Date: 2013-06-22
From: Tom Floyd Shelter

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Just before the shelter last night, about 2 miles before, the trail left the Shenandoah National Park. Got up at 5:15 to pack up and eat quickly so I could make the 2.9 miles to US 522 by 8:15. Pantry and I were walking by 6:30 and got to the road crossing by 7:45. It was an easy downhill walk. Just before the road, about a 1/4 mile, was a 4 ft wide boardwalk over a marsh about 70-80 yds long. Jack arrived at 8:05 and I said goodbye to Pantry. She moved on down the trail. Jack and I drove into Front Royal and had a large breakfast, then on to Wal-mart for me to grab a few more resupply items. Nancy had given him a short list and with what I added my pack felt heavy again. I have determined that Clif bars may be much better for you than a Snickers, but I have to force them down whereas a Snickers is delicious. Also bought some blister bandaids, which are downright miracle workers-another trail comparison, they are so much better than moleskin. I was back on the trail by 11 am, only off trail 3 hrs for a town visit-record time. Thank you Jack for all the help. Hope you enjoy the musical in NYC next week. The trail was up from the highway about 800 over the first couple miles, not too bad. Passed Mosby campsite, which was named for Colonel John Mosby of confederate raider fame. Then on to the Jim and Molly Denton shelter for lunch. This is another of the upscale shelters with a large deck, brick steps, deck chairs, and separate pavilion with picnic table, and finally, a solar shower down a short trail. Unfortunately, the shower was not working, but the pipe up the side had a spigot that trickled water. With the shampoo there, I did wash my hair, face and arms. It was heaven in the high heat and humidity. While eating lunch there, thru hiker Count Daddy came in and we swapped trail stories and friend sightings. A little over 3 miles from the shelter the trail passes under I-66 on Tucker's Lane. At a parking lot by the trail, a young group were doing trail magic. I had eaten less than 2 hrs before, but I had 1 beer, 1 cookie, 1 jelly donut...just to be sociable, you know. I also stuck 1 beer into my pack just to be extra friendly. At the table was a ATC PATC Ridgerunner named Bear. A very big guy! He headed up trail before me by just a few minutes. From the gap of 800 ft to the top 1698 ft, was done over about 2 miles. About halfway up I see Bear getting to his feet after a short rest. When I got to the shelter all the good tent sites were taken, but the shelter was empty, so I claimed a good spot and settled in. My South African friends, Springbok and Kitty, were already tented there. Talked with Bear for a while. He had thru hiked in '09, the year he got back from Afghanistan and out of the Army. The subject of weight loss came up, and I said I had lost about 40 lbs so far. I asked him how much he lost in '09. He replied, not much since he was smaller back then and had just gotten out of the Army. He only weighed 276. Ha! I asked how much he weighed now. He answered, 350. He is a big guy, but not fat. Only two other hikers joined me at the shelter that night. I had a good night's sleep.