Blackrock to somewhere around Beagle Gap NEXT WEEK

[Five Bears]

Last minute and shot-in-the-dark

I am looking for someone to pick me up at the Blackrock parking lot, preferably Tuesday (5/6) around 7 a.m. to haul me down to the closest Skyline dropoff point to the Calf Mtn shelter. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of a move and my trail map is packed right now, but if there's a point where Skyline and the AT meet farther north than Beagle Gap without cheating too badly, that's where I want to go.

I tore a quarter of my meniscus on my right knee coming down Bear Den Mtn right there at Beagle Gap last September. At the time, I hobbled to Calf Mtn for the night, took the next day off and was ferried ahead to Blackrock and hiked ahead almost to Swift Run Gap before the pain got the best of me.

Anyway, I had it hacked off in March and feel I'm ready to do an overnighter. Monday is my birthday and this is my present to myself.

Over the next few days, email at cmdumond@yahoo.com will work better than replies here, but I'll do my best to check in.

[DAKS]

:welcome

[DAKS]

i think that jarmans gap is the nearest to calf mtn. if i remember correctly? sorry i can't help you with a shuttle. have a great hike!

[Five Bears]

Thanks, DAKS. I think you're right about Jarman's Gap. It's a bit north of Calf Mtn, but without a 100 % knee and no serious hiking since last November, shaving a mile or two off the trek seems like the right thing to do anyway.

I have considered bringing a big wheel with me to the lot at Blackrock and just riding down Skyline to my jumping-off point. Don't make me do it, folks.

[DAKS]

just park at the blackrock parking area and hitch a ride south. shouldn't be too much of a problem. good luck! wish i could join you, but i have to work? bummer! the walk south(if you don't get a hitch)isn't too bad. there is only one or two decent ups outta' blackrock and then again as you go up to calf mtn. going SOBO. have a ball. let us know how the meniscus treats you! oh, and look out for the rats or mice at calf mtn. shelter if you decide to sleep in the shelter?

[DAKS]

actually, with a meniscus it will prolly' be the downhill that will bother or exacerbate the pain. just take it easy and enjoy the hike. the ups(very minimal)shouldn't bother you. have a great hike!

[Five Bears]

I have a very Groucho Marx attitude toward hitching. I would never want to ride with someone who would pick me up.