June 16, 1999 - Front Royal Virginia
Hello,
Greeting from Front Royal Virginia.
Front Royal is at the northern end of the Shenandoah National
Park. It is at mile 944 on the AT.
Next Stop is Harpers Ferry at mile 998. The old unofficial halfway
point of the AT. ( before it got longer ) This is also the Headquarters of
Appalachian Trail Conference.
I did not care for the Park. I never could get in the rhythm of the
shelters/stops. They were always 13 or 20 miles, and you couldn't
stay elsewhere unless you followed a set of rules that were almost
impossible to achieve, such as camping .5 miles from the road. in many
places the park might only be .5 miles wide, with a road running
through the middle of it.
I did manage to "eat my way through the last half of the park" having
3 out of 6 meals being cooked for me in the Parks facilities.
About washing your clothes. Several of the techniques that I have heard of:
Change into your winter clothes in the rest room.
Wear your poncho while your clothes are washing.
Go to the Salvation Army and buy some clothes to wear
In the last few days, I have developed a blister. It is about
the size of a quarter and located between the ball of my foot
and where the toes are attached. I don't have the faintest idea
of why I got it, but I have been ignoring it as a " hot spot" for
the last few days. I have applied the "MoleFoam" and will see what happens.
The only reason that I am concerned is that I am having a new pair of
boots sent to Harpers Ferry, and I would like all existing problems to
go away before I try out the new boots. I will ship the old boots
ahead of me, but it would still mean fifty or sixty miles of hiking in
the new boots before I can switch back. The Vibram sole tread (especially on
the heel) is worn out and quite smooth. I am hoping
these new boots will hast until Maine, where I might need another
replacement. I also feel that the cushioning is wearing out. I replace the
insoles about 4 or 5 hundred miles ago with Superfeet.
About a week ago it was really hot. The temperatures in the nearby cities
were in the high 90's. It was very difficult to hike long distances in those
temperatures.
The Trails in the Park were quite good. THey were well designed and
well built. The elevations changes in the park were mostly in the
500 to 700 foot change level, while just before the park it was
not uncommon for a 3000 foot drop followed by a 3000 foot climb.
The trails that I fear the most are the ones with the "big" rocks. I have a
feeling that the trail crews are staffed by orthopedic Surgeons who need the
business from people hurting themselves.
It is rumored that the highest point in Pennsylvania is 1500 feet, but you
manage to use the top 500 feet over and over. It is also rumored that the
rocks in Pennsylvania are numerous and sharpened by
the trail maintenance crews. You can see that I am not looking forward to
Pennsylvania that much.
About wildlife:
20 or 30 deer
no bears
About the lady in the picture. She is F.A.L. (Fall) "free at last"
Her husband is "Hercules" and we are hiking about the same pace. Although
they are about ten years younger.
Just a note on "trail angels"
There are stories about trail angels, but until recently I have not
experienced them that much.
Coming off the trail at Catawba there was a cooler filled with
pop, desert bars and peanut butter sandwiches. It was refilled
each day by a former thru-hiker who lives in the area.
One night at a shelter we were visited by a couple of former
thru hikers ( Flash and Hot Flash) who brought Pepsi's and
home made cookies .
Just after we polished off the cookies another person showed
up. He was a former section hiker who brought in a half gall
of ice cream.
Later on at one of the road crossings Flash and Hot Flash had
left gallon jugs of water so that hikers could fill up on
a hot day.
Near Troutville I ran into a trail angel who had his own business
card, which said "trail angel". He was taking people to the
post office and into Roanoke to the outfitters.
Well I am heading to the post office myself and then to the Library. I hope
that this message finds all of you in good health. I'm not sure when I will
report again. First spot is too close and the next
area is pretty far away.
I will check my email in about 5 or 6 hours to see if any of you have any
questions.
"Mike on the AT"
"No Rain No Pain No Maine"