Date: 2004-06-15
From: Pearisburg, Virginia

To: Reshuffling the Deck
Miles today: 7.3

I have determined that a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail consists of one miniature expedition after another. These little expeditions begin and end at certain towns along the trail that are popular rest stops for hikers.For example, hikers Zip Off, Susan, Kato, Slow Train, and I were hiking a stretch of the trail during the last few days between Atkins and Pearisburg, Virginia. We would socialize with each other most nights at the shelters, and sometimes catch up to one and other during the days and eat lunch together. The weather along this stretch was exceptionally humid with much rain and fog. The trail conditions were muddy.In Pearisburg, that miniature expedition ended. The card deck of characters was shuffled. In town, I met lots of other hikers-familiar faces and new faces-who were resting or who were heading back on the trail. Yesterday, Zip Off and Kato returned to the trail, but I waited until today. I briefly bumped into Susan. I have not seen Slow Train. Today, a new mini expedition has begun, beginning in Pearisburg, Virginia and ending in Catabwa, Virginia, a distance of 72 miles. It will take me an estimated five days to cover the distance.What lies ahead on this next miniature expedition? Who will be the hikers that I share the trail with? What will the weather be like?On this first day out of Pearisburg, it rained for most of the afternoon. As soon as the first drops fell, I took off my hiking shoes and socks, stored them in my backpack, and put on my new pair of hiking sandals.The trail became a succession of muck holes broken up by stretches of rocks or high grass. My feet immediately became wet and muddy. Particles of dirt worked their way between the soles of my feet and the surface of the sandals. These conditions were not pleasant, but they were tolerable. I hiked with an assurance that when dry conditions return to the trail, I will be putting on dry socks and shoes. The only problem with the sandals is a chaffing on a spot above my right toe. I affixed duct tape on the spot, but it became unglued from the wetness and the chaffing continued. I must find a solution to this problem.I am not surprised that a chaffing problem marred an otherwise successful debut of my hiking sandals. There are no perfect solutions on the Appalachian Trail, only compromises and willpower.I hiked seven miles today and called it quits at the Rice Field Shelter. After dropping off my backpack inside the shelter, I hiked almost 1/2 mile down a spur trail to obtain water at a spring. The narrow spur trail was flanked by wet and dripping bushes, some of them with thorns. These bushes soaked my hiking pants and dampened my underwear briefs.Including myself, there are eight hikers camping at this spacious shelter. One of them is from Switzerland, another is from Great Britain, and a third is from Australia. The rest of them are residents of the United States. The Aussie is a quiet spoken hiker named Dave. His trail name is Underfoot. I had hiked with him several weeks ago and occasionally seen him at hostels and other gathering spots. He has been stuck in this shelter for three days while resting an injured knee. One of the campers here named Apostle is sleeping in a hammock. Above him is a large tarp which he just purchased as a result of the frequent rain. I was happy to hear of his decision because it validated my decision to order a larger tarp for my hammock.In the shelter, we engaged in debates of historical subjects. The questions raised were as follows: Where was the ancient city of Troy located? Did workers rather than slaves build the pyramids in Egypt? What was the role of the Dutch East India Company in the creation of Australia?This evening, a gentle breeze is blowing through the trees outside the shelter. The wet leaves and branches are bobbing and sending droplets of water to the ground. The drops make a hard tapping noise as they land upon the metal roof of the shelter. Whenever the wind speed increases momentarily, a cascade of drops land upon the roof and generates a clamor of noise. An evening wind is something that has been absent in recent memory. Perhaps the weather is taking a positive turn. Although it rained again today, I feel a greater optimism at the start of this latest phase, or mini expedition, along the trail to Maine.My body feels stronger after resting in Pearisburg. I have sandals to better cope with the wetness. Down the trail, a new and larger tarp will be added to my gear, which shall offer me greater flexibility in choosing locations to make camp.