Bullfrog: 6th Leg Round-Up

We finished the 6th leg by 11:30 am the second day. 20 miles in less than a day and half is pretty good ... for us. We saw a guy we had seen on the 5th leg three weeks earlier. He had been waiting for a ride at the end of his hike, and we chatted for a while with him while I was filling out our backcountry camping permit. This time, we were walking past a campground, and we passed him and a little girl. It took a second to recognize him (and he us) since we were so far from where we had seen him last. The timing and location made it unexpected. Then, on Sunday, after we were done, had had lunch, and I had dropped Rhino off at his auto, we made a pitstop on our way out of the SNP at Skyland, and saw the guy again.

Other than Rhino's balls, the only thing wrong with him was major poison ivy. He said it was everywhere, and, although I didn't see it, he sounded miserable on the phone.

I was fine, other than being extremely tired. I got a shower after I got back, and then after a short nap, we went to our church's picnic. I was feeling dehydrated and tired, but after guzzling some water and chowing down on some hotdogs, I was feeling pretty good. Thought about playing soccer with some church folks, but I figured I wouldn't have any stamina (which was probably right). Finally, someone suggested softball, and it's been too long since I played last ... there was no stopping me.

I played first base and we got trounced in the first inning. When I finally got up to bat, I got to big of a bat, and couldn't get it anywhere near the ball in time. I got a different bat, and I was able to begin to make some contact. When I finally got on base, I was at first, and someone popped up. I had started to run, but once it was caught, I scrambled to get back to first, and sorta slided. It was more of a squat-slide ... which, simply, doesn't work. My ankle rolled inside, and then I sat on it. I knew immediately something was hurt, and tried to walk it off a little, but it was seriously sprained. I ended up playing the rest of the game. I still was able to get my swing back pretty good, and chugged a couple of solid base hits.

By Monday, my ankle was the size of a softball. I could walk ... barely. I didn't do much for it other than to elevate it and ... uh ... self-medicate. Two weeks later, it's doing better, but it still let's me know not to jump or run.

Four weeks until the 7th Leg. I understand that Rhino's going to be doing a solo for several days. Rhino, please fill us in.

Rhino: Breaking Records and Cracking Nuts

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

Bullfrog and I drove out to Shenandoah National Park Friday night. We dropped off his car and then drove 20 miles north to Fishers Gap Overlook. The overlook was quiet, and we slept in the car waiting for the next day and the coming hike. The sun wasn't even up when I woke up, Bullfrog woke later and we packed up and started hiking before 6:30am. We had a great hike, the weather was good and we were really moving. We passed the sleeping campers at Big Meadows, I don't understand this form of camping and what it's use is. RV's and Pop-ups all located in a small area like a suburb outside of a metropolitan area. Big Meadows is considered a high altitude meadow discovered in the 17th century by European settlers. In 1996, during the Blizzard of 1996, Big Meadows recorded Virginia's greatest storm snowfall accumulation at 47"

We didn't get to see much of Big Meadows as we passed through quickly, however on the way home we drove through and it was very beautiful. I don't know why we were moving so fast, but it seemed effortless as we clicked off the miles. It must have been a combination of factors, the early start, the moderate terrain, my light pack, because we made it to Lewis Mtn before noon.

We were tired, but we had done 10 miles before noon! a new record. We made a short sidetrip over to the campstore for a few small purchases. We talked with a wiry Through-hiker who was proud of his 900+ miles, I was more amazed with his Australian sheep dog then him. Do dogs enjoy Through hiking? or do they resent it? Does he have to carry food for the dog?

When we left I began noticing a physical problem...I was chafing in the nether regions...not just a little bit either, alot. I had decided to go commando that morning, and it had turned out to be a bad decision. We continued for two more miles, but I was getting more tired and experiencing discomfort at every step. We stopped at the Pocosin Fire rd. and took a fifteen minute nap with flies, gnats buzzing around or heads. It was very difficult to rest there, as a family of six was traipsing down the road towards the cabin. Two more SOBO (south bound) Hikers stepped over us. Finally I had enough. "lets go find a camp site!" We pressed on, Bullfrog could see I was in pain and began looking for campsites. We climbed an extremely steep switchback and collapsed at the top. There was a small clearing right next to the trail and Bullfrog set up the tent without any help from me. I felt bad, I couldn't move. We had gone 12 miles, and had plenty of light left, but we weren't going any further. Bullfrog cooked dinner (freeze dried Chicken Pot pie) and we had a few drinks before we passed out from exhaustion.

The next morning Bullfrog was up and moving before the Sun came up. A deer was grazing near our camp and the weather seemed almost perfect. Jeremiah ate some freeze dried scrambled eggs and bacon and I had cold granola with blueberries which quickly turned my tongue and lips purple. My chafing problem although tender seemed like a thing of the past, and with a new found respect for Hanes briefs we set off on the remainder of our sixth leg. I couldn't help but point out every grassy flat area that could have been a potentially flat campsite (read: whaaaa, I don't like sleeping on hills w/ rocks!)

We were trudging up Baldface Mtn when Jeremiah shouted out behind me, "Whoooa!"

I looked back to see a small 24" snake I had instinctively stepped over. I don't know if it was poisonous, but it snapped at my hiking pole and crawl away. We saw a few more deer a couple of rabbits, ground squirrels and chipmunks. We saw bear scat on the trail and listened and watched for them diligently, but saw no bear. I still remember the large black bear we saw walking along the trail three weeks ago. He/She seemed very content to walk along with us minding his/her own business. Today, I was reading about bear encounters on whiteblaze.com, uhhhh...next time I won't stop for pictures.

3 miles away from Rt 33 we started a gradual descent along the sunny top of a ridge, which was rough on my knees. We took a short detour for water and picked raspberries along the way. Ripe wild raspberries, felt and tasted like a treat from God Himself...Well, I guess they were. We finally reached Rt 33 and picked some "wine berries" nestled in some poison ivy. We had completed another AT Map, we had a mile and half to go to the car. I didn't want to look at the next map, and I'm glad I didn't because that last mile and half was straight up a mountain...it was the hardest mile. We reached the hot sweltering car, and I was only to happy to just sit and sweat, with the windows down as we drove back to my car.

We may not be Through Hikers, or very athletic, were not the best or fastest hikers but my sense of accomplishment is the same as if I just completed the Boston Marathon. I am very proud of what we do. We are Appalachian Trail Section Hikers.

Bullfrog: 6th Leg Coming Up

This weekend Rhino and Bullfrog are back to the Trail as we continue or journey through the Shenandoah National Park. Last time Rhino survived his first encounter with a bear (we had passed him before we had noticed him about 20-30 feet off of the Trail). It was not nearly as grueling as trying to keep Son of Rhino motivated. It's difficult enough keeping oneself motivated, but it is especially emotionally draining to have to encourage someone else just to keep moving their feet.

Anyway, it looks like it will be just 2 of us for about 18 miles. We'll be picking it up about the middle of the central district and going to the bottom, around Route 33. We hope to head out there early Friday night to get a decent start on Saturday. Trying to go even lighter this time ... particularly you, Rhino! Maybe you should use your new "North Face" pack.

I haven't done much physically since the last hike three weeks ago. The first week I was recovering from the flu or strep or TB or halitosis or something. The other two weeks ... I don't know other than that I've been overly busy. I'll get some exercise this weekend!

Off to home and packing my backpack.