Dates ........ FRI APR 23 1999
Miles ........ 12.2 miles
From ........ Tumbling run
To ............. Quarry Gap,shelters (past Caledonia State Park)
Weather ... 70 degrees and RAIN after 9AM

FRI APR 23, 1999

DAILY BREAKFAST: hot oatmeal, hot cocoa with milk & egg protein mix, coffee. Heat water, wash myself, dishes, then my 2nd propane cylinder leaks and I lose 2/3 of my supply. It is a steep climb up to Buzzard Peak and Chimney Rocks at 1946 feet. Sprinkling at the top, visibility is poor, I cannot see more than the hazy shadow of a distant mountain. Rain gear on. Boy, its hot. Getting soaked from sweat - but staying warm, that’s the game. Feet squishing in soaked shoes - but my spirits are very high despite the rain. ROCKY MOUNTAIN is fantastic - massive rocks, many as big as a house, make up the ridge and most of the trail. In many places the rocks are not navigable and the trail routs around them on a side of the ridge. In other places, you squeeze through between or clamber over huge rocks. I found a small dry cave, got inside and had LUNCH, Trail Mix, granola bar, water. My feet hurt.

I descend into Caledonia State Park, use a picnic shelter, to wring out my socks. I have large blisters between the big and next toe on both waterlogged feet. In the heated men’s room with hot water, I sponge bathe and shave then push on, climbing steeply out of the park to Quarry Gap shelter - a pair of fairly new, very nice shelters next to a stream and spring. Four “weekenders” there, one a Baltimore Narcotics detective. I hang all my wet gear and boots to dry in the breeze. Clearing and cooler. Cooked SUPPER ( either mash potatoes & gravy or Lipton noodle or rice w/sauce mix or StoveTop stuffing) I was in my warm, dry cozy sleeping bag by 8 PM, the others sat around and drank whisky until 10 PM.

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