Mini-Mosey
03-09-2004, 21:17
Please forgive me for any screw-ups here; this is the first time I have posted more in detail about a trip. Also, obviously I am not "Superhiker"(yet, ha ha)but that doesn't bother me, although I do need to get some kinks in my system worked out(namely, when I can afford to start spending money on other backpacking gear).
I parked my car at the corner of Rt. 7/Rt. 601, next to Snicker's Gap, Va. and set out on the path that led from there to the AT last Tuesday morning. I planned to be out for about a week; this was my first backpacking trip in over a year. I ended up returning on Sunday, making it a 6-day, 5-night trip. (I found out my mom wasn't doing well again, so I turned back north a day or so earlier). On this section of the trail, which is part of the infamous "Rollercoaster", there were LOTS of blowdowns around the trail, and quite a few across the trail. The weather cooperated quite well; there were several days of absolutely glorious hiking, with temps quite above normal for this time of year in this part of the country. Rain fell two nights; one day, the weather was very changeable, sunny one minute, then some gentle rain the next. Lots of mud. The streams, springs, and runs were flowing very well, no lack of water in this section!! I tented 4 of the 5 nights(at shelters)and stayed inside Rod Hollow Shelter one night. I was alone; there were no rodent problems. A group of adolescent boys were also hiking in my direction for a couple of days; I have reason to believe they may have been from a school for the behaviorally disordered (one of them said they were from a school)because of things I saw. Two of them who were straggling behind the others appeared to be strewing trash along the trail. Also, one time when I hiked past them, one was setting fire to a small pile of leaves by the trail. Serious concerns.(No fire did result).
The tree branches, of course, were still bare. I did encounter a group of older ladies who were nature hikers, one of whom informed me that there was skunk cabbage growing up ahead. She said skunk cabbage is one of the glories of spring. I tried to locate it when I hiked further but, try as I might, I don't think I saw it, or I saw it and didn't realize that was it!!!! I also saw the backs of a couple of white-tailed deer, heard woodpeckers and some beautiful songbirds, and observed various insects(flies and beetle-like creatures). And of course some squirrels.
I also met several people worthy of mention here: Tom, a 2001 thru-hiker(trail name, "Ponch")who was out on a 3-day in and back trip; Better-Late-Than-Never, a young fellow who works at an outfitter's near Port Clinton, Pa. on weekends and who was hiking from Pa. through the Shenandoahs; and Just Playin' Jane, an almost thru-hiker from the class of 1998 and who lives on Rt. 605, which the trail crosses. I might also add that I feel more in harmony with her, since she hikes more at my speed. Tom and Better-Late-Than-Never figuratively roller-skated up and down the trail!! I might add that I am not a "go-liter" although when finances permit, I would probably like to purchase a lighter shelter and possibly pack. I have worked out kinks in my Kelty Klondike, and I like my Coleman 2-person dome tent(pack wt. about 5 pounds), but I could obviously stand to cut some weight. Additionally, I probably need to get some hiking boots better suited for my feet, or specifically, my left foot! My right foot did well overall, but my left foot was another matter. In fact, I could only hike in my liner sock on my left foot, as opposed to the liner and the Thorlo sock, because the toes were so uncomfortably squished. Other changes have come to my mind as well, but I won't bore you with them. Also, I'm definitely out of shape!! Lugging that backpack up and down over hills and over a lot of rocky surfaces sure helped jolt this middle-aged body to attention!! Despite the up's and down's and rocky surfaces and fording runs and streams, I love this section, lots of pines, beautiful viewpoints, and rather wild and rugged-like.
One other thing I want to rave about is my pepsi can stove, made courtesy of The Trail Slug!! I used it for the first time on this trip, and it's awesome!!! I used HEET as fuel, burns hot(to me, anyway)and great!! I used 3 tent stakes as my mug support and a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil under the stove(I still need to concoct a decent windscreen). I do not carry a pot, just a 16-ounce cup; I don't do any complicated cooking while out. However, my favorite part of camping is making and drinking a strong cup of coffee in the morning!! Trail Slug, thank you so much for this lightweight, very effective stove!! I wrote about it in two of the shelter logs. You might be getting quite a few more orders!!
