Last minute instructions from hike leader, Mary. We're back on the roller coaster today. After hiking about an hour we met a south bound section hiker. He informs us, there is a backpacker in distress ahead. I am the defacto sweep at this point. One of our group has slowed some so we become separated from the other by a short distance. I can't see the two backpackers heading our way but hear, "hey Jim". I peer through the small tree blocking the way and see hiking friend Jay from Greensboro. Jay is the fellow in distress. He hasn't be able to keep any food down for 2 days and is trying to make it to Bear's Den Hostel for a recovery day. I make arrangements to come by there in the evening and bring him whatever he might need.
It again is a hot day with some humidity but it is much easier than the first day of the roller Coaster. Our group comes all together at a beautiful rock outcrop with far views of the Shenandoah Valley.
I see many mushrooms and fungi today, including the Earth Tongues above and Orange Spindles below.
At lunch we stop at some rocks for a longer break. A couple backpackers come along. They are from Siberia and say they have not seen any other Russians on the trail when we ask. It just so happened that one of our group was an 81 year old gal originally from Russia. So they had a nice visit and took several selfies.
Our hike ends at the Blackburn Trail Center, A PATC owned hostel. Again a private home converted to a hostel. PATC had a caretaker in residence who enjoyed our company.
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