Date: 2003-04-21
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is much like connecting the dots on a game board. Trail markers, called "white blazes", painted on trees, posts,even rocks, mark the trail. As a hiker, you just hike from blaze to blaze. It's really hard to get lost. They are usually within eye sight of one another. Here in Pennsylvania, where the tree are still bare of leaves, it's very easy to see several blazes at once. I carry topo maps I can refer to if there is ever any question. I've only used them about a half dozen times so far. Very pleasant trail today. Hiked into Query Shelter, arriving at lunch time. It's raining again today and I got caught in a downpour. My gear was wet and after eating lunch I debated if should go on or just wait out the storm. Afterall, it's just water. About then, three hikers and their dog showed up; Gunslinger, Sparrow, and CJ. We watched it pour from under the shelter and shared trail stories. This shelter is gorgeous. A babbling creek flows in front and it is surrounded by rhododendrons, which must be brilliant when they are in bloom. The idea behind the shelters on the AT is that every eight miles or so, with idea that hikers can hike from one to next or(or the one after) in a day, having a place to shelter from the elements. Totally different from the PCT where we camped virtually where we ran out of steam for the day. Pitching a tent on the AT is permitted only in designated areas and at the shelters. The clouds parted and I made a dash out of the shelter. My hope was to get to Tumbling Run, 12 miles further along the trail and it was already 1:30 pm. Soon after leaving the shelter and heading downhill, I entered a state park. I couldn't help myself. I took a sponge bath in the ladies room, brushed my teeth with RUNNING water, washed out some clothing, disposed of trash and tanked up on fresh drinking water. A BIG thank you to the PA park system! Came across a poorly maintained section of trail. It looks to be torn right through the woods. The rest of the trail has been very well managed, but this spot needs a little TLC. Branches, limbs and vines were strewn everywhere. So far on trail I have seen one white tail deer, one rabbit and a zillion grey squirrels. I've also seen one white sweatshirt, one boot(new), two gloves(not mates) and two socks(not mates). People usually frop these things out of their packs, but a boot?Actually, the trail is very clean. Made it to the top of the hill where the Rocky Mountain Shelters are at 4:15pm and decided to keep going, knowing it was another seven miles to Tumbling Run Shelters. It had stopped raining and I was feeling good, so decided to go for it. The ascent to Rocky Mountain was full of huge boulders. I had to pick my way through a long boulder field. They were covered with a moss I've never seen before - looked something like the camoflage nets we used in the military to cover our tents and vehicles. Did my first three mph section today. Just can't sustain it yet - not enough stamina and I zig when I should zag. My pace is closer to 2 - 2.5 mph right now. When I was doing the 3 mph it reminded me of doing gates in downhill skiing. There I was dodging rocks like they were gates, trekking poles flying in every direction. The thing that happens when you get into that "thru-hiker zone" is you become focused and your hand, eye, foot coordination is so keen, that you never even feel the pack on your back. I'll tell what, I think Pennsylvania GROWS ROCKS! I rolled my left ankle three times today and my right one once. When you view the photos, you'll understand why. I'm eating three hot meals a day and am glad for it. Keeps me going. Arrived at Tumbling Run at 7:15pm. I was the only one at the shelter. I completely emptied the contents of my backpack and hung EVERYTHING from the hooks inside the shelter to air out and, hopefully, dry. The day ended much as it had begun, a gentle rain and morning doves cooing. Woke at 1:15am to the sound of pouring rain pounding on the shelter roof.the AT Word of the day: Ford - to wade across a shallow part of a body of water.