Friday, September 12, 2003- As I was driving to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA from northern Virginia after work I kept my eye on the edge of the rain storm. I could see it off in the distance. I kept driving towards it and it would keep a step ahead of me. I finally got ahead of it as I neared the park. When I arrived at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park Group camp site, Charlie J was at his truck. We talked for awhile to catch up on things. Then I went to set up my tent before darkness and the rains caught up to me. Charlie helped me by shining his flashlight so that I could put up my tent, then lent me some extra tent pegs when I couldn't find mine.

The others were out taking a walk. When they returned, some us us ate a meal and some of us lit a fire. I was amazed that we were able to start a fire with the light mist and so much wet wood. But Frank M has always been very good at getting the fires going. He prevailed again this time.

We had a new hiker join us this time. Joe, who works with Frank, had done alot of hiking and backpacking. He would prove to be one of the faster hikers on this trip. Joe put a can of Chunky Sirloin Soup in the fire to heat it up. He didn't vent it well enough. At one point we heard an explosion eminating from the fire. It then rained down very small drops of Chunky Sirloin soup all over us. Joe then had to resort to a backup can of Spaghettio's, which he vented more and successfully cooked in the fire.

We retired around 11PM. It started raining shortly thereafter and continued for most of the night.

Saturday, September 13, 2003- When we woke up the rain had temporarily subsided. We took advantage of that to eat breakfast and pack up. We noticed a blue tent behind our group but didn't know whose it was. Then out of nowhere comes Doug K, the Rag Tag Ranger from MN. He, two of his nephews Michael and Alex and friend Robert were coming along as well. They were the ones in the tent! It was shaping up to be a great trip.

While we were in the process of shuttling the cars, Tom S showed up. This would round out our total crew of 11, a very good turnout! So we got started around 10AM. A little later than I had wanted to but an OK time. The first few miles were a steady up. We went from about 400 feet to about 2,000 feet in the first 5 miles. During this time the rain would get very heavy, then light, then stop, then start this process all over again. Needless to say we got soaked. But we stayed the course and eventually hiked 9.6 miles to the Birch Run Shelters. But a surprise awaited us when we got there.

The PATC had built a wonderful new shelter where 2 former Birch Run Shelters, which were built in the 1930's, had once stood. It was a beautiful shelter. It slept 8, had a front porch for eating and cooking as well as a nice, shiny sealant on the shelter floor. The majority of PATC's club officers, trail and shelter overseers were there when we arrived for a dedication ceremony for this new shelter. But best of all, they brought food! There were 2 southbound thru-hikers there when we arrived: Monkey Brains and B.S. They were going to push onto the next shelter but stayed to get some trail magic. Another southbound thru-hiker, Crusty, came in shortly and stayed with us for the night. We proceeded to help ourselves to all of this food. When the ceremony was over, the PATC group went home. We were then able to make ourselves home and start cooking dinner. We were very glad to be in this nice, new and dry shelter for the evening.

Sunday, September 14, 2003- Today started out just like yesterday. It let up raining just enough so that we could get packed up and on the trail. Then it dumped again. We started around 8ish. We had 10.1 miles to do today. The terain was not all that bad. We had occasional ups but the majority of the trail was level or downhill. Nothing of any significance happened on this stretch. It was just a nice stretch of trail. There were again periods of heavy rain, periods of mist and then no rain. It stopped raining around 3PM.

We finished the hike just south of Caledonia State Park around 3:30. By the time we shuttled the cars back it was 4:40. We then had a nice smorgesboard again at Ryans in Chambersburg, PA. Then we headed for home.

This was a good hike, even though the weather was not good. We are now 40 miles into PA, have about 55 miles to the Susquehanna River and then about 150 miles to complete hiking the AT in PA.

Mike C

Group picture after the hike.
By Charlie Johnson

Frank M and John G at Shelter.
By Charlie Johnson

Mick getting ready to move out.
By Charlie Johnson

PATC Officers at Birch Run Shelter.
By Charlie Johnson

Bill I in bunk at shelter.
By Charlie Johnson

Joe at Birch Run Shelter.
By Charlie Johnson

Tentsite at Pine Grove SP.
By Mike Calabrese

At the start of the hike.
By Mike Calabrese

Mike and John at Quarry Gap.
By Mike Calabrese