WFO50+ - Continental Divide Trail Journal - 2022

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Morning fog from Little Calf Mountain

Journal Entry

4-25

6.4 miles

766’ gain

1745’ descent

The wind became swirling, strong, gusting and loud on Little Calf Mountain last evening. The tent bellowed and flapped until the wind laid down around 11pm when I fell quickly to sleep. I woke later than normal to another warm morning and sunrise behind the trees as I ate a leisurely breakfast with only 6 miles back to Rockfish Gap and my old truck.

I reveled in how light my pack was with such little food weight and started descending. I saw more of my rabbit friends near the bald moving slowly out of my way as I approached.

The walk was mostly easy and I deserved an easy day after six rather challenging ones.

I met a few nobo hikers and the couple from Fresh Ground’s who just resupplied in Waynesboro for their hike into the SNP. We spoke about yesterday’s heat and told me of a heat stroked hiker who got an ambulance ride from Rockfish Gap. No wonder I was so wiped out yesterday! I thought I was just getting old! I wished the nice couple luck and we went our separate ways.

At the SNP register, I met another nobo who reported another hot day on tap. He alerted me to a freshly dropped off six pack of Yuengling just down the trail. I felt one of the cans and it was cool but, it was only 9:30 am and I had a long drive, besides the nobos later today in the heat would need it more than I.

I crossed the busy I64 signaling a return to reality with all its noise and sense of hurry. My old truck was a welcome sight and even the hard, worn out seat felt plush. I reflected on the week as I drove and felt sad the hike was over but, satisfied in my accomplishment, and respectful of the ruggedness of these mountains that I had dismissed as somewhat inferior to my favorite western mountains. It is so easy to drive by them but, quite another thing to get to know them one step at a time.

Entry 7 of 7
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