Date: 2007-06-30
From: Rockfish Gap, VA

To: Humpback Mtn., VA
Miles today: 11.5

Well after a MUCH needed shower, I got some sleep and was back on the trail by11:00 a.m. It is always hard to find the trailhead when it's tucked away on aroadside area. I did find it though after wandering around and asking different people.Karen took my pic (one of which is standing next to her Hybrid car..I think shereally wanted a pic of her car to be on the internet..hee hee), and I disappeared into the woods.I met Fran and Field Worker, who are trail maintainers. They were weed eatingand trimming the trees. I thanked them for their work. It was 5 miles to the first shelter (remember, I'm hiking SOBO now for these 3days). There were a few pretty stream crossings and this really cool flat slabrock that I took a break on.It was an easy 5 miles and I got to the shelter and took a break. A sectionhiker, Ann, showed up and we talked for awhile. Really nice lady for Minnesotawho is doing all of VA.I decided @ 4:30 to push on for at least another 3 hours. Now it was all up toHumpback Mtn. It was switchbacks though, so I flew up this thing. I sawanother bear too!! That's so exciting to me everytime by the way.Near the top, it start getting pretty rocky. I ran into Redline and (adifferent) Sleddog, as well as Calm Water, by buddy from the day before.I asked him about camping, and he said in the next mile there were a few spots,but it's lots of ridge walking.I only wanted to go 1 more mile, so I kept on. I did see the campsites, but Iwanted to hike at least until 7:30 p.m., so I took my chances...again.He was right, turned into very narrow rocky ridge with trees around, but I didfind a place to hang, and if I'm not mistaken, I'm right on the tippy top ofHumpback Mtn. Kinda cool.It's not supposed to storm, and man if it does am I in trouble, but I think itwil be ok. It's a cool nite. I'm still sleeping in shorts, but am wearing my long sleevedshirt and knit cap. I probably should have pitched my tarp closer, but oh well.I called my mom once I got camp set up. I hadn't talked to her in awhile. Shewas waiting for her poker crew to show up for the game she has every Sat. nite.Her poker nickame is the Black Widow for a few reasons..but she's relentless!I wondered how long it would take for that really raunchy hiker stench to startpenetrating my pack and shirt....well..it has arrived I'm sad to say folks. God do I reek! I told my friends that I generally like to sleep with my arms folded under my head...umm..yeah...not possible at this point. Ahhhh, another rite of passage. My apologies in advance to anyone who happens to be within a 6 foot radius of an unshowered me or my pack. It ain't pretty.It's dropped into the 60's @ 9:00 p.m., but I think it's going to get coolertonite. I keep hearing this weird tapping, not sure what it is. Of course myimagination tells me it's a giant bear trying to push a tree over, but I'm sureit's not. And by the way, I've discovered something with bear bagging. I go toa tree with several branches sticking out all over, I throw the rock as high asI can (not aiming for anything specific) and I almost always catch on somethinghigh enough. Makes me "look" competent at least. ~Certain