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.