Date: 2004-08-06
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Chilly morning of 42 degrees but no threat of rain. This was particularly good news to the late night arrivers who decided to sleep under the stars last night. I never heard them come in.Although I prefer colder weather for hiking, today I found it difficult to stay warm. I believe it is the lack of body fat. I never thought I would miss it but alas, I could use some.This cold front is an eye opener to what we need before we hit the Whites and Maine. Everyone is talking about how they expect to receive their 20 degree bag in the mail in the next town.I'm sure my friends and family at home are feeling this cold spell and thinking it makes for a nice day of hiking. But I'm freezing.Within four miles I managed to catch up with Austin, Catepiller, Critter, and Octane. They were packing up at the next shelter. I kept going but was eventually overtaken by Austin. Then I passed him because he wanted to take the 2/10th side trail to the White Rocks overlook. I continued up the trail but regretted not stopping--it was the only great view for the day.Today would have been fun for swimming if it wasn't so chilly. We passed Little Rock Pond and Clarendon Gorge--great swim holes.I bumped into many southbounders and dayhikers today. I even bumped into Good Tymes and Blueberry. Good Tymes freaked me out by greeting me with my trail name. I met them briefly in PA right before DWG. They were doing a stretch of the trail south till MA. Everyone wanted to stop and chat. I had to keep pulling out my fleece to stay warm though while the sweat chilled me.After a quick lunch with the boys at Minerva Shelter, I stumbled the 3 miles down the steep hill to VT103 and walked to The Whistle Stop for a second meal at the snack bar. I wasn't alone for long. The boys showed up right after me, then John and Mary, Joe Flamingo, Crossword, AWOL, and a Scottish lad named Willie Wallace.Willie Wallace? I said hello to him amazed. I met him way back in Erwin, TN. I figured he would be done by now but he took some time off from the trail to visit Canada and nurse a bad knee. Funny guy. He owns a decrepit sweater (jumper) with a zillion moth holes. The thing should be burned.We kept the staff at the snack bar busy while the skies opened up. What luck to be under an awning. But then it got very cold so a few of us went inside. Crossword and I had a few cups of coffee for warmth.The rain would stop and start every five minutes. It was no use waiting it out. The sun also continued to shine during the showers. So people headed back to the trail. I only had a mile to go. The profile showed steepness but it did not show that the hike is technical. I had to hand grip a few wet rocks to pull myself out of that valley.I am sharing the shelter with John and Mary, Joe Flamingo, and Willie. We tried to build a fire but ended up recruiting Willie's expert advice since he apparently builds fires all the time. He insists he's not very good at it but soon we had a roaring flame. We all stood (no logs to sit on and the ground was wet) around it talking about universal healthcare and cell phones.Speaking of which...I tried to get a hold of my sister to see if we were still on for tomorrow but could not get through. So I am guessing everything is as planned and I will see her at 10 am... I hope.