Shenandoah National Park
June 5, 1981 - Pinefield Hut to campsite on
Baldface Mountain-
I did 15.5 miles to Baldface Mountain. I camped in
tent. I saw three deer and wild turkey today. I'm very
tired. It is 8:30 p.m. and I’m going to bed.
June 6, 1981 -Camp sight on Baldface
Mountain to Rock Springs Hut
I left wet camp at 7:30 a.m. It rained al1 day. Walked
into Big Meadows facility where I dried all my clothes
and also my tent in drier. I talked to a very pretty girl
ranger and got information about a new P.A.T.C.
(Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) hut four more miles
up the trail. I was glad of this, because it was still
raining. I found out that Ed Garvey had been here in
the morning. I sure wou1d have liked to meet him. He
would to be considered the godfather of the
Appalachian Trail. I made it to camp at 6:30 p.m. I
ate and went to bed. I found out that four through
hikers went home in the last three days because of
the rain and recent murders back in Pearisburg. As
for me, “Katahdin or death”. I’ll not quit till victory is
at hand.
Baldface Mountain-
I did 15.5 miles to Baldface Mountain. I camped in
tent. I saw three deer and wild turkey today. I'm very
tired. It is 8:30 p.m. and I’m going to bed.
June 6, 1981 -Camp sight on Baldface
Mountain to Rock Springs Hut
I left wet camp at 7:30 a.m. It rained al1 day. Walked
into Big Meadows facility where I dried all my clothes
and also my tent in drier. I talked to a very pretty girl
ranger and got information about a new P.A.T.C.
(Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) hut four more miles
up the trail. I was glad of this, because it was still
raining. I found out that Ed Garvey had been here in
the morning. I sure wou1d have liked to meet him. He
would to be considered the godfather of the
Appalachian Trail. I made it to camp at 6:30 p.m. I
ate and went to bed. I found out that four through
hikers went home in the last three days because of
the rain and recent murders back in Pearisburg. As
for me, “Katahdin or death”. I’ll not quit till victory is
at hand.
Pass Mountain Shelter's Beautiful Yard
June 7, l981 - Rock Springs Hut to Pass Mountain Hut-
Did 15 miles to pass. Mountain shelter. Beautiful day and beautifu1 walking. What a combination. I ate breakfast at
the Skyline restaurant and ate an early large supper at Panorama. I had spaghetti with the salad bar, and boy was it
good. John J. and his now famous dog Blue Ridge joined me. I did not fix one meal out of my pack today! A first on
this trip for me. This was a perfect day. Incredible! I got to this shelter and within five minutes after I got here a deer
came through the camp and ate an apple out of my hand. I walked back to the spring, which was a big one. There
was a six inch pipe with water coming out of it. I took a picture of a rabbit three feet away. I am now lying in the sun in
thick lush grass. It doesn’t get any better than this. This place even has ladies and men rest rooms. There isn’t a
cloud in the sky. A 10 plus day. This makes up for the seven straight days of rain that were 2's in my book. There is
no one else here. If any girls come over the hill I am sure I am dead and have gone to heaven, or I am just dreaming.
Don’t wake me up!!
June 8, 198l -Pass Mountain Hut to Gravel Springs Hut-
My Vasque Hiker’s two boots show the first sign of stone fatigue. I will need minor stitching job when I get to Harper’s
Ferry. My Kelty pack zipper went apart on side pocket. I'll get by since it's the last three inches that are bad. I made it
to Gravel Springs Hut. This is the last night in the Shenandoah’s for me. I will go to Mosby Shelter tomorrow. I did
15.9 miles today. Nice day of walking, but my feet were still tired when I got here at 6:30 p.m. The body feels good
though. I could be doing more miles but I need to relax and enjoy this entire wonderful trip. I had Macaroni and
cheese and tuna for supper. (Again) I have Jell-O in the spring cooling.
Did 15 miles to pass. Mountain shelter. Beautiful day and beautifu1 walking. What a combination. I ate breakfast at
the Skyline restaurant and ate an early large supper at Panorama. I had spaghetti with the salad bar, and boy was it
good. John J. and his now famous dog Blue Ridge joined me. I did not fix one meal out of my pack today! A first on
this trip for me. This was a perfect day. Incredible! I got to this shelter and within five minutes after I got here a deer
came through the camp and ate an apple out of my hand. I walked back to the spring, which was a big one. There
was a six inch pipe with water coming out of it. I took a picture of a rabbit three feet away. I am now lying in the sun in
thick lush grass. It doesn’t get any better than this. This place even has ladies and men rest rooms. There isn’t a
cloud in the sky. A 10 plus day. This makes up for the seven straight days of rain that were 2's in my book. There is
no one else here. If any girls come over the hill I am sure I am dead and have gone to heaven, or I am just dreaming.
Don’t wake me up!!
June 8, 198l -Pass Mountain Hut to Gravel Springs Hut-
My Vasque Hiker’s two boots show the first sign of stone fatigue. I will need minor stitching job when I get to Harper’s
Ferry. My Kelty pack zipper went apart on side pocket. I'll get by since it's the last three inches that are bad. I made it
to Gravel Springs Hut. This is the last night in the Shenandoah’s for me. I will go to Mosby Shelter tomorrow. I did
15.9 miles today. Nice day of walking, but my feet were still tired when I got here at 6:30 p.m. The body feels good
though. I could be doing more miles but I need to relax and enjoy this entire wonderful trip. I had Macaroni and
cheese and tuna for supper. (Again) I have Jell-O in the spring cooling.
22