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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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6th June 2002 From:
Rod Hollow Shelter Again, today looked like it was going to be humid and hot, so I got on the trail early, my intention being to do abound 20 miles. Shortly after leaving the shelter, I found a brightly coloured box turtle on the trail. I took a photo of him and left him where he was (I took a photo for my web site). Lots of climbs today, as I went through the area known as the "Roller Coaster". I had decided to stop for lunch at a park known as Bear's Den rocks. I saw the signpost pointing to an uphill blue-blazed trail and ended up at the Bear's Den Hostel. Where the rocks were, I don't know! Who should I meet there but 'Real'? He'd been there since yesterday. The hostel is an old quartzite castle built during the 30's and recently turned into a hostel. Well, they had a shower, a laundry, and food, so that was it. I instantly changed plans and booked in. I bought a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream and a Mountain Dew. I had these for lunch, immediately after my daily tuna, which I need for protein. I then did my laundry and had a shower. I felt GREAT! It's 20 miles from here to Harper's Ferry, so 'Real' and I decided to kick off at 5:00 A.M. tomorrow to ensure we get there. The managers here are 'Skipper' and 'Loretta', 2001 AT thru-hikers, who have just recently taken on the role of hostel managers. The hostel is full tonight, as the church youth group has decided to stay here. Most of them got caught in a rainstorm that came through around 5:00 P.M., so they came in rather wet and bedraggled. However, being young, they have had showers and are now in high spirits. One of the young guys from the group named 'Squeaks' has palled-up with me. He lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I gave him a small fridge magnet with a 'Kangaroo Crossing' warning sign on it. His group is out for five days and will finish in Harper's Ferry in two-days time. Squeaks would like to come back and hike the whole AT sometime in the future. A friend, John, wanted information on how we get water. There is always water near a shelter; sometimes it is a spring flowing from the ground into a small rock pool or sometimes a small stream. The flow of water available from these can vary from a dribble to a torrent. Also, streams and springs can sometimes be found between shelters. I took a photo the other day of a hiker hanging his food bag on a bear pole for those trying to figure out what this is all about. This photo will get onto my website sometime in the future. I believe that the trail tomorrow has the last three hills of the "Roller Coaster," then it's smooth sailing into Harper's Ferry. This hostel is really comfortable. I'm now in the lounge area, which is spacious and nicely furnished, more like a luxury lodge than hostel, although where we sleep, is your average bunkroom. I'll close off now and say goodnight all. |
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