Date: 2007-12-06
To: Fox Gap Maryland
Miles today: 0.0

I wondered how long I could stay off the trail. The answer was 2 months and 3 days. Today I slack packed SOBO from the Washington Monument to a mile south of Fox Gap and back ¢ maybe 8 miles. This was a special trip - a chance to get back on the trail, a chance to experience the trail after a snow fall, and most importantly a reunion with someone who I met briefly during my hike but enjoyed immensely¢¦.. Just Jack. Jack did a flip flop at Harpers Ferry. We had hiked together near Roan Highlands, and we met again just north of Mt. Washington. I had been reading his trail journal ever since we met in the Roan Highlands. His journal was very interesting because its theme was the Presidential campaign he was launching using the trail as his bully pulpit. When he was getting close to Maryland last week, he was keeping his journal very up to date, so I knew that he was approaching a good place for me to meet him. Plan A had been to meet him yesterday at the bridge where the AT goes over I-70. However, the nasty snow and wind and extreme cold created the potential for traffic problems that I didn¢t want to deal with. I swear the discomfort of hiking under these conditions had NOTHING to do with my decision. Besides, today¢s weather forecast looked too nice to pass up ¢ ¢abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures¢.   Jack is 67 and has been hiking with another 67 year old hiker named Farmer. The fact that these 2 guys are doing something I struggled to do with a 20 year youth advantage has me in awe of them. Also the nasty weather they have struggled through. They¢ve been hiking together since before their flip flop. They have an interesting routine - Farmer drops Jack off at the north end of the portion of the trail they will hike each day, then drives himself to the south end of the day's hike. Farmer NOBOs and Jack SOBOs. Jack hikes to the car and drives back to pick up Farmer at the north end. Cool, huh?      Today, as the weatherman promised, was a gorgeous, sunny, day with 3" of snow to slip and fall on. Warmer, however, it was not. The temperature at the start of the hike was 13 degrees. Fortunately I had dressed appropriately, and, as usual, by the end of the hike I was amazed at how little I was wearing. Yes, its true I was down to my speedo.   The snow was soft but the rocks were as hard as ever. I met Jack at the Washington Monument and hiked SOBO to about a mile south of Fox Gap (maybe 4 miles?) where we met Farmer. I had brought a batch of brownies I¢d made, thinking that even if they were eating in hotels that was something they wouldn¢t see much. They became lunch. Then I hiked back to the Washington Monument with Farmer. No comments were made about a man making a batch of brownies for his friends. I think it has been quite lonely for them, as the chatter was constant (and enjoyable) with both of them. I must confess to doing my fair share of the talking, too.    It felt good to be back on trail, and see the trail in the 4th season (winter). Lots of animal tracks in the snow, and believe it or not a fair amount of birds singing. A lot of tripping and skidding over rocks and roots that were hidden by the snow. Had to learn a whole new set of cues to figure out where the trail was when the snow covered the old cues we know. And had to look carefully at the trees to differentiate blazes from patches of snow stuck to the bark. The woods were a lot brighter in winter because the leaves are gone. But..... The same peaceful easy feeling as the other 3 seasons. And that same instant bond with fellow hikers just because we are fellow hikers. It would have been better with the Posse added to the mix, but I'll take what I can get. It reminded me that I miss them and am glad we stay in touch.