The Sisyphus Comments

Finally – Just Doing It! – Day 4

I was up at 0645 hours but some of my shelter mates were already long gone by that time. I have never been able to take off in the morning without eating breakfast first, preferably a hot breakfast. I would be in a fog for half the day if I didn’t have my morning coffee. These guys roll out of the sack eat a couple of handfuls of Grapenuts, wash it down with a liter of water and head up the trail for a 20 or 30 mile day. It just amazes me, although I have noticed that the older thru hikers are in less of a rush to get up the trail in the morning.

This is my last day on the trail, if you want to call a 3.7 mile hike out a “day on the trail.” I left the shelter at 0730 hours and spent the first hour climbing about 1000 feet to the top of Fork Mountain then it was down hill all the way to Jennings Creek where I met my son for the ride home. For some reason he wanted to keep the windows rolled down and the sunroof open – go figure.

So what was the damage on this 50 year old body. I actually faired pretty well although my calves were a little sensitive the next day. The mosquito bites seemed to pop out all over the place on my arms and legs the next day but that was par for the course. Other than that, the only thing I needed was a lot of soap and water . . . and a strong cup of Mill Mountain coffee.

I hope you have enjoyed this little peek into life on the Appalachian Trail, which I believe is one of our true national treasures. Of course, you don’t have to hoist a backpack to enjoy the AT. Just putting on a pair of walking or running shoes and following the white blazes for a day hike is a lot of fun. For more information contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy which is headquartered in Harpers Ferry, WV.