Hiking Trail Journals

Appalachian Trail 2003 - Chelsea's Journals

Entry #71 - June 12, 2003

10:05 PM - A pretty good hike today, even with a 3,000 foot descent followed by a 3,000 foot ascent!

Around 2:00, we were still a couple miles from the top of our climb when I heard the weather report. Severe thunderstorms were headed our way from North Carolina - under a warning until 7:00. The skies didn't seem too threatening, but I did want to get over the mtn as fast as possible. Made it to the shelter and still the skies were pretty good. From there it was only about a mile & a half to the Parkway, and from there we'd go on to Rusty's. When we got to the BRP, we were lucky to find a guy there handing out cold water to hikers. Andy asked if it was easy to catch a ride from there & the guy said he was going to be headed out anyway & that he'd drop us off. Lucky! Especially since it started raining as soon as we got in his truck.

Got here to Rusty's around 5. He's an old mountain man with a place here for hikers - his home, actually. No electricity, plumbing or phone. There are gas lanterns, a rainwater shower, a sauna, a wood-heated hot tupe and a bricked-in spring where he keeps things cold. It's a cool old place - keeps it running on donations. There's pop, Little Debbies and to our surprise, we had dinner! Chili dogs - I had 4 & Andy had 5.

Going into Waynesboro tomorrow - 19 miles to Rockfish Gap & hopefully we'll get a ride for the last 4 & a half.

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