[at-l] 2 days hiking section 6C of HATT

[FLATers@webtv.net]

Well, here is our trip report.......

We met Sandpiper and Tom at 11:00 at Wolfsville Rd to join them for the
remaining 10 miles of section 6C in Maryland. We figured that 2, 5 mile
days should be "do-able". We were  unsure of our participating, because
FurTrappers Chronic Lyme Disease had been "kickin his ass-ets" for about
2 weeks , but he started feeling better on Thursday, so we decided to
"go 4 it"!

We all bonded quickly together sharing bits and pieces of info about
ourselves, etc. We found out right away that the sweet sandpiper is a
power hiker......but waited at different planned locations for us to
check on our progress. So much kindness shown to strangers. I love the
hiking commnity! About 3 1/2 miles into our hike
and filtering water from a nice stream, 2 young folks appeared in long
pants, cotton t-shirts, sneakers, and a school-type backpack. They were
planning to hike all the way to i70 foot bridge by nightfall. Tom
quickly shared with them the impossibility of that plan, and offered
other alterntives. Tom and Sandpiper filtered some water for them to
fill their 2 small water bottles in their pack. It was sad, but thats
about all that was in that pack too. I don't know if they were runaways,
but I hope that they took Tom's advice. I worry about kids out there
unprepared.

Anyway, we hiked on and found the last ascent before Devil's Racecourse
was a kick-butt pain in the wazoo clib. Yo see, I had found out since
the beginning, that eating breakfast at my Dads before hiking was
foolish. But how could ya turn down sausage gravy ? It revisited me
often during the day leaving me felling sorta "sour-bellied".
So....sitting down on a rock to rest a few.....i either fell asleep or
passed-out (at this point I don't know that there was a difference), but
it actually gave me a bit of a burst of energy enough to trudge up those
rocks. I couldn't belive that Fur was doing so much better than
me......but he hadn't eaten at my Dads. It seemed forever that we had
come without spotting the shelter sign, and we wondered if we had missed
it. We decided that stealth camping might be in order if thats what
happened, 'cause there was NO WAY we were going back down there. But a
few minutes later, we found a note tied to a fallen tree from Sandpiper
and Tom, telling us to turn right thru the fallen tree that was covering
the sign. Its great to have them looking out for us. 

Now, the real disappointment was taking an endlessly steep downhill to
get to the shelter. Let me tell ya.....it wasn't worth the effort at
all! We had been on top, in nice quiet woods, and went WAY down to a
shelter very close to a road, complete with revving engines all night.
If I could make a suggestion to those traveling this section, I would
recommmend staying at the camping area up on top before the huge
downhill.  Even if you need water, you can drop your gear and climb down
to the stream with your bottles and stuff. 

We spent a very nice evening together, and a restful night. But guess
what we faced early in the mornng first thing? That steep down was now a
steep up! Fur was not feeling too well, and had to stop alot. He battled
stiff joints and dizzyness, and I could tell that it was very difficult
for him to keep going. At our next meeting point....we told Sandpiper
and Tom not to wait on us, as we were traveling slowly at that point,
and knew that they needed to be at PenMar by noon. We went ahead and got
a group picture thanx to Sandpipers timer button on her camera. Gosh we
hope it turns out.....we enjoyed their company VERY MUCH!

Ok.....back on the trail....We had NO IDEA what awaited us ahead. High
Rock. OMG ! The trail goes over those huge rocks?  Fur reminded me (as
he always does) to "take" the trail, not try to "make" the trail. Ok
then......I'll do it! Shortly after I began, I came dangerously close to
getting a broken leg. I had gotten my foot wedged between 2 rocks, fell
backwards, and my pack shifted, really wanting me to go down the hill.
Thank goodness I got balanced in the nick of time! What a scare!
Needless to say....I had a new respect for those rocks! And a very
colorful hip to prove it!  We kept going, and we were nearly out of
water, as no source existed between Devils Racecourse and Pen Mar. We
were so proud of what we had accomplished. A physically challenged man,
and a very rookie woman....and we conqured it, darn it!  

We arrived at PenMar about 12:30, and looked for our companions, but was
unable to find them. So sad we didnt get to say goodbye, but thank
goodness for e-mail! Our ride was there to pick us up, so back to
Wolfsville Road, and the pick-up truck to journey home. One more stop
first though.....KFC! 

Sitting here now....showered and kickin back remembering those 10 miles.
We are better hikers each trip we make. Nature and new friends have
taught us so very much! 

Thanx to Sandpiper and Tom, and to Pittsburgh, and Kahley for all the
effort made for HATT. I hope others were blessed by the trail this
weekend like we were.

Respectfully,
Landslides & FurTrappers
 

http://www.geocities.com/furtrappers/at-home.html

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