June 4th: Into Damascus for gear upgrades

---

No rain, no wind, and lots of sound sleep as the night passed into morning. I woke
up at 6AM and needed to visit the privy. Once up and out of the tent it is no
good for me to try and return for more sleep. Got the stove, food bag, water bag,
and cook pot ready for breakfast. While heating my water, one of the hikers who
had also risen early was listening to his small radio for a weather forecast. He
said they are predicting more rain for this afternoon, not good. Most of our
stuff is still damp from yesterday’s deluge. Our plan was to walk about 10 miles
to a primitive camp, then do the last five plus miles tomorrow into Damascus for
a ‘nearo’ (near zero) day. Then for Alabama on the 6th. I don't
think CC wants to be wet another night.
Once CC is up we discuss our options. There is a spur trail that is flatter
that the main AT, it cuts off a few miles into town and we could make it there
before too late in the day. We choose the sprint into town. We leave Lost Mtn
Shelter at 9AM and start down the mountain into town.
After a couple of miles we come onto the "Virginia Creeper Trail," a product
of the "Rails to Trails" project. It is a very old railroad bed that has been
converted into a biking and hiking trail. Smooth sailing is the only way to
describe the walk into town.
Just before noon the sun comes out and we start to warm up. It had tried to
rain on us a number of times earlier.
We make town around 2PM. Damascus is billed as "The Most Hiker Friendly" town
on the entire trail. Not very big in size, but big in heart. There are a number
of outfitters here and we will continue our saga of lightening our packs before
heading to Matt's. We are staying at a Methodist Church Hostel, $4 per night,
per person. A real deal on the trail. There are bunks in the old two story
house, indoor toilets that flush, showers, and four walls with a roof that does
not leak! CC and I hit the showers and then off to the outfitters. Both of us
have sleeping bags that are rated at 20 degrees and weigh about three pounds and
change. We picked up two 40 degree bags that weigh just over a pound each. CC picks
out a new pack that actually fits her body size. Her first one was a small and
she is an extra small. Weight savings of two pounds for her. I am looking at a
new pack that will drop three pounds off. They will take my presant one in as a
trade in saving me a bunch of money. We will also send our three man tent home (8lbs 10oz) and pickup a two man one
that will be less than half that weight. CC's pack weight fully loaded with food
and water will be between 25 - 30lbs. Mine will be between 35 - 40lbs. This will
be a 10lb drop for both of us.
Traveling south we have seen different groups of hikers coming north. The
present group is not encouraging. They are mostly 18 - 20 somethings. They are
mostly behind schedule to make Maine before Baxter State Park closes in the
fall. Most smoke and drink too much. They seem to expect things to be given to
them or done for them. They have little respect for those around them or for
places like the hostel where we are staying. They make a mess of things and just
walk away. Things on the "Honor System" are ignored and they just consume
without thinking about who bears the cost of up keep. Seems to me the kind folks
who help the hikers will soon tire of this group and their actions and start
closing these types of hostels and hiker amenities. A great loss to all the
hiking community.
Well enough of that kind of talk. We are in town for the night. The sun has
just gone down and the rain has started. Boy are we glad we came into town!
549.3 miles down, 1/4 of the trail complete, 52 walking days done, over 10 miles
per day average. Time for a week of family.

Patrick, Deborah Mooney aka OD & CC
All Who Wander Are Not Lost

---

Comments

[Sue (Tax Advisor)]

You two are GREAT!
It sounds like you two are having a wonderful trip. Thanks for the great journal entries. Enjoy your week off. I look forward to hearing about more of the trip. Stay safe and have fun.