First Road Scholars of 2018 on the Appalachian Trail at Bears Den Rocks, Virginia
Middle Maryland and the Rollercoaster, Virginia, April 17 – 18, 2018 — If ridgerunners are the first sign of spring, then the start of Road Scholar hikes is the confirmation. This week we hosted our first group of Scholars on their ‘Hike the AT in Four States’ offering.
Link to program web page: Road Scholar Description
This was a fun group. Several claimed they wanted t shirts to display things like: “I got detention at Road Scholars” or “I flunked out of Road Scholars.” In a couple of cases, I actually believe such shirts might be prophetic.
These folks, being the confirmation of spring, could have fooled all of us. They were miscast. Their first hike in Pennsylvania featured trails turned to torrents six inches deep. Maryland featured spitting snow and ouchy wind chills. Virginia opened cold (note the title photo) but ended as a bright sunny spring day. West Virginia today featured winds gusting to 40 mph.
Somebody ought to tell the prop department to knock it off. Winter’s over, dammit!
A stop at Dahlgren Chapel, Maryland. Link to Dahlgren Info
Reading the historical markers at Fox Gap where a civil war battle occurred.
Recently defaced Confederate marker. This is part of a national trend. Unfortunately, this marker is part of a battlefield, not a city park.
Lunch at Rocky Run Shelter
The trail is rocky and rough. This hiker fell and we put a chemical ice pack on her injury. We later learned that she had two hairline fractures of her wrist.
Beginning of the AT hike in Virginia
Approaching the first river crossing.
One of five stream crossings in Virginia. We feared high water but got lucky. Notice the difference in clothing compared to the previous day.
Lunch at Sam Moore Shelter
Best part of the trip. Joined by Mary Thurman who was my 2015 ridgerunner colleague in Georgia. This year she’s the caretaker at the Blackburn Trail Center. The sign damage was caused by a bear marking its territory.
The intrepid Road Scholar hikers handled the five challenging rollercoaster mountains like pros. Mary Thurman contributed photos to this blog.
Sisu
Winter just won’t give up but we forge onward anyway !
Spring or not, here we come!!!
We were just glad to get out for a walk on our paved trails today! Got a notice recently: “We are sorry but your order of Spring is backordered. We will contact you when it is available.”
I’m a pessimist:-(
Hmmm, wondering just who should get those t-shirts!! Although pretty sure I know! Thanks for leading us on two great days of hiking and for your fiesty pace and patience!
You guys were the best group ever!
Aww thanks! That’s what I was really hoping you’d say! Hope to see you again someday on the trail chasing those white blazes!
PCT next year