[at-l] Buffingtons checking in.....

[kahley7 <kahley7@ptd.net>]

Gary and Millie (Bearbag and Sweet Pea) called last night!
For any newbees, Gary has been a great Trail supporter, done
first aid seminars at Gatherings and at last year's Ruck.
He also hosts the Sunday morning Blueberry Pancakes and underwrote
the Sunday fee for the Ruck this year.

They are "still having fun".  When they had to leave trail over the 
4th of July, they suffered from the loss of momentum and missed
their trail friends.  But they have met a new crew and are back
in the groove.  Like everyone else, they are suffering from the
mud and the wet although they have been grateful for the cool
hike thru PA and NJ.  They had not been looking forward to the 
type of 90 degrees and no water hiking that PA has hosted for the last
two crop of thrus.  But the rain and wet boots have really torn up
his feet.  He said "The mountains keep getting bigger and my feet
keep getting sorer".  

Ya'll know Bear Bag got the name after his first disasterous attempts
at bagging the food.  With GREAT pride, he has since then bagged
religiously and "perfectly".  Narry a critter dined at their expense.
Till the other nite when a morning retreival revealed a neat little 
hole gnawed by a critter with a taste for PB crackers.  The shelter
register warned of it and further reports from later hikers have
confirmed a very accrobatic squirrel? as the culprit.  Whatever
the critter, he has the trick down pat and will probably dine
well thru the crop of SOBOers.  

Gary and Millie will have access to email in Celsea tomorrow
and would love to hear from folks.  Unfortunately, the email
set up on their website is bolluxed but you can still reach them
via gbuffmd@bigfoot.com

I bet they'd be mighty greatful for any slackpacking anyone 
might be able to offer.  And speakin' of slacking ...
A GEAR REPORT <g>.  

The Camptrail Packable nylon pack that I gave them in PA 
to use while I slacked them is working out just great.  
I have been using one of these
for years and suddenly noticed this spring that I could
actually read thru the nylon cause it had worn sooo thin.
They happned to be on sale for 4 bucks at the time, and while
I had had to restitch a strap or two, I was impressed enough
to order a couple more.  As Gary says.....it weighs nothing
and carrys OK.

To read more about their hike, including the "rattlesnake episode"
checkout http://www.1800wesweat.com/10-0-journal.htm

And stay tuned for a great new hiker friendly spot .....
just have to sdouble check Gary's info and will post later.
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