Date: 2012-04-29
From: 2 miles past the Trail Boss Trail - tented

To: Wapiti Shelter - Tented
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 35 - Sunday, April 29thHiking Days 28 / Nero Days 5 /  Zero Days 2Start Location: 2 miles past the Trail Boss Trail - tentedMile Marker: 584.2Ending Location: Wapiti Shelter - TentedMile Marker: 613.2Time: 11h 28min Miles: 29.0Weather: Nice morning, a touch of rain early with clear skies and sunny later.  Warmer high around 70. Slept pretty well.  Nice breeze at the edge of hill I camped on.  It was funny because with my headlamp battery dead, I use it very sparingly.  So when I turned it off I found that the light level didn't change.  It seems the light I was experiencing was coming from a very bright moon.  Also when I looked through the floor netting I could see the lights from the houses in the valley below.  It actually was rather picturesque.  Bright moon, valley lights, cool breeze and a comfy bed.  Sweeeeet.Up at 6:30.  Not much fussing to do just packing and out at 7:00.  It's nice when all you have to do to get back on the trail, all you have to do is start walking. Not sure what my plan is.  I do know that after yesterday's decision to stay at Woods Hole Hostel I could do whatever miles I want.  The only decision I need to make is how many miles I want to Nero into Woods Hole.  I am pretty much out of food so I know I need to stop at Trent's grocery in 20 miles for a hot meal and a minor snack resupply.  If I decided to move past 20, I will need to leave time to do the nine or do miles to the shelter.  Or just pitch a tent when I run out of light.  I'll just have to play it as it falls. The hiking day was ok.  Wore just my base cloths all day.  In fact last might was the first night I actually took of my hiking shorts.  It's nice to let everything breath.  Passed the first shelter as there was no need to stop.  Another shelter in 10 miles.  I stopped there and finished off my last two Ramen's.  I was feeling pretty sluggish and with six miles to go to Trent's, I needed to put some life back in my step.  I had a big climb right after the shelter stopAs it turned out, the stop worked.  I pounded up the hill without a problem.  Another hiker tried to stay with me but to no avail.  Made it to Trent's at 3:45.  I needed to be back on trail by 5:00 if I wanted to make the 29 mile day before the darkness set in.  Ate my 2 double cheese burgers, fries and Dr. Pepper.  Also a couple of snacks to get me to Pearisburg.  I don't need meals since I plan on eating at Woods Hole.  So I got in and out and back on trail at exactly 5:00.  I should have the time to reach the shelter if I don't dilly-dally.  As the sun started to set I realty did not fret much.  I knew it was getting dark since I saw three deer as they were starting their walk out of the woods to the water sources.  I wasn't sure exactly where I was most of the time in this area since the reference points were all streams and I was in a low area that had nothing but streams.  I thought I was near finishing but my watch told me something different.  My watch was correct.  In-fact my time estimate was once again right on schedule.  Hit the shelter about 7:45.  No need to eat just set up my tent, talked a bit and then it happened.Around 8:45, a headlamp came up the path to the shelter.  To my surprise, it was Dundee.  I thought I jumped about 10-12 miles ahead oh him over the last three days.  As I turned out, I was correct.  The only thing is he did 39 miles to get here and was going to night hike the other six to put him at 45 for the day.  And all that just to call Spiller up and let her know he beat her 40 mile section here.  Off he went.  And off I went ... To bed.  I still felt good with my 84 mile three day section. Got set for bed in my tent and away I went.  Another nice sleeping night.