5/29/01
Boot Stew and I were up fairly early but not overly anxious to leave the Harpers Creek shelter until the rain shower passed over which had begun around 5:30 this morning. We were on the trail by 8 a.m. facing a healthy 2200' climb to the summit of Three Ridges mountain. The rocky trail slowed the hike and forced us out of the rhythm of the normal pace, frustrating me along the way. We caught up to thru-hiker Larry and his dad Pegasus who had just joined him for a week on the AT. Soon after passing them, it was time for lunch and we found Yolo and Snowbunny at Cedar Cliff. It was a joyful reunion for Yolo and me. It was also a great opportunity to meet Snowbunny, a thru-hiker from last year who was forced to stop her hike due to illness. Snowbunny is a young 20 something deaf hiker from Colorado and she shows no fear hiking solo. Yolo, Boot Stew, Snowbunny and I hiked a tough final 5 miles to the Harper's Creek shelter. All of us had been contemplating hiking all the way in to Waynesboro, but frankly my feet were in pain and I was completely drained from the rocky terrain all day. By the time we reached the Paul Wolfe shelter it was obvious none of us would attempt the final 5 miles to Waynesboro. Norway, Noggin, and Summer Dog soon arrived and we all cranked out dinner in the waning light of the day. The shelter crowd for the evening included: Beer Poet, Norway, Noggin, Boot Stew, Yolo and Rabbit. I was wondering where the crowd was so it was great to have an energetic crowd in the shelter together for the night. Today's stats; low 48 degrees, high 72. Partly cloudy. Today's mileage: 22.3; cumulative 837.6.
