5/7/01
Thank the Lord this day is finished. This morning began with a late start since Little Guy and I had stayed up so late last night. There was a steep 600 foot climb to start the morning followed by a steep descent on the other side. Then the big climb of the day, a 2000 foot climb to Chesnut Ridge that finally culminated at the Chestnut Knob shelter at the top. It was an enjoyable hike and I felt good having lunch at the top. The view overlooking Burke's Garden (farmhouses and green pastures below) was inspiring. Then the real fun began. The profile map showed a small climb, then a generally flat ridge the next seven miles. What it didn't show was the extremely rocky terrain coupled with steep little ups and downs of 50 feet or so for the next seven miles. It was, I think, the most exhausting afternoon of hiking so far on the AT and I must admit I was miserable through the whole stretch. There were limited sporadic views but they didn't make up for the difficult terrain. My feet and knees hurt worse today than at any time on the AT and I was discouraged. When I finally made it to the campsite, just beyond Jenkins shelter at 6:30 p.m. I was whipped. Hip, Rocky, and the Bedouin were here at the campsite and the consensus was that we all felt the same way about this afternoon's hike. I will most definitely avoid this section on future scout trips. As I am so tired and need rest I am cutting this entry short. Suffice it to say, it was a rough second half of the day and I made it to camp hungry, tired and aching. Early to bed tonight. Today's stats: low 50 degrees, high 72. Partly sunny. Today's painful mileage; 18.6. Cumulative mileage: 563.7.
