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3/99 Shawnee State Forest "Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah." Ps 55:7 Day 1 Doing the north loop of the Shawnee Trail and what a day! Not a cloud in the sky and it was up to 60 degrees. It's gonna be kind of hard for this day to get better. I was sure to get batteries for the Zipp Stove and the radio. The hike was not too awful and the temperatures were perfect for hiking. I met one guy who was out for his first backpacking trip. Nice guy. I got to the side trail for the first camp about 3 PM and didn't load up on water before going up the 200' climb to camp because I figured I'd just get it later. Now I wish I would have loaded up because the climb to camp #3 is stiff! I decided to do the north loop counter clockwise so I have less miles to do the first day. I did 4 1/2 in 3 hours [Not too bad for Shawnee!]. Sitting around camp listening to the radio. All is well in the world of Nigal. Day 2 Up at 5:30 AM this morning. A guy came into camp last night right at dark. He was from Indianapolis and was doing the south loop. He was a nice guy and looked like a walking REI store. He had all high-end gear and a lot of it. I got on the trail about 7:30 AM and this trail just gets harder and harder. Just at point G is a hill that nearly made me puke my testicals up! One of the worst hills I've ever done. This trail is so up and down it ain't even funny. By the time I got to point F I was hungry and burnt out. I had Co-Co Wheats for lunch. I need to bring more food next time. At point F I took the forest road instead of the trail. It was a nice walk and a lot better than dealing with the PUDS [Pointless Ups and Downs]. By the time I got to Camp #1 I was so tired and hungry! The first thing I did was eat all the rest of my food except for my Carnation Instant breakfasts for the next morning. I would kill for some of Kelly's 'monster cookies'! I hope it's warmer tonight than last night. It got down to 22 degrees last night. I was cold. Tonight I'm battening down the hatches. Day 3 Last night I kept hearing things off in the distance. I thought they were Barred Owls but it turned out to be a search party looking for a missing boy scout. the scout turned up missing the day before and they were running trucks up and down the forest roads running the sirens to get the boy to come to the road. I told the searchers that I would keep my ears and eyes open for the missing scout. I never heard weather they found the boy or not. I hope so. Today I have that kind of mindless trail focus that I commonly get on the hike out on Sunday. I just put the peddle down and go. There's Taco Bell and a hot shower waiting! The PUDS here are maddening! I don't mind some hills any more than the next guy but when they run the trail right up and over a 400' hill instead of running it 200' to the side where it would go up a beautiful hollow and there is no up-chuck-yer-nuts climb...it's just poor trail planning. At least make some damn switchbacks! I have sworn death and pain on the group who made this trail. Total Miles: 20+- |
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