This is gonna be short and sweet. I got up at 3am this morning to catch a flight to Detroit, then a two hour layover, then another flight to Washington-Dulles, then an hour long Lyft to the ATC in Harpers Ferry, then an 8 mile hike to the Ed Garvey Shelter, with a side trail to Weverton Cliffs.
I also have had a gnarly cold for a few days, so I am definitely exhausted right now. At first it was scary getting to the trail, then surreal to be actually on it, then exhilarating, then a little physically painful, now intimidating again. I know after a good night of rest I am going to feel optimistic and excited all over again.
At Harpers Ferry I got my picture taken, and hiked the side trail from there to the AT northbound. I stopped at the General Store/outfitter for a fuel canister and Powerade. I chatted with the man behind the counter who thru hiked in 2004, and assured me I am still a couple weeks north of the bubble. I told him I had the bubble hiking experience before, and I want to try something new this hike. More inner self exploratory. Although I am sure they will catch up to me quickly, at least I’ll have somewhat of hiking legs by then, I hope.
I crossed the Potomac Bridge, and followed one of the flattest points on the trail, the C&O Canal Towpath for a few miles. It was easy, and I made quick work of it. Then across some train tracks, and up to Weverton Cliffs.
I had done this hike from Harper’s to the Ed Garvey Shelter before, but it was dark by the time we were getting into the woods, and missed the cliffs. I wanted to see them this time.
There were some nice switchbacks coming up to the cliffs, but the hiking was a little steep, and I began to feel how tired I was from such a long day. It was raining on and off, and extremely humid and sticky in the woods. It actually was helping my cold, though, negating the drying effects of the low humidity in the planes.
The view from the cliffs was worth it, and fortunately the last two miles were quite flat, because I was really dragging. My inner left hip especially is very sore, so I know I need to stretch it out regularly.
I am trying to do a more minimalistic hike for the first month of the trail, and not listen to music or media while hiking, something I saw mentioned on hikefordays.com recently.
It was very gratifying, I was able to notice a ton of wildlife I might not have if I was distracted by music. I saw many cardinals, blue jays, lots of other birds, dozens of turtles, and a few squirrels.
I also gave myself some good pep talks on my way to the shelter. I know I asked a lot of myself today getting up so early, traveling to the trail, feeling under the weather, putting a full day of hiking in. I promised myself I could sleep in tomorrow and hike whatever mileage feels right. Right now I am thinking it will be about nine miles tomorrow, on that break in period, but if it’s less that’s okay. I want to listen to my body on this hike.
The last two miles to the shelter were very flat, and I was grateful for that. Even so, I dragged. I met some nice hikers at the shelter, including Flat Pick, another Flip Flop hiker on his first day. It’s nice to not be the only one.
It’s a little disorienting starting halfway through most everyone else’s hikes, but I’ve learned to focus more on myself than what everyone else is doing. At least, I’ve gotten better at it. That’s a hard lesson to learn and it usually has to be learned multiple times.
I am definitely exhausted and hope I sleep well tonight. I had a good mountain house veggie quinoa dinner and definitely needed the vegetables. I hope I’m ready for this and what is to come next.