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3/7/00
� Just got back from our trip to the Blue Ridge Mtns. We Hiked along the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park. Very beautiful area.
� Since we went "off-season" we weren't plagued by the normal tourist crowd in the area. On weekdays we would rarely see or hear anyone. The weather was great. The coldest night dropped to 20 degrees and the days were in the 40s and 50s. Perfect hiking weather! Not one drop of rain and the sky was clear and starry every night.
� Although we didn't see any bears, we saw a lot of deer. They were relatively tame - secure in the knowledge that they were not 'huntable'. :)
� The A.T. in the Shenandoahs is very well maintained and well marked. Although well-traveled, it was surprisingly rugged. It ran near a parkway (road), but usually you were both out of sight and sound from it. Water availability would not have been an issue during the summer months since you can hike up to parks with well-fed water fountains, but during the winter those are turned off. The trail runs along the backbone of the mountain line and most water sources are hidden further down the mountain. Although we eventually found great water sources, we spent the first part of our trip searching without success.
� That same ridgeline that the A.T. follows created spectacular views of the land around it. We were constantly looking out accross the valley between the Shenandoahs and the Massanutten in the George Washington N.F. Occasionally we would come to areas where we could look down both sides of the mountains (such as Mary's Rock). Although the gusting winds at these spots were enough to knock you over, we just secured our shells and gazed across to the distant horizons until our hands and face were windburned and our eyes had had their fill.
� Now I see why the A.T. calls so many to hike its length. Hopefully I will be able to tread the rest someday soon!
Journal Entries
7:32pm 3/2/00
� Well, here I am cozied up in a tent high on a ridgetop in the Shenandoah NP. It will get to about 20� F tonight and the winds are gusting enough to knock you over if you're not paying attention. We are. :) Our tent is relatively sheltered and we could cook in peace. Before we left, the ranger told us the winds might subside tomorrow. We'll see. :)
� Speaking of leaving, we left the car around noon today. We were ready to tackle a lengthy ridgeline loop in the George Washington NF about 15 miles west of here, but we were mis-informed by a ranger that the trails were closed. We sped to Shenandoah and found out they were actually open but decided to hike at the Shenandoah as long as we were there.
� Starting @ Thornton's Gap, we are hiking on the Appalachian Trail. It is very well maintained and more rugged than I imagined. It follows a ridgeline in the Blue Ridge Mtns that gives a scenic look accross the way to where we would have hiked. Truthfully, the opportunity to hike on the AT is worth the delay.
*** Geoff suggests putting ham salad in a squeeze tube for lunch
***Yellow micro light still rocks as does this light pen I am using.
*** Tonight's refried bean mix on tortillas was a huge success. We used 1� cup bean mix, one small can of chicken, and 1+ cup water to the insulated cooker.
*** The windy ridge conditions required versatility - when protected from the wind we were boiling, when on the top or windy side we were cold. I rolled the removable pant legs under my gaitors for quick access and wore my jacket backwards so that I could easily remove it (and hang it under a shoulder strap.
8:05pm 3/3/00
� We still haven't found a water source. This is worrying us. The well-fed fountains at two seperate areas were turned off for the "winter". (No snow right now). We tried to find a spring on the map to no avail. The vegetation was too thick and the ridge too steep. Tomorrow...
� Well, off to sleep soon. I'll sleep hard tonight. Alarm set for 6am.
11:09am 3/3/00
� Stony Man Summit. Fingers too numb to write. :) The wind on this outcropping is incredible! We are taking a break behind some rocks on our search for H2O.
5pm 3/3/00
*** Put loops on my liner gloves (so I can clip them to my pack)
� We have arrived at the Rock Spring shelter. Very cool. We can have a fire here and we don't have to take down a tent in the morning
8:37p 3/3/00
*** Bring a sheet of papertowel w/ each meal
� What a gorgeous night! The stars are spectacular and we can see the lights of distant towns in the valley 3,000 feet below us. The shelter has a superb vantage poing.
� The fire is still burning outside the shelter. A fair amount of smoke drifts in here, but I always love a fire.
� Tonight's raviolleti w/cheese and sauce was a hit. I brought a tiny cheese grater that worked like a charm. :)
� It is much warmer tonight than last night. I hope it stays this way - maybe we'll get some bouldering in on the nearby rocks.
10:43 3/4/00
� A slow morning. We've decided to spend a second night in the shelter.
*** REI's wire saw is junk. The ends bent and the saw wire broke on the first use.
� Below us is a cabin run by the Potomac Appaalachian Trail Club (P.A.T.C.). We forgot that today is a Saturday - a group of 6-7 people are staying there. Nice place for a winter stay - oven, bunks, table, porch, fireplace. About $20/night and non-members can reserve 30 days in advance.
