Date: 2011-11-03
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter, Virginia

To: Chatfield Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

11/03/2011Time:  6:48 p.m. DISTANCE TRAVELED:   18.4 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Knot Maul Branch Shelter, through Atkins, Virginia, to the Chatfield Shelter.  WEATHER:  It was cool and partly cloudy most of the day but, around 5:00, dark clouds rolled in and it soon started to rain. MEALS:  I had oatmeal for breakfast, along with a 20 oz. bottle of Gatorade. For my first break, I had a Protein Bar and 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid. My next break was lunch, and I was in Atkins, so I had a 20 oz. Pepsi, two small hot sausages, a Slim Jim package of Pepperoni ¢n cheese, a plate of fries, two more Pepsi¢s and a triple cheese burger. When I got to the shelter, I drank another 16 oz. Pepsi while I settled in and I made three packages of chicken flavored ramen noodles for my dinner. Then I drank another 16 oz. Pepsi while I ate.  ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was good today. It was mostly downhill, but the uphill¢s were reasonable. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping in the Chatfield Shelter tonight. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone most of the day. I passed Sundowner twice (he passed me while I was taking my first break.) I passed ManParty and Lush about an hour from town, and I haven¢t seen Gunther since the shelter this morning. ANIMALS SEEN:  I¢ve seen birds, squirrels, wild turkeys, and the usual assortment of the ever-present bugs. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I spent about $40 on food, drink, and some re-supplies in town. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  My goal today was getting into town, and then pushing on to the second shelter past town. After talking to my mom, and considering some other things, I decided to stop at the first shelter beyond Atkins instead. I have been pushing hard for a while, and I need some good rest. It was supposed to rain and it, indeed, did. Had I pushed on to the second shelter after town, I would have gotten into Damascus well before my mail drop there, so it¢s good that I stopped short. SPECIAL NOTES:  ¢I¢m in a hurry and I don¢t know why . . . ¢ SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  Everyone in camp this morning was moving by 6:30 a.m. ManParty and Lush were out first, followed by Sundowner. I left at 8:38, while Gunther was still packing up. About an hour and a half into my day, I passed Sundowner. After two hours, I took my first break (I take a break every two to three hours while I¢m walking) and Sundowner passed me. I then hiked for an hour or so, and passed him, along with ManParty and Lush, while they were all getting water.  I made it into town about 35 minutes before Sundowner, and about an hour before ManParty and Lush. After an hour and a half to two hours, I left town and headed for the next shelter, and never did see Gunther. About the time the dark rain clouds rolled in, I called my mom to let her know I had arrived at the shelter (the cell service here sucks) and shortly thereafter, it began to rain. No one else has made it to camp thus far. Guess a warm dry bed was too hard for them to pass up. My day is coming soon, though. For now, it¢s off to read and then to bed with me. TTFN my friends.