Date: 2004-04-07
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: ATC Office (Harpers Ferry, WV)
Miles today: 29.8
Weather: clear sky

29.8How to get from Bearfence Mtn Hut to Harpers Ferry in 3 days (107.2 miles):Monday: Bearfence to Rangeview Cabin- 35 milesTuesday: Rangeview to Rod Hollow Shelter- 42.4 (pain is just weakness leaving the body)Wednesday: Rod Hollow to Harpers Ferry- 29.8So here I sit at my cousin's crib here in Aldie, Virginia, chilling like a death row inmate, all my wants, needs, and desires being met. My cousin Emily Dewitte (Sternberg) and her husband Matt have been very gracious hosts and I look forward to a great weekend. Anyways, here's how today wentStart time-0900End time-1915Morning Weather-warm and cloudless skies, mid 60sAfternoon Weather- sunny and plenty warmEvening weather-cooling off but still adequately mildBreakfast-3 little debbie brownies and strawberry-kiwi crystal lightLunch-snickers cookie bars, oats and honey bars (peanut butter)Dinner-Red Robbins (bacon burger, cheese sticks, peach shake, strawberry-lemonade, ALL YOU CAN EAT FRENCH FRIES (I have been saying my whole life that if i ever find a restaurant with all you can eat fries that i am going to move within 20 minutes of it, sorry mom and dad, looks like Virginia will be my future home. It was awefull nice of y'all to raise me and stuff, but I am finally home.)Trail Description: very flat and rocky, except for the first 14 miles or so which are called "the coaster". A quick glance at a profile map shows why, there is a series of short but steep PUDs (pointless ups and downs) which aren't that tall, there's just many of them. My tip is to hit them as fast as you can. But be careful because the downhills (NOBO) are quite rocky and ankle twisting and knee blowing. After Bears Den Rocks, very cool the trail pretty much becomes a 4 mph freeway. The problem being that there are many rocky sections which require carefull route planning. The rocks were hauled in from Pennslyvania, so rumor has it. Or maybe they left on their own accord like some kind of granite pilgrim.People-lots and lots of people. actually a lot of older gents out for a day hike. for a while i would meet someone every 10 minutes, seriously. nice to have friendly conversation, even if they were all the same to me. (Ben; from Holland, MI; yup, the tulip festival; February 1st; yeah, some cold nights; late June; yeah, a little early...)Animals-deer, birds, bugsMoney-noneBiggest Complaint- I was pretty sore for most of the day, my knees and the tops of my feet hurt. I was a little leary of the possibility that I may have stress fractures in my feet but I think they will be alright.Narrative- I wanted to get an early start, but I did not shut my head lamp off until 2330 last night and I did not wake up until 0800. It took a solid 45 minutes of morning chores to get me ready to go. I was sore and stiff but eventually the 800 mg of ibuprofen kicked in and i was able to start the last leg into Harpers Ferry. The first 2 hours of the morning through the coasters I took as fast as I could, 2 mph was all I could muster. On the way I met a troop of boy scouts, I spoke with the leader, who was actually bringing up the rear. I told him of my intentions to make to Harpers Ferry by evening, ¢You¢ll never make it, roughest part of the AT through here¢. Thanks dude, and by the way, you can¢¦.From atop the next section of coaster, Buzzard something, I called Matt and advised him that I would do my best to get to Harpers by 6. I just threw that time out there, not realizing that that would mean 4 mph over the next 6.5 hours. Better get it in gear.I beat feet as fast as I could, mainly staying right at 3 mph over the rest of the coasters and through the Devils Racecourse boulder field. After the climb out of the boulder field I the terrain becomes park esque and it was easy to burn miles. The terrain was all pretty much the same, so I do not feel that I missed much. Except for the rocks, it was actually a lot like Michigan.By 1630 I was at David Lesser Memorial Shelter where I left notes for the Solemates and Magic. I also left a notebook that I am hoping that people will sign and leave for Scott Rogers to pickup. Scott Rogers is the amputee. I taped an article to the inside cover and left clear instructions, I am hoping that he gets it.By 1745 I was still about 4 miles out of Harpers Ferry so I called Matt again to advise him that 1900 was going to be a better time, which it turns out worked out better for them also, God always provides.The last 4 miles are pretty cool. I think they are called ¢redoubts¢ but they look more like trenches and foxholes from the civil war. Very cool, but I guess that doesn¢t adequately describe the emotions stirred as you walk over grounds where thousands of men once lay dead and dying. It made me wish I knew more about the Civil war, in order to provide at least some sort of homage and reverence for out fallen brothers.Soon the mighty Shenendoah was insight and after a long half mile walk across the bridge the trail climbs up along the ridge. From looking at the maps I figured the trail went through the town, like along a sidewalk, but it stays in a wood line out of sight of the town. I glanced at my watch. 1915 as I approached the marker which directs you left up to the ATC offices. I said a long solemn prayer as I leaned on the sign, thanking God for getting me through 3 long days. As I meandered through Storer College, I noticed familiar faces and a floppy eared chocolate lab approaching. Matt, Emily, and Dutch. It was so wonderful to see them, I must have looked like lukewarm death but they said I looked ¢good¢. Dutch, who is Broot¢s son (Broots is my yellow back at home in MI), took more traits from Sophie, the mother, what a beautiful pooch.We carried on an I peaked into the ATC windows where I say a worker inside. Although closed for the better part of 2 hours, she was happy to let me in and she took my picture and I signed in. The first NOBO. We didn¢t keep her long and I promised to return before I left to browse and answer questions.From there we went back to Matt and Emily¢s where I showed, got dressed in some civilian clothes, and hit the Red Robbins. What a great place to eat, I ate myself nauseous, it was great. Back at the ranch, I went to bed and finished Patriot Games and called it a night around midnight. What a good day.