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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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13th May 2002 From:
Pearisburg
I arrived at the shelter (Rice Field Shelter, pictured) at 12:30 and Corncob turned up about 30 minutes later. I then walked half a mile straight down hill on the blue blaze trail to get water. I discovered here that two of my water containers were coming apart and leaking. I hope they will last out until I get to the outfitters at Troutville. It's 3:30 P.M. and here comes the rain. It was pelting down over the next hour or so. About 10 hikers called by, some stayed a while then moved on, others ended up staying. Full Moon Walking arrived in shorts and tee shirt and was close to hypothermic. He was bundled into his sleeping bag and given a hot drink. An hour later, he was fine. At 7 o'clock the rain stopped but the winds were howling, fortunately from the side and not the front. One brave guy has put his hammock up! The forecast for the next 3-4 days is for fine, cool weather. In the shelter tonight we have: Corncob, Full Moon Walking, Buckeye, Rocket, Tarzan, Paradox, Bald Sparrow, Wild Turkey, Mountain Momma, and Stray Cat. It's sure crowded in here. With that, I say goodnight all. |
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The weather
forecast was for thunderstorms and gale force winds in the afternoon. The
first shelter was 7 miles out and the next at 23.5 miles, so my game plan
was to head for the first shelter and try and beat the rain. It took 2 1/2
hours to climb out of Pearisburg and the rain started about half way,
although it wasn't heavy. I passed Corncob and Just Jim on the way so I
figured if I was passing people I must be getting fitter.