Left the Double Spring Shelter as skies were clearing. I think I’m in the “Damascus Flats”, an easier section of trail with long stretches of relatively flatter terrain. In fact, over this stretch, we begin mostly a slow descent into town. The weather is great. Mostly sunny with high near 60.
Some great views today.
I pass Tennessee Walker. He camped by our shelter last night and I’d met him earlier on the trail. He is tall and lean and has a long white beard and scraggly hair. Turns out he is a recently retired airplane pilot. Says until now he had close cropped hair and was clean shaven. Join the crowd, brother. I only pass him because he is taking his time. He is meeting family at the next highway intersection and is ahead of schedule.
Earlier in the hike I encountered mostly younger folks. I think that bubble has moved ahead. I am now seeing a lot of ex military and more fifty to sixty year olds. I presume retired.
My pace is good today. Trail legs or easier terrain? Probably the latter.
I make it to Abington Gap Shelter which had been my planned destination but it’s too early to stop for the day. I needed water so I had to go down a steep and long hill from the shelter to get it. It was a climb back up. If there were reliable water up ahead I would have skipped it.
I end up solo camping about 6 miles outside Damascus. A couple other hikers I am with decide to forge ahead for Damascus. My hike is coming to an end and so I decided to spend one more night with mother nature.
Set up tent, cooked dinner, tied bear bag (Ursack) to tree and settled for the night.
Expecting rain tonight and cold temperatures in mid thirties. Tomorrow morning rain is supposed to taper off.
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