Quick update before launching into today’s topic: I just left the Quality Inn in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, after much-needed R&R. I just broke the 1,000-mile barrier and finally left Virginia, the trail’s largest state, then West Virginia. Now in the border state of Maryland. Just a short time longer and I’ll be bagging the halfway milestone in southern Pennsylvania.
But things are not so rosy in Omoo land. Two days ago I considered going home. The last stretch was very taxing: a particularly rough section known as “The Rollercoaster”; unbelievable heat and humidity; bugs, including a prevalence of ticks (one hiker I met yesterday at breakfast had to quit after contracting Lyme Disease); rocks at practically every step; and most significantly, weight loss. I’m now down to 135 pounds. I decided if my weight starts hovering around 130, I’m throwing in the towel. Wish me luck, as I truly want to do this hike in one take.
Anyway, here’s a continuation of profiles of those in the hiker community whom I’ve met. Round two:
Rabbit: trail name of a former thru-hiker who runs the last hostel in Tennessee before the Virginia state line. Rabbit always goes barefoot, has a pet terrier that would intimidate a grizzly, and seems a little scatterbrained (he alluded to some LSD dropping during his younger days). But he’s a really nice guy. Originally from New York, Rabbit became so enamored of the trail after his southbound 2016 thru-hike that he decided to open his own hostel. While the bunkroom is clean and comfortable, Rabbit Hole’s specialties are delicious homemade milkshakes and morning eggs (“They’re farm fresh!” Rabbit explained to me, while I plucked a tick from his bare back.)
Quarters: I met Quarters after Trail Mix (a thru…or at least she was a thru) and I stumbled onto Overmountain Shelter at Yellow Mountain Gap, which Revolutionary War volunteers had once marched through. An avid section hiker from Spartanburg, South Carolina (he knew several members of the Southern-rock group The Marshall Tucker Band), he was surrounded by overnighters (including a young family) and was stoking a large campfire. “I’m getting burgers and beer for later,” he said. Needless to say, Trail Mix and I beamed with delight at the prospect of fresh food and alcohol. Though a little chilly, we all had a great time that night, telling stories, eating, drinking (and some toking). The next day, Quarters surprised me eight miles later at the next road crossing and shuttled me to Mountain Harbour Hostel for snack food. I think Trail Mix may have still been sleeping.
Chicago: we hiked together sporadically through North Carolina and Virginia. I left Chicago behind in Atkins, Virginia when he did an overnight, but another hiker said he wafted through Harpers Ferry earlier today, so I anticipate seeing him again up the trail. Chicago’s a regular guy. Unlike most younger thrus, he has no affectations like tattoos or facial jewelry…in fact, he’s used his real name for most of his hike. He’s out here, like many of us, due to a dead-end job. My favorite anecdote of his relates to his mother: while marking his progress on a large wall map, she informed him over the phone that he was only a few inches above the bottom of the map and had several feet to go to reach Maine.
Geo and Jeff and Crew: I met these folks at the trailhead above Buena Vista, Virginia. Geo was doing a 300-mile stretch, and her husband Jeff was meeting her at road crossings and sharing “trail magic” with other hikers. Accompanying Geo were Radar, Jive Turkey, AKA, Research, and Karma. Karma is older and closer to my pace, but the others are young and very fast. Initially I questioned their judgment and maturity. (I tend to have “reservations” regarding millenials, having had some negative experiences.) But these folks proved first impressions are deceptive. Similar to the Black Mountain Gang (see Chapter 1), they’re not only bright and curious, they’re also friendly and unafraid to engage with curmudgeons like me. And without Jeff’s pizza, sub sandwich, Gatorade and fruit on one of the most beastly hot days yet, I’d have melted into Tye River Gap, never to emerge again.
Catnapper: I met him down a dirt road from Standing Bear Hostel. I was tenting next to a stream, and he was nearby, reading in a collapsible chair next to his car. From Albuquerque, Catnapper is a grandfather and retired physics professor who lived, taught, and volunteered in post-Berlin Wall Russia and who has hiked the A.T. twice. He now drifts between trailheads, talking to hikers and bagging various side trails that pique his interest. The night we met, he brought some trail food to my tent, and we talked long into the night. Through Catnapper I learned just how horrifying Russia treated its own children. When ideology supersedes compassion, anything can happen. The U.S. is no exception.
Bruiser: Bruiser is the oldest thru-hiker I’ve yet met, at age 74. He’s from Honolulu, and like Catnapper, has thru-hiked the A.T. twice. Why vacate Hawaii for five months of masochism? Bruiser does it, so he says, to stay in shape! A couple hikers dislike him for being a know-it-all, but I find him generous and helpful. When the hip belt threads on my Gregory Contour 65 pack broke, Bruiser let me use his curved sewing needle and dental floss for a temporary repair. Though my amateur sewing job only lasted a half-day, Bruiser advised me on contacting Gregory, the result being I now have a brand-new Baltoro 65, the company’s top pack. Bruiser might be outwardly gruff, but I sense a soft side to him. At one of the shelters we shared, I noticed him reading a biography of Frederick Douglass. And when I asked if he had family, he said his wife died several years ago. “I miss her very, very much.”
– Omoo
longitudes 
Peter: GREAT commentary about your mobile community of friends. This is an epic tale which we look forward to reading as the trail unfolds, or untangles before you. You are in the middle of a heavy wave of precipitation which has ravaged much of the northeast for the last week. It should wind down soon. Mean time, out west there is no precipitation. Drought and fires. You have chosen wisely. You have lost weight. I hope good sense tells you to take more breaks along the trail for some lasting food groups. Don’t want you to throw in the towel, but then again, we need you to be safe and sound. Attaboy!
Thanks Phil. I’m trying to balance my daily mileage goals with common sense. In May I hiked and sheltered with a guy who later died in his tent. He’s in my mind as I hike. Need to be productive, but cautious, too.
Fascinating, Pete, and it looks like quite a bit of partying is going on! I hope you are able to complete the hike. However, I can attest that this is a bad year for ticks, since I live in a hilly forest near the southernmost end of those mountains. The hubs and I have both had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the past; he had some bad effects, I didn’t, and neither of us knew until years later that we’d actually had that disease. The hubs says to tell you he uses “Insect Shield” clothing, especially socks, it’s lifetime treated with pyrethrin and available on Amazon.
Hi Leah, actually I just treated my gear and clothes with Permethrin yesterday! I hate insecticide, but figure I’d prefer the extremely slim chance of carcinogen side effects to contracting a tick-borne disease. Be careful down there in ‘Bama!
Pete, let me know if you need any emergency provisions. I’m here in Pittsburgh until Wed 7/21 and can run out your way if you’re in a pinch, but I’m going to Mid Ohio racetrack (near Mansfield) on the bike early Thurs 7/22 to Sun 7/25. Back in Pittsburgh after that. Cell (412) 417-1057. Stay well old friend.
So nice of you, ole pal. Would love to see you in PA. I’ll study distance and time tonight. Maybe we can hook up before 7/21 around Harrisburg-Carlisle (straight highway for you, I think). But please don’t feel obligated…Mid-Ohio takes priority! (Mansfield’s always pulling me back, for some odd reason.)
Sorry you’re been through a rough stretch, Pete. If the photo of Harper’s Ferry is any indication, it looks as though things might ga a little easier for awhile. Keep trying to bulk up!
Will do, Robert, thanks.
Come home! Your yard needs you🤣🤣🤣 Your wife definitely is not good at that!
Ha! Take a yardwork class!
135 lbs?. Take care fella.