Bad Decisions – AT Thru Hike by Fox – Day 64

The short four-mile exit to Harpers Ferry brought me to Bolivar Bread Bakery. At first I ordered coffee. I sent a photo of the bread to the other foxes asking them if I should buy bread. The responses were “How is this a question?” and “Breads, plural.” So, I also packed a loaf of sourdough bagel and six maple cookies.

Arriving at ATC just as they opened, I was able to take a photo and use the room while sending postcards. During this, a new section hiker arrived and the ATC buddy asked me to help them. I try to avoid giving unsolicited advice, but it was fun to do a requested «shake.» We took out about 5+ pounds and I helped them repack.

After finishing at ATC I walked around the historic area until I found a store with sports caps to replace one I lost. Harpers Ferry is beautiful and fascinating; It is worth returning for a visit. The bridge and old towpath leading out of town provided a long, flat, fast walk…in the rain. For once I’d like to have a 30% chance of something other than rain. The trail climbed a bit to see the Weverton Cliffs and then ran pretty much flat again past White Rock Cliff.

Then the bad decisions began. I haven’t really liked powdered milk. But I didn’t want to waste it, so I thought I’d drink the rest. The Dahlgren Backpack campground had running water. I could stop there, but it was before 5. Pine Knob was only six miles away. I forgot about milk and heat.

Whether I had stopped drinking the milk or not, I probably would have been fine. But I did both. Milk was curdling in my stomach and I spent the first four kilometers replacing calories. The last two miles I kept the water under control, but walked slowly. At the last light, I stumbled onto Pine Knob and lay back on nothing while sipping electrolytes more slowly.

• Breakfast: cereals
• Dinner: none, sick
• Snacks: Fig bars x2, 4x maple cookies, sourdough bread
• Bonus: bun, ice cream
• Days without a ramen bomb: 64
• Today I give thanks for: Delicious bread

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