Mason-Dixon Trail Longest Day 100K Challenge  June 23, 2007

the first running | June 23 2006 | a report by hunt

Preparation on Friday June 23rd included driving to Shanks Mare, leaving Pauls car and taking Hunts to several strategic water/ aid drops. Attempted drop spots provided more in depth on local residents in the sparsely populated areas near the trail. Coordination with Pete Mclauglin, Phil Nissen , and Stewart Dotts, who all planned to come out at various points and run or help occurred through the day. Last minute plans were made to meet Rick Palmer at 3:45 AM since Rick decided on Thursday to give the challenge a try.

Awakening before 3 am at Paul and Emily’s we scurried to gather final items and drove to meet Rick near Northeast, Md to go together to the Start at Susquahanna park. Arriving at Rock Run before 4:30, it felt humid, but with none of the predicted rain yet, we felt optimistic. With the heavy cloud cover, there was not a hint of light, and after improvising with a key chain LED and a dim flashlight, by 4:45 we had enough light to successfully enter the trail and immediately to a successful first creek crossing.

Blazes in the predawn light on the initial park trail were vague , and had we not become a bit familiar earlier, would have been problematic. By 5 am, getting on the short road section and entering the canal tow path trail, light started to improve. Having 3 of us seemed to work well to start with a steady pace and time passed quickly to the 1st significant hill before crossing Rt 1 at Conowingo before 7 am. For the next section from Conowingo to a short road section at the Boy scout camp, the trail is more hilly primarily single track and includes sections by the river, nearby a horse farm, and a few small and easy to traverse creeks. We alternated blazing trail and being “spider web” advance person. We saw the first of several box turtles on trail at this point – maybe an omen of what we would become later on? Heat and rain had not yet influenced the run for any of us although with growing heat and humidity the 70 oz and a few extra we each brought was barely enough for Paul and Rick but not Hunt, who was dry. Fortunately we spotted a unoccupied cabin with hose that saved the morning. Getting through the Boy Scout camp and our coming to our stashed water, was none too soon, to top off our liquids. From the Boy Scout camp to Peach Bottom Nuclear plant several miles beyond the Md/ Pa border , is macadam and gravel road and with increasing heat we estimated our pace at 15/ min miles, which we still hoped would get us to the mile 23/24 water and aid at Stark Moon kayak store not too far after 10 AM. Wild Turkeys were sighted by Rick and Hunt on this stretch. Peach Bottom trail as it had on our run 3 weeks prior, had a lot of sections requiring careful navigating/ orienteering, and with a final exiting route of nettles, briars and mostly indiscernable trail made for slow progress. Although after the “uncomfortable” rough trail leaving Peach Bottom the final steep gravel road hill before the kayak store aid, did not seem as unending. Arriving at the Kayak store just after 10:30 we found our supplies, changed shoes, socks and clothing and were greeted by friendly owner Brad Nelson.

Shortly after we replenished, the blues duo of Stewart Dotts and Pete Mclauglin arrived in style in Stews vintage blues brothers squad car, after a tour of the cottages below amid probable guffaws of the residents. Having Stew and Pete join in made an enormous difference, and it was most likely only due to their help that we all went on for another 14miles to the next milestone of Rt 372 and lock 12