Date: 2004-06-09
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Riprap Trail Parking Area
Miles today: 16.5

There comes a time in every thru-hiker's journey when the opportunity to slackpack is presented to them. Depending on your goals as a hiker, the thought of taking up an offer to have 90% of your belongings shuttled ahead can be disconcerting--at least for a few minutes. After a stretch on the Trail without all your food, sleeping bag, cooking kit, and tent on your back, you justify the slackpacking as a form of vacation.I woke up ready to head out with all my gear. It had been a hot night and the condensation on the roof of my tarptent dripped as I got dressed. Without direct sunlight, the tent would not dry and I would carry the extra water weight. No worries.But something was still bugging me this morning and I couldn't place it.Jitterbug and Hoover Bender woke up and began packing their car. They were my ride back to the trailhead. Scholar also arose and said that she had "fallen to the dark side" and was taking the Benders' offer to slackpack the day and possibly the week.I sighed. If I hike into the mountains, I may not see them again. We would be out of synch and they expect to be done with Virginia by next Tuesday. Their slackpacking schedule would work for me since I hoped to be in Linden Tuesday as well.Jitterbug came over and extended the offer again. It would be easier if there was the four of us. They could hike south and Scholar and I would hike north. Scholar was given the keys to their jeep.So I fell to the "dark side" as well. I was worried about money (we would spend nights at the Shenandoah campgrounds), I was worried about growing soft from slacking, and I was disappointed in my own impurity to handle the backpack all the way to Katahdin. But I would still be hiking the miles, I still would be eating my one-pot meals, and I would still be sleeping in a tent.I also wanted to enjoy the carefree company of the Benders before they disapear back to Arkansas. I had already lost my own pack (Catdog was a day behind and Hawk was visiting with Peggy). It was a no-brainer.So the Benders dropped Scolar and me at Rockfish Gap for our initiation into the Shenandoahs. I must say that the National Park has been fairly dull so far. Not many views.The excitement for the day is a major thunderstorm passing through. I'm in my tent hoping I won't get flooded again. I guess the pattern of afternoon downpours has returned. This is after hiking through sweltering heat and humidity. I hear the temperature gets "better" in Pennsylvania.After we arrived at the jeep six hours later (we saw two thru-hikers and their dog on our journey), Scholar drove us to the Loft Mountain Campground where we hung out for a few hours waiting for Jitterbug and Hoover. I cooked dinner but could not resist the Blackberry Shake at the snack bar. Scholar also could not resist the vegetarian burger.Scholar is a young field archeologist who has spent the last year as a ranger in Tuscon. She made a quick decision to hike the Trail in November and kept this a secret from her family, friends and boss until two weeks before departing. Wow, I thought I was bad. Scholar is generally calm with nature and a quiet hiker. Both of us admitted today that we are not used to hiking with another person. We stuck together, none-the-less, and carried on a few conversations to pass the time.A noticeable difference in the Shenandoah's is the deer. Not only do you see one or two around every bend, but they aren't the least phased by us hikers presence. I've been seeing deer for awhile each day and neglected to mention it merely because they are as common as squirrels in MA. But the Park deer are incredibly tame. Let's hope that the bears are a little more timid.