5th Anniversary of AT Tag Team Relay Hike
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The 5th Anniversary of the Segment 29 AOL/ATC/Backpacker Tag Team Relay Hike
Backpacking Trip took place during the weekend of September 9-10, 2000. It
was 5 years ago this month that our group got together for this hike and
eventually became the Rag Tag
Rangers.
At right, a group picture at PenMar Overlook, MD, the start This was to be a special hike. Not only because it was our 5th anniversary as a group. But because people from Backpacker Magazine were going to be there to talk to us and we would be the recipients of some trail magic. On Saturday morning, September 9 we all met at Jerry R's house at 8:30am. We were supposed to have 3 new members join us. However, they did not show so we hope to see them next time. The weather was in the mid eighties and slightly humid. We shuttled the cars and got to the northern trailhead at PenMar Park at around 10:00am. We took some pictures, then headed north to the Mason-Dixon line, like we did last time. We took some more pictures and finally got started around 10:30am.
The trail was gentle the first mile or so. Then the climb before High Rock
overlook would remind us of how rough this hike was. But we took our time
and made it. Waiting for us at High Rock were
At left, a newer Mason Dixon Line sign than we stood in original organizers of the Tag Team Relay hike which we participated in 5 years ago. And Chris is the assistant online editor for backpacker.com. They came in the previous evening and camped at Devil's Racecourse Shelter. Andy came down to congradulate us and talk about the original hike. Chris was there to get some information about us for a possible upcoming online and magazine article about us.
We talked for awhile and then Andy and Chris hiked with us to Raven Rock
Road. They then said good bye and left for their car. We then hiked the ups
and downs, crossed MD 77, the big up that we disrespectfully call Mount
Fudrucker, then arrived at the new Ensign Cowall Shelter. We met a senior
At right, a scenic view of High Rock Overlook, MD. Cove, TN, in which he is a partner. A former thru hiker, Sarge told us some great stories about his travels. He also had a dog named Boyd. We invited him to have hamburgers and hot dogs with us when we met Charlie Johnson at the next road crossing. Charlie and Susie were there ready to make us some fantastic hamburgers and hot dogs. We were munching away when the gas grill ran out of gas. No problem.We all treked back to the shelter and cooked the rest of the food over an open fire. 2 more weekend backpackers joined us as well. It was a great meal. Charlie, who broke his foot and couldn't hike with us, and Susie were truly trail angels.
We slept well that night at the new shelter. 2 more hikers ended up tenting
near by. It was less crowded than I expected. The next morning we said good
bye to our new friends and headed across MD17. We did the ups and downs,
negotiated lots of "boulder flow", took a break at Pogo Memorial Campsite,
hiked some more ups and downs over some nice trail, passed Black Rock,
At left, another scenic view of High Rock Overlook, MD.
This was a tough hike. I forgot how tough it was last time. This was definitely tougher than our August, 2000 hike. Anyway, it was great to have all the original members of the group back together for the first time in about 4 years. This hike will always have a special meaning to me. I'm just glad that I won't have to endure it's up's and boulder flow any more! Or maybe until our 10th anniversary. :)
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