6/27/99 Bear's Den Hostel   Miles Today : 18.7 Miles to Katahdin : 1182.6

What a nice welcome I got from the trail today! I did a meager 19 miles today and it just about killed me!

I left Dick's Den around 8:00 this morning and cruised for the first 9 miles. It started out hot, but the terrain was easy and the trail was lined with blackberries! I scooped as many of these delicious treats as I could.

I got to Red Hollow shelter for lunch where I bumped into Easy Rider, an older guy from the south. We talked for a while under the shelter roof doing our best to stay cool.

For the next 10 miles, it was a roller coaster trail of 6 different peaks with a total of 400+ in elevation gain. Also, the sun came out again and I began to cook! I stopped at the next shelter for a break and a water refill. At this point, I was 3 miles from the shelter, tired and very, very hot. Even on the downhills, I was unable to cool off and I could feel a heat zone all around me.

I stopped 3 times in the next 3 miles, each time lying down on the biggest rock I could find to try to lower my body temperature. Finally I made the climb up to the hostel, by this time at a slow crawl. All told, I drank around 12 liters of water today.

This hostel is a very unique structure. The entire place is built of stone and is set atop a hill. There are no views from here, but it is right near the Bear's Den Rocks, which has a great lookout west. Everyone here is nice and the place is in great condition. A cold shower (then hot) brought my temp down and I cooked a great meal. Still, even now, I feel a bit cooked.

Tomorrow, I am attempting the 20 miles to Harper's Ferry. The temps will be hot but the trail should be easier, but I have said that before.

-Chomp

June 27 addition-

Almost forgot to mention, right in the middle of the worst part of the trail was a trail angel! "Huffer and Puffer", a '98 thru-hiker, was at a road crossing with soda, water and cookies. This was perfect considering the heat and the terrain.

This morning, I managed to scrounge up enough stuff to make an omelet with cheese, salsa, and pepperoni, YUM! Today looks to be another hot one!

-Chomp

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