Solo - Day 5 - Monday, June 24, 1974 - Antietam Leanto to Birch Run Leantos

19.7 miles - 764.8 cumulative miles

Birch Run Leantos

 The other 2 guys got up and split at 5:30AM.  I stayed in my bag until 7:30.  I just didn't want to get up or do anything.  Had breakfast and left about 8:30.  I really had to push myself to get going.  It got better though as I began climbing a fairly steep hill.  I really enjoy climbing when there's a challenge.

Came across a gang of Boy Scouts.  Really strange bunch.  I rushed on by them and on to Raccoon Run Shelters.  There was a guy there from Virginia hiking south for a month or so.  He was sick this morning so he was sitting it out for a while.  Had lunch there and pushed on past all kinds of Resort Cabins and then a golf course!  Then through Caledonia State Park with all the vacationers frolicking in the swimming pool.  Rushed through that scene and on up a very steep, but satisfying climb.

Came across the 2 guys from last night sitting in the sun.  I sat, too, for about a half hour.  Then I moved on quickly another 8 miles.  I moved fast!!  Passed lots of huge anthills.  A dozen or more of them. 

Ant hill with my 4-5 foot walking stick

It got cloudy and started raining, just as I reached Milesburn Cabin.  It was 2.4 miles to the shelters and I had little hope of finding room there.  I got wet and I got to the shelters about 5:30.  Pretty good time.  Both were unoccupied.  A bunch of Boy Scouts camped nearby. 

Raining again.  A girl who works at the ATC Headquarters is here.  She is on her vacation and getting soaked.  And the 2 guys from last night arrived, too.  Crazy Boy Scouts...