Thanks to all who had the patience to put up with the rantings of a once-again enthused "trail traveler"!!!!
I parked my car at the corner of Rt. 7/Rt. 601, next to Snicker's Gap, Va. and set out on the path that led from there to the AT last Tuesday morning. I planned to be out for about a week; this was my first backpacking trip in over a year. I ended up returning on Sunday, making it a 6-day, 5-night trip. (I found out my mom wasn't doing well again, so I turned back north a day or so earlier). On this section of the trail, which is part of the infamous "Rollercoaster", there were LOTS of blowdowns around the trail, and quite a few across the trail. The weather cooperated quite well; there were several days of absolutely glorious hiking, with temps quite above normal for this time of year in this part of the country. Rain fell two nights; one day, the weather was very changeable, sunny one minute, then some gentle rain the next. Lots of mud. The streams, springs, and runs were flowing very well, no lack of water in this section!! I tented 4 of the 5 nights(at shelters)and stayed inside Rod Hollow Shelter one night. I was alone; there were no rodent problems. A group of adolescent boys were also hiking in my direction for a couple of days; I have reason to believe they may have been from a school for the behaviorally disordered (one of them said they were from a school)because of things I saw. Two of them who were straggling behind the others appeared to be strewing trash along the trail. Also, one time when I hiked past them, one was setting fire to a small pile of leaves by the trail. Serious concerns.(No fire did result).
The tree branches, of course, were still bare. I did encounter a group of older ladies who were nature hikers, one of whom informed me that there was skunk cabbage growing up ahead. She said skunk cabbage is one of the glories of spring. I tried to locate it when I hiked further but, try as I might, I don't think I saw it, or I saw it and didn't realize that was it!!!! I also saw the backs of a couple of white-tailed deer, heard woodpeckers and some beautiful songbirds, and observed various insects(flies and beetle-like creatures). And of course some squirrels.
I also met several people worthy of mention here: Tom, a 2001 thru-hiker(trail name, "Ponch")who was out on a 3-day in and back trip; Better-Late-Than-Never, a young fellow who works at an outfitter's near Port Clinton, Pa. on weekends and who was hiking from Pa. through the Shenandoahs; and Just Playin' Jane, an almost thru-hiker from the class of 1998 and who lives on Rt. 605, which the trail crosses. I might also add that I feel more in harmony with her, since she hikes more at my speed. Tom and Better-Late-Than-Never figuratively roller-skated up and down the trail!! I might add that I am not a "go-liter" although when finances permit, I would probably like to purchase a lighter shelter and possibly pack. I have worked out kinks in my Kelty Klondike, and I like my Coleman 2-person dome tent(pack wt. about 5 pounds), but I could obviously stand to cut some weight. Additionally, I probably need to get some hiking boots better suited for my feet, or specifically, my left foot! My right foot did well overall, but my left foot was another matter. In fact, I could only hike in my liner sock on my left foot, as opposed to the liner and the Thorlo sock, because the toes were so uncomfortably squished. Other changes have come to my mind as well, but I won't bore you with them. Also, I'm definitely out of shape!! Lugging that backpack up and down over hills and over a lot of rocky surfaces sure helped jolt this middle-aged body to attention!! Despite the up's and down's and rocky surfaces and fording runs and streams, I love this section, lots of pines, beautiful viewpoints, and rather wild and rugged-like.
One other thing I want to rave about is my pepsi can stove, made courtesy of The Trail Slug!! I used it for the first time on this trip, and it's awesome!!! I used HEET as fuel, burns hot(to me, anyway)and great!! I used 3 tent stakes as my mug support and a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil under the stove(I still need to concoct a decent windscreen). I do not carry a pot, just a 16-ounce cup; I don't do any complicated cooking while out. However, my favorite part of camping is making and drinking a strong cup of coffee in the morning!! Trail Slug, thank you so much for this lightweight, very effective stove!! I wrote about it in two of the shelter logs. You might be getting quite a few more orders!!
Thanks to all who had the patience to put up with the rantings of a once-again enthused "trail traveler"!!!!