Date: 2011-06-01
From: Brown Mountain Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: light rain

Today was the earliest start yet. I was ready to hike at 5:30 am, but that was still a little too dark. I hit the trail at 5:45 am. Starting this early would help me keep to the schedule to eet Serena in Harpers Ferry early on 6/8/11. Mingo was still asleep in his tent. It felt good to be taking full advantage of my daylight hours, especially since i had another big day in store. On top of that, it was a town day. I must arrive at a decent hour if I want to make the Chinese buffet I've heard so much about. I didn't get the best of sleep because the ground was a bit uneven again where i pitched my tent. There wasn't much to choose from as far as tenting went. I took off long before Mingo/Hooker had even stirred from his slumber. I was already 1/3 of the way up "three ridges". Three ridges is the 3000' monster climb that is opposite of "the priest". During the crisp, cool morning it wasn't that bad getting the remaining 2000' up. It was even better to know that this was the last 1000' + climb until Vermont! Choice! I think I climbed too quickly and without eating enough; I was a little light headed at the top so I took a break for a cliff bar. I planned my water out a lot better than yesterday because did not want a repeat performance of that mishap. The weather was just as hot as yesterday so I'm glad I left the climb for the morning like yesterday also. On another blue ridge parkway crossing I encountered yet another cooler with trail magic. This one had a few cheeky beers in it! I was initially thinking about the calories I would obtain from the beers. I downed two cans rather quickly ans soon realized that I was fairly drunk. This made me realize how fatigued and dehydrated I was. Onward north! I had miles to knock out. The next section of tril has to be my least favorite so far. I was on a narrow shelf that cut across a steep slope which bounced up and down for miles. It was super rocky with poison ivy all over the place and I was pretty drunk. Not a good combination. My average was only around 2.5 mph. My average for the entire day was around 2.75 mph, which was slower than yesterday. If I keep doing these big days back to back, my speed will keep diminishing. I had lunch at the end of the ghey section at another blue ridge parkway crossing. It was then on to a series of small climbs to the top of humpback mountain. I had some very nice views of wintergreen ski slopes. They were cute, but not "real" slopes like back home in the 'rado. The last shelter before town was very nice. It was a new building right next to a fast flowing stream with sweet little cascades. I passed a bunch of sections hikers that weren't going the distance that I was today. The last three miles were on relatively simple terrain, but I was struggling with sore muscles. I had to keep going to meet Serena and mum on time. Finally, I got to the gap and called the guy I had a reservation with. He and his wife run a lovely b&b in town called the Tree Street Inn, which also caters to hikers. He picked me up and gave me a driving tour of the town before taking me back to his house. I got in just after 6:00 pm which gave me ample time to shower and open the package that serena and mum so graciously packed and sent to me. The contents of the package were items that I could not really wait for, such as: new hiking boots (as the old ones have completely had it) and a new camelbak bladder (as the old one tends to leak from both ends of the hose). Food items were minimal but since the package was coming it saved me from going to the supermarket. There was also a kindle! I was foolish for not getting one of these epic gizmos from th beginning. Obviously I can now read heaps of ace books without the weight, but I can also update my journals and bookface without having someone else do it for me! It has a pretty fly 3G connection, so where I can find phone service i can update journals! Boo-ya. I put on the new boots and walked down to the chinese buffet. This was the BEST chinese buffet that i have ever been to by a long shot! I can only compare the awesomeness to one of those ridiculous Vegas buffets. It was exceptional. They had everything from the normal dishes to frog legs and fantastic sushi. I plowed six whole plates. I've never been able to eat that much. I think I finally managed to catch up on some well needed calories. The walk back to the house was rough, mainly because i was so full, and all I wanted to do was sleep. When I got to my room I took an aleve for my soreness, an antihistamine for my insect bites, and a muscle relaxer for my legs. I don't have any more memory of the day from then on. My schedule for tomorrow is a nero of only seven miles, so no worries.