Date: 2017-06-19
From: Pinefield Hut Tent site area

To: Unnamed tent site alongside South River Fire Road at Mile 910.9
Miles today: 15.1

6/19Pinefield Hut Tent site area to Unnamed tent site alongside South River Fire Road at Mile 910.915.1 milesTotal miles:  910.9I slept more soundly than usual last night, and my journal entry wasn't completed until 4:30.  I still woke up at 5:30 and was out of bed by 6:00.  Rain was very much in the forecast, but the sky was still mostly clear at 7:30, when I hit the trail.  Splat and Dory left a few minutes before me, and I joked that they were going to scare off my bear again.  They excitedly asked me to guess who else had seen a bear.  I guessed the names of several hikers that we both knew, but was unsuccessful.  Dory gave me the answer: Momma Splat.  She had seen a bear on the road from her car.  I am beginning to think I am a bear summoner.  I am doomed to never see a bear myself, but those I come in contact with do.  As excited as Momma Splat was to see a bear, I can be okay with this.  Congratulations, Momma Splat!  The weather was warm and muggy as Mike, Gravity, and I set off.  By the time I was half way up Weaver Mountain, I was already completely soaked in sweat.  I have taken to putting my phone in an extra Ziploc bag when carrying it in my pocket, since my pants get so wet from sweat.  Just past the top of Weaver, we came across a 900 written in sticks in the woods.  It is so hard to believe that I have come this far.  There are only about another 100 miles in Virginia, and half way is less than 200 miles away.  Just past the mileage marker, there was a beautiful view looking down into Powell Gap Hollow.  We paused there awhile to enjoy the view.  I took a photo of Mike wearing his red ball cap emblazoned with the number 38. One of Mike's reasons for wanting to hike the Shenandoahs is that he and his brother, Hal, hiked here 35 years ago.  Four years ago, while riding his bike in a race, Hal suffered a fatal heart attack.  Hal's racing number was 38.  The sky was still mostly clear when we left the overlook and headed for Hightop Hut to get water and eat lunch. Here we found Dory, Splat, and Redcap resting in the shelter.  A storm was forcast to begin soon, and they had decided to wait it out in the shelter.  Mike and I ate lunch and headed back out on the trail to meet Gravity, who we learned from a southbounder had just passed the shelter.  We caught up with him just before the Hightop Mountain overlook.  The clouds were rolling in as I took a photo of the view.  As I was leaving, Mike said to look back. The view was already gone, replaced by a foggy mist.  Gravity said he expected the rain to hit in about fifteen minutes.  He missed the mark by five minutes.  There is an old saying that I know I have mentioned before.  "No rain, no pain, no Maine."  I actually enjoy hiking in the rain.  As it began, I quickly attached my pack cover and put on my rain jacket. Due to the thunder and lightening, we all agreed to hike within sight of each other and continued our walk through a heavy downpour.  Gone was the lethargy I often feel when hiking in hot, muggy conditions, and I felt rejuvenated and recharged.  There is an excitement about a good storm, sort of like the thrill children get from jumping in puddles.  The heaviest rain abated in about fifteen minutes, although we would face a few more periods of heavier rains within the next few hours.  For the most part, we walked in a steady, cooling rain for about two and a half hours.  The rain had subsided when Mike suggested the 0.1 mile side trail to the South River Picnic Area to cook supper.  We enjoyed the use of picnic tables as well as a restroom that featured flush toilets, running water, and a soap dispenser. There were numerous posters instructing people on the proper methods of food care and storage while in bear country.  After dinner, we headed back down the trail a short distance to the South River Fire Road.  Guthook's AT Guide on Gravity's cell phone mentioned that there was a spot for "twoish" tents alongside the road.  It took a little imagination, but we were able to stretch "twoish" to "threeish," and we ended up with a dandy little campsite along the road.  We made judicious use of an "Ozarks hammer" to drive in some of the stakes, but soon had the two tents and Mike's tarp set up.  We hung the food bags and were able to chat awhile before going to bed. Getting into camp at 6:30 provides several advantages over 8:30.  We covered 15.1 miles today and are in good shape to be in Front Royal by Friday, so Mike can head back home.  It is pleasanrly cool right now. The weather has cleared and there is little chance of rain until late Friday.  Hopefully, today's storm will help keep the temperature cooler, but you pretty much take what you get.  I'll enjoy tonight snuggled in my sleeping bag and see what tomorrow will bring.