Day 91 – Crampton Gap shelter to Ensign Cowall shelter 

“Snake farm, it just sounds nasty

Snake farm, pretty much is

Snake farm, it’s a reptile house

Snake farm, mmm” – Ray Wylie Hubbard

Today would have been Andrea’s 57th birthday 🙁 I miss her.

Up at 6:00. On trail at 7:10. We have 20 miles to go today.

Took a break just short of Lambs Knoll at 8:40. Nice view looking towards Brunswick, MD.

Unfortunately, my back is hurting already today.

Reached Dahlgren campground at 10:00. Had a second breakfast and used the facilities. Topped off water before departing at 10:30.

Stopped at Washington Monument State Park at 11:45. Snacked and filled up water. Headed out at 12:10.

Crossed over I-70 about 2:45.

Stopped at Annapolis Rocks for water at 3:30. Sent Dana our dinner order from Subway.

About 5 miles left, and we ran into a day hiker on the trail who warned us there was a rattlesnake nearby. The idiot was trying to find it to take a video. Suddenly, I hear what sounds like a SUPER loud cicada very close. Catch some movement out of the corner of my eye, and there it is. A rattler a foot off the trail, about 5 feet long, thick as my arm, and the motion I see is it coiling up as if to strike. Me and Overkill and I carefully slid by as far away as possible and left the idiot that is pissing off this venomous viper to his own ends. That was one angry snake!

I’m having a very bad back day. 

We met Dana at 7:30 at the parking lot .2 miles up the road from Ensign Cowell shelter. I decided to try switching to one of my other packs. It can’t make my back any worse, can it? I’m switching to my Six Moons Design Swift X pack. This is a very different style pack . It uses a vest harness instead of a traditional set of pack straps. This transfers some weight to the chest/core. I also have this pack rigged with a VERY sturdy hip belt suitable for an expedition-style pack. The goal  is to have the super sturdy belt transfer even more load to my hips. That with the chest vest MAY give my back some relief. Or I may totally screw myself up. Since Dana is also meeting us tomorrow afternoon , I can test drive this pack on the trail for about 7 hours before we meet Dana again.

Dana also brought us Subway and sodas and water! Love that girl!

We got settled into the shelter late…8:45. There were already 2 other guys in the shelter, but there is plenty of room. In bed about 10:00.

We have 12 miles to meet Dana and drive into Waynesboro, PA to resupply and get lunch. The plan is to meet at 2:30. Then we have 6 miles to get to Tumbling Run shelter for the night. Our first 6 miles are a bit of a workout but fairly chill after that. I need to finish setting up my new pack in the morning as well as figuring out how to best load it up in a way that helps my back. 

I REALLY hope this new pack helps my back issues. My pack isn’t the sole cause of my issues, but I’m sure it contributes a lot. 

Technical Notes:

• Mini chocolate donuts 560
• Skittles 60
• Trail mix 170
• Skittles 120
• Beef stick 120
• Payday 240
• Trail Mix 200
• Beef stick 240
• Skittles 40
• Beef stick 120
• Trail Mix 300
• Skittles 100
• Dr. Pepper 300
• Subway sub 1500
• Water liters 6
• Miles 20.5
• Time 12
• Elevation gain 3500
• Calories consumed 4500
• Calories burned 7500