2-26-06
Start: Near Scherr, WV
Destination: Streby, WV
Miles: 9.2
Weather: Cccold!
We woke up to a chilly morning, and got confused right away. The American Discovery Trail (ADT) meanders past a mining area, and where you turn looks like the driveway to the mine. In addition to that, before bearing left onto the road, there is a huge sign full of warnings -- hard hats required, blasting area, permission required. So right away we thought for sure that couldn't be the trail. We stopped in at the mine office, and the gentleman there was familiar with the ADT and reassured us that that was the right direction. So on we went. Thankfully there were no "blasts." :)
Snow started to fall, and the wind started blowing. But we were heading down in elevation a bit, so the further we went, the less snow there was. Not too much accumulated -- maybe 1/4". The wind whipping it in our faces is what got us chilled.
We stopped at a convenience store for hot chocolate. They seem pretty rare on the trail around here, so we took advantage of the situation. The locals were very nice. :)
Now, as our miles fell, we were going to end up in Dolly Sodds for the night. We've been warned by locals several times that we DO NOT want to camp up there this time of year. Of course, my first thought is always, "Pfft, I'm tough, I can camp up there." But as time went on, it became clear that we really DID NOT want to camp on Dolly Sodds. The temp is supposed to drop tonight: It's probably 0 degrees at 4,000 feet. And the trees up there only have limbs on one side because wind blows so strong consistently throughout the year. So with the wind chill, it could be dangerous.
So unfortunately we lost some miles today, but tomorrow we should get over that windy mountain. It sounds like a steep climb, but I'm really excited to see it.
Oh, what helped our decision to stay low tonight was a guy who stopped his car to ask us where we were headed. He's an avid hiker/camper, and said we MIGHT be okay if we camped on this side of the mountain. But even that didn't come highly recommended. We asked him where there might be a warm place to stay, and he told us that the old schoolhouse down the road is unlocked. So that's where we headed.
A short time later he came by again and handed us a yellow bag with some goodies in it. He said, "so you don't have to use up your supply so quickly." Inside was 2 packets of Ramen noodles, a bag of tuna, a small can of cocktail wieners, toe warmers, a lighter, and a small Ziploc (TM) of TP! How sweet!
This old schoolhouse is cold, but it blocks the wind - it's really whipping around out there. We just got done with our Ramen & wieners, compliments of nice hiker-guy (sadly we never got his name). Even if it's a bit chilly in here, we can think about what it would be like 3,000 feet higher at Dolly Sodds! Yikes!
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