� There is a nice spring here by the shelter. We ran into plenty of water since finding that first one yesterday. We'll load up w/water at the last spring on our way back.
� No bear encounters yet. From the perceived safety of our shelter we were kinda hoping we would see/hear one.
� The fact that today is a weekend has us reconsidering leaving our gear out while we hike around.
8:51p 3/4/00
We left our gear at the shelter and hiked down to Rose River Falls. They were a series of smaller falls - we would have loved to camp there for the night.
� Along the road (on the way back), we tried to hitchike w/o success. Geoff's hitching sign (thumbs up) looks more like a "Hey, what's happening!". :) Then we met some Mormons who told us of Cooter's garge in a nearby town. Yes, the same Cooter as "Dukes of Hazard".
� Tonight we ate a spicy Cajun, rice, and chicken meal that was 'very good'.
� Our fire tonight was a conflagration. Geoff describes it as 'nearly irresponsible'. It is still burning now as I write.
� I had trouble sleeping and shivering at the same time last night, so I have the stove at hand to boil water and the mylar bag nearby if that doesn't work.
� We plan to wake up @ 6:00a.m. and get moving by 7:00a.m. Big day of hiking ahead of us!
3/5/00 5:22pm
*** We used 2 cups of H2O for 2 packets of Lipton Pasta (Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil) and it was too much. Needs to sit for more than 12 minutes as well.
� Dinner at the Byrd's Nest Day shelter.
� We woke up this morning @ 6am and somehow pulled ourselves out of slumber about 20 minutes later. I have been quite the morning person on this trip - Geoff still appears hung-over until his feet are moving on the trail. :)
� We flew on the trail today
*** Put nylon clip loops on the pack shoulder straps to attach hat/gloves.
� We passed our first night's campsite at about 11:30a. We lunched at the pinnacle picnic area and met some hikers from Michigan. Since we were so far ahead of scheule, we soaked up some sun for quite awhile there.
*** Good breakfast: We ate a Clif Bar, got hiking, and had cold cereal about an hour later. Excellent!
*** Cold cereal works great!! Especially the granola/milk/blueberries.
8:00pm 3/5/00
� We are snug in our bags in front of a fast dying fire in the day shelter. We shouldn't be here, so we'll have to get up early again tomorrow morning. I'm trying a technique I used last night: Put all of my fleece around my feet and sleep only in my long underwear. So far - so good.
� Tonight I learned "The Road Not Taken" by Robert frost. Always one of my favorites, Geoff helped me memorize it. Test in the morning. :)
*** Once again, this light pen rocks.
� What a gorgeous few days. I'll be sad to leave here tomorrow. G'night!
The Road Not Taken
Two paths diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
Yet be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
because it was grassy and wanted wear.
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both, that morning, equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere, ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I chose the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
� � � -Robert Frost
Stuff
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A border marker between Maryland and West Virginia had us fooled during our quest for Maryland's highest point. Thankfully, we realized our mistake before heading back down! )
Indiana's high point. Signed the roster, stood on the high point, drove away as fast as possible. :))
A beautiful view from the top of Mary's Rock. )
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Here I am cooking up my signiature pasta meal. This one's worth the effort. :))
Just a mug of me trying to look cool on the side of the trail. The icicles behind me steal the show.)
With wind like this you can't help but play "Superman".)
A side hike down to the Rose River Falls was a nice change of pace from the dry ridgetop.)
We found a number of places to boulder on during the trip. Here, however, the wind was so strong we were thankful for the bomber holds.)
Just a happy shot of Geoff and myself taking a lazy lunch break after putting in a hard 15 miles that morning. The shot was taken by a group from Michigan on spring break heading the opposite way.)
If your feet get tired, there are always alternative ways to travel. :))
The natural springs make beautiful art as they freeze and melt along the rock. Here gravel becomes sparkling jewels. (if only the camera could really capture the effect!))
This is one of the shelters along the Appalachian Trail. A raised floor and a second "bunk" level on this particular one. Travel is easy when you don't have to worry about your tent. )
The long awaited Furnace Springs. After a few unsuccessful water hunts, we were relieved to find this flowing spring cascading down the mountainside.)
The Shenandoah's had a great number of deer. These guys were definitely used to not being hunted. )
There's the usual way to cross a log.... )
The one thing that surprises everyone is the relatively low altitude to which the Appalachians reach. The mountains that I was used to reach far above treeline - out here none reach that high. This spot, at 3837 feet, is the highest point of the A.T. in the Shenandoahs.
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