Backtracking

I was surprised when Ward called Monday morning from Daleville, VA.  He was in Daleville when we spoke last Friday, so we assumed he was well on his way to Buena Vista, VA.  The Spot GPS also showed him hiking toward Buchanan on Friday, so everything seemed to be going according to plan.  However, because of the weather, there were no Spot markings after late Friday, so we had no way of knowing an exact position.

It turns out everything is OK.  He and Matt, and their new friend "Smokestack" stayed in a hostel near Buchanan on Saturday night.  On Sunday they decided to take a zero to wait out the snow storm.  Unfortunately, the hostel did not have room for them on Sunday night, so they hitchhiked back to Daleville to find a place to stay.  They resumed their hike Monday morning from the Buchanan area, so all is well.

Smokestack is the new friend's trail name, presumably assigned because he is a chain smoker.  Smokestack is 30 to 35 years old and from New Jersey.  Ward doesn't know Smokestack's real name but he likes having him hike with them - keeps things interesting.  Ward and Matt do not have trail names to our knowledge, and it doesn't sound as if Ward will seek one for himself (not surprising at all).  I am hopeful that someone else will assign a name to him very soon, as it seems to add to the overall experience.

Ward also mentioned that he ran into the fellow from Connecticut that Beth and I met when we were in Damascus, VA.  They met during the backtrack to Daleville, which implies the fellow is about a day behind Ward.  Ward and Matt left Springer Mountain earlier than most thru-hikers, and as a result they haven't met as many people as they otherwise would have met.  I hope Mr. Connecticut catches up with them soon.  It's a long way to Katahdin and they need new personalities around to keep things interesting.