Day 68: Wet and evil wet rocks

• Reed’s Gap (845.5) to the stealthy site in vaccines in the hump picnic area (851.5)
• 1263 feet rise, 696 feet decrease

Today, we return to Reed’s Gap, eager to walk again. Zero days are pleasant to some extent. Four zeros are frustrating since they generally have to do with undesirable things such as weather; recovery of diseases and injuries; or a refueling error.

Fortunately, ours was related to refueling, no more climate or injuries. We were very tired, so resting was good. But, we had lost two days of hiking between the flood rains and the transfers of the love gap to Waynesboro and back.

Return to Reed’s Gap

Our kind Trail Angel that helped us publish our boxes yesterday led us to Reed’s Gap today. It is voluntary, not a transport conductor. We donate gas money for your future angel activities.

We feel very good to see the gap again. It is curious that Farout calls him Reids Gap, but the signs of the locals and Blue Ridge Parkway call him the Reed gap. There was a subtle underground current to stay with the Reed gap. Stay with that, we did.

In Trail vs. Road, the path was lost

After putting on our kit, we look at a day relatively without events. There was not much gain or loss of altitude. The Paul Wolf shelter, 10.4 miles, was our goal. Chico, we were wrong.

After a half -mile grass start, the path fell to the west side of Blue Ridge Parkway and became unpleasant.

We had heard of how the path of the Apalaches originally had the highway before the cars knew it for Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.

It is true or not, he felt as if the AT had escaped from the crest line, and while criticizing and excavated along the way above, all the rocks were pushed by the side towards the path.

There really was no flat pending on the shoulder to fix a path. The rocks were abundant and with recent, wet rains. A sliding produced one more fall down the mountain slope.

Rock water

There were several water sources in the 3 1/2 miles of slime rocks. The groundwater used confusing rocks to escape.

A couple of hikers passed us early. Later, we listened to voices and wondered if they had stopped for the water.

There was a confusing number of voices. When we reach spring, we discover 14 backpack men extensively aligned along the path. They were talking while waiting for some of their party to filter water. They told us they were enthusiastic.

Spending was a challenge on the wet and rocky path. It was so narrow that people had to lean forward or backward to allow the step without hitting packages in progress.

Beautiful plants

The rocks and location of the path left much to be desired, but the vegetation was lush. He banned in the humid and rocky environment.

Around us there was a massive exhibition. Arborescens Hortensias (Wild or smooth Hortensia). Its intoxicating aroma caused the rock path to join a little better.

We also saw Lillies of Turkish drums (Lilium proud L.). I always notice this with particular interest since when they were children, my sisters and I helped in a conservation effort for the almost extinct flower.

Change of plans

While we headed along the precarious rock miles, it was clear that we would not have time or average to go 10 1/2 miles in this type of path.

A look at the maps did not throw any promising camp at 8 miles. Recent reports indicated an important infestation of the gypsy moth in the area that we could have camped.

We do not fill where the «enthusiasts» were standing, so we decided to walk the additional half mile to the humpback picnic area and obtain water and then determine our home to spend the night.

Changing land

In the afternoon, the path left the shoulder of the crest and moderate in rocks, but added elevation gain. The path amounted to 450 feet in .4 of mile, a gain of 1100 feet per mile. As it was short, we easily reached the highest point.

On the way we were rewarded with spectacular views of the high mountains that we had completed (left in the photo) and the Upcomong Shennandoah (right)

Humpback mountain picnic area

The humpback picnic area was as pleasant as the gossip of the path had suggested. Like many others, we wanted to establish a camp there. However, it went against the regulations.

After a blush and washing and washed in a Singk-Sink race, I used the small bandwidth that I had to verify the non-camping rule. There were no signs, but it was a federal installation to make a picnic.

I found a comment from a place that directed us to return to the path of access to a place that we had seen on the road down. I was back in the National Forest, so the stealthy camp was acceptable.

Some hikers in the section had Hophotch reached the same conclusion.

Establishing camp for night

Each of us found out of the view of the other. Our challenge was to find a place large enough for our 3 people store. Fortunately, the sleeping pads cushioned the locations of the inevitable roots.

After installing the store, I made our dehydrated house «Double P soup» for dinner. After it was sent, we hung our food and went to bed.

Today were only 6 miles of paths, but with the bonus miles, we walk almost 8. Cover that with hard rock hours, we easily headed to Dreamland.

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