October 12-15th Zombie left Woodshole Hostel bright and early Monday with another SoBo, Mr. Freeze. And then the rain set in.....Cold, wet, constant rain.... 1:30 on the third day of rain, Andrew arrived at the Chestnut Knob Shelter at lunch time. Mr. Freeze (Chris) , a faster hiker greeted him, declaring "I'm not going any further in this!" There was another SoBo, Trudger (Joseph), who had arrived there the night before. When Trudger woke up that morning to the hard, cold, blowing rain, he had decided he was taking a zero day...in the shelter (hikers NEVER take zero days in a shelter!) When I asked Andrew "who is Trudger?" He said another SoBo we found when we got to Chestnut Knob... he was "hunkered down in the shelter, tighter than a tick on a dog." They had all been soaked for 3 solid days. On a warm day it's no big deal, but the temps had dropped, the wind was constantly blowing hard and cold, so everything in their packs were wet. They knew they needed to get dry. Chestnut Knob was a four sided shelter, with a door, so they thought it best to stay put. Trudger was glad to have other SoBo's join him (thankful they were just a bit older than he was, and that they weren't crazy or weird...)
Ironically, Wed. night of "their short day", I'm reading the chapter in "A Walk in the Woods" where the author discusses "hypothermia". Thursday morning when I checked on the weather at the upcoming shelters, I'm seeing, rain, rain mixed with snow, snow, snow... Thursday - Sunday. I am doing the math, Zombie is 4 days from Damascus, VA where he thinks I've mailed his winter sleeping bag... he only has his summer bag, good to 50 degrees, but the temps are in the 30's at night... going to 2o's before he gets his winter bag. Unknown to Zombie, Mom still had his bag, because I have been planning to surprise him in Damascus for months!!! SO... I sent him a text message asking if "he is in Atkins, Has he seen the weather report through Sunday? Are you warm enough for rain turning to snow? Serious cold snap till Monday. You are three hours away. Love you. :-) Mom" I was relieved when he called me Thursday night. The three hikers stopped just outside of Atkins, split a room, took warm showers and did laundry to dry everything out. Yes, they had heard rumblings about the weather. Trudger's Mom was coming from Elajay, GA to take him to Damascus to wait out the storm for the weekend, swap out his gear then bring him back Monday morning because next week's forecast is ideal hiking weather: mid 50's to mid 30's at night, with a clear, dry forecast. I decided it was better to give up my "Trail Surprise" and get him his gear. I asked Andrew "if I could bring his winter bag and warm clothes to him, would he want me to?" He said, "yes, but his bag was at the Post Office in Damascus." When I fessed up that it was actually in his closet, that I had planned to surprise him and deliver it in person he was delighted!!!
Permission to come see him given, I told Andrew I'd do what I could to get us a place to stay. It was late, but I just said a prayer. Talk about blessings! There were "no vacancies" in the entire town... (Leaf Season along the Virginia Creeper Trail attracts the bicycle riders, plus the AT goes through the center of town, so day hikers abound!!) I knew the guys could stay at the Hostel, but one of the Inn Keepers said, yes, but there is no heat at the Hostel (well, it's $10) However, due to "the crummy weather" Susie at "Montgomery Homestead B & B" had a cancellation for one room for Sat./ Sun. and when she heard the circumstances, that I was bringing in Thru-Hikers due to weather issues, she offered to call Friday morning, and see what she could do. Most of the B&B's have 2 day min. but she said, "we all know each other, and we work together to help the Thru-Hikers, especially in emergencies." Suzie called me at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning... "I've just turned the potatoes over, so I have a few minutes to see if this will work for you: She reports that Suzanne who owns "Hikers Inn" just had a had a cancellation because of the weather, and she has one room with twins but just for Friday night. If you want it, call her right now." You bet I did! When Suzanne realized why I was trying to get lodging for two hikers plus "the mom" on such short notice, she offered if I'd be O.K. putting the boys upstairs and she'd make her "emergency" sleeper sofa in the Sun Porch, off her suite available to me if I'd want to do that. You betcha!!! Talk about two wonderfully sweet ladies! So early Friday morning I was off to see our Mountain guy!
To keep moving, while I was driving, the guys hiked 12 more miles, past two more shelters knowing I would pick them up at Mt. Rodgers Ranger Station at VA 16... AT Mile 1651.3 at 1:30. Mr. Freeze was there, and he said Trudger would be in shortly and Zombie/ Andrew would be just a bit later, as Andrew had gone into Atkins to pick up his mail. I got to meet Trudger about 2ish, and then saw Andrew come out of the woods about 3. I watched him cross the road, go around to the front side of the Ranger Station, where I was standing to get the very best of Andrew hugs!!! He was quite a sight for sore eyes!!!
Bella's Pizza in Abbington was the requested lunch destination, since I had brought Bracken Mt. Bakery treats from Brevard, for "snack" and breakfast. Over lunch (4 p.m.) I discovered Trudger's Mom won't be in Damascus until Saturday... Oh my... so we discussed options, and Trudger didn't mind a Hostel with out heat as long as it was dry. His bag was good to 35 degrees, and he'd be fine. When we got to The Hiker's Inn, it was funny to see the guys didn't understand we were to go into the front door. Usually they go around back to the places that offer them a place to camp, but I assured them, I'd reserved a place in the house. It was cute to watch their reaction realizing they were to go into the house. Suzanne greeted us, and when she saw three hikers, heard my apology for not knowing the circumstances, warmly said, "well, if one of you guys will sleep on the floor, you are welcome to all stay. There is no heat at the hostel and I'd rather know you were warm." Not expecting such kindness, I was really glad I'd picked Susie and Suzanne some treats from Bracken Mt. Bakery and that I had gotten up early with enough time to bake a big pan of Congo Squares (they are like a blonde brownie with chocolate chips) for the hikers and the inn keepers before I left that morning :-)
It was a fun two days, hearing all of the tales, experiencing a bit of the AT - Culture. Meeting other hikers... funny to see how much they can eat at one time, and how soon they can eat again... I enjoyed listening, and being impressed at what they are accomplishing. Damascus has such wonderful folks in the town, with a sincere kindness and hospitality for hikers.
This and That's: What are the chances?
When I first arrived at the Ranger Station, meeting Mr. Freeze, I asked how the day had gone? I was pleased that the rain had eased off, and the trail was quiet. He went on to say, you never know what you might encounter... like today, he'd seen one older hiker in the shelter "standing there in his underwear" his name was Hydro. I told him, humm... I'd read about a hiker named Hydro in a book I'd just read. Later, when Trudger came up, Mr. Freeze asked, Hey, did you see the older guy standing at the shelter in his underwear? Trudger said, Yes, he was at the shelter, but he was dressed and putting his gear together. So when Zombie walked up, he said, sorry I'm a little late, I met up with Hydro on the trail, and talked with him for a little bit. He's doing a section hike, and I asked him if he'd hiked the trail before, and Mom, he's the same guy Hydro, that was in the book "Trail Ways, Path Wise."
For those of you that have read the book "Trail Ways, Path Wise" you'll recognize he's a bit of a legend... Hiked the AT several times, plus many of the other famous trails. Chapter 7 begins with the quote "I like to hike. Hydro GA-ME '93"
Next interesting: What are the chances? While having lunch in Damascus, VA with 3 Thru-Hikers, you see your neighbor who lives across the street of the house you just moved from??? Linda and Bruce's son Jessee had Thru-Hiked in '04. The guys were discussing various experiences they had on the trail, as they each had different start dates. I'd just shared what Linda had told me that Jessie had said about Mt. Washington. and minutes later, 3 hours from home, she walks in the door for lunch. Our Brevard neighbors had taken a spur of the moment weekend trip to Abbington, VA to ride bikes on the Virginia Creeper...
This and That: Andrew just received a sweet graduation gift, money for new shoes just as he was needing a new pair. Thanks Uncle Ed and Aunt Sally!!! The shoes he'd been wearing have gone just under a 1,000 trail miles, and many more than that when you consider the trips into town to resupply, and all over NYC... He likes the Northface Prophecy, - cross trainer tennis style shoes -(plus a green insert he buys separately) for those that are interested. The outfitter was impressed how well the shoes have held up. The other hikers agreed that a cross trainer was much better than a boot for hiking the trail, and they don't like anything that touches their ankles. (They should know...) I asked Andrew if he wanted the shoes to go home, since they still had tread on them... the three said in unison, "Oh, you don't want these shoes in your car... No, it's time to throw them away..."
Andrew did let me replace his walking sticks... I told him if he'd give me the old ones, he could pick out new ones. He declared, new shoes, new sticks, it's an early Christmas! I told him it could be his present, but I'd rather buy what he wanted and buy it now when he needs it for the last home stretch!
For Dr. Isby: Andrew's eyes have been a blessing! He loves having perfect vision. Glad he has his follow up appointment, for you to see for yourself. 8-)
Can you believe I forgot my camera??? You won't get to see the pictures of these three until I get the camera card (and that is after I upload the ones I've had for a month "to do"...)
When I asked Andrew if he had any more Journal pages, he said, "No... sorry..." So I'll do my best to relay what he has shared with me...
You should see Andrew pass through Damascus on Wed. He will not stay overnight since he's had two zero days there...
So, Monday Zombie returns to the trail, 524.8 miles to Springer Mountain. Mr. Freeze's Dad is hiking the last 70 miles, and Zombie's Dad plans to hike the last 30 miles... His brothers will probably climb the 8.8 miles to the top from Amicalola Falls. Mom Harriet will do at least another "trail town mile" in Hot Springs, NC. Andrew thinks he'll be in Hot Springs Nov. 2 and feels confident to be Springer Nov. 16-17th. The weekend before Thanksgiving. As for me hiking Springer Mountain, probably taking Andrew's advise... plan on seeing me riding up the Forest Road, but most definitely walking the last nine tenths of a mile to enjoy the summit with him :-).
Happy Fall,
Mom Harriet
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