getting raw down there. I tried body glide but was almost out and that worked for a short while. I also tried using a bandana to cover the area that was raw and it helped to but it didn¢t last long either. I almost had to start walking bow legged for any relief. I caught up to Tony sitting on a log sipping the Coke they busted out since we were out of water now. Even filling up at the last water spot we still ran out. I had about two sips left in my water bottle and we still had about two miles to go before the shelter. When we reached the shelter we were glad to be there and this shelter is a really nice one too. It has a deck like Jim and Molly Denton did and it also has the separate table area but with a bench swing too. The tent areas below are all blocked off with picnic tables nearby. The only bad thing was the water source was .25 miles down a very steep side trail into a rocky area. As thirsty as we were and as cold as the water was it was worth it. Just carrying up 4 liters back to the camp sites was not. I surprised everyone at dinner with a 20oz Pepsi and a big dark chocolate bar I carried all the way from Front Royal as a celebration for getting to the 1000 mile mark on the trail. They were definitely surprised. I know its .3 more miles but I don¢t plan to stop. The youth group of mostly girls from the hostel showed up later this evening and I¢m glad I have a hammock to setup where ever I want to for some peace and quiet. They are a great bunch of kids but I know they will be up later than we will be. What a day!Tenting: Handyman, Tony Tiger, , wrong way, stonewall, leatherneck, youth group. Shelter: Jambalayas Mom. Wx: hot, humid. Little to no breeze