Date: 2003-05-15
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

Day 63 Avg Mls/Day 13.1Weather: Partly sunny in morning, thunder showers afternoon and evening Morning high temp in 60'sWell, today started out good but after lunch the weather changed things. It was only me and Wicked Wizard in the shelter last night. I got up around 6 and started hiking about 7:15. I kind of ate breakfast out of my food bag in the shelter. The overnight forecast of rain didn't come. Wicked Wizard was still asleep when I left.The morning hike wasn't bad. I did take a few more breaks but the morning climbing up to Main Top Mtn. (4,040') was mostly switchbacks. I stopped at the Priest Shelter for a short break around 10:00 and had lunch at Cripple Creek at 11:30. Shortly after that things went uphill (and downhill)...that is I started a long climb of nearly 3000' to Three Ridges and the weather turned bad. As I approached Harpers Creek Shelter about 2:30 it started to rain. I did my water, snacked and waited a little while but it kept raining. I had this $1 emergency parka from Walmart that covers the whole upper body and the backpack too. I managed to get it on and decided to head for the next shelter to make it a 20 mile day. This was not the wisest decision, but it worked out in the end. Since I was climbing Chimny Rocks and Three Ridges in a thunder storm it was an adventure to say the least. At least the lightning did not strike close by...but the flashes and thunder do make this hiker a little apprehensive. In the 2 months I've been on the Trail, this is the first real rain storm I've walked in. It wasn't so bad except for some exposed ridges and mountaintops. Of course, sight seeing wasn't a concern this afternoon. The emergency parka worked pretty well. It kept the upper body fairly dry, but my lower shorts, socks and feet were soaked. Maupin Field Shelter couldn't come soon enough. When I got there I was surprised to find it almost full. There was Charlie and Wicked Wizard (who took a short cut trail) and 2 section hikers; Oly a 67 year old guy who does about 700 miles each section and Overload a young man who just started a "shakedown" hike yesterday. They all stopped early because of the rain. It was good to see Charlie and I kind of thought he might be here since I saw his name in the shelter registers I had stopped at earlier. Two British guys showed up and we had to squeeze them in. The shelter is now full. I gave Wicked Wizard some grief for taking the short trail and he was just glad to be in out of the rain. Actually, hiking in the storm was a good experience for me and I'm only one more day to Waynesboro. So what if I have to hike in some wet clothes for one day.I decided to eat "cold" food tonight. After finishing off some Famous Amos cookies and trail mix I had velvetta & crackers and tuna, mayo & crackers. I won't need to buy much in Waynesboro since there are waysides along the Trail in SNP. I still love it out here!...I love the Trail...Virginia...the mountains...the outdoors...the hiking...the hikers...everybody! .Personal Message: Sam, I don't consider you a scumbag lawyer...You're A-OK! BTW, Those Zours are fantastic hiking candy!..that initial burst of flavor is great. I should have kept them all and left my food at Four Pines.Thought for the Day: Wet makes you appreciate dry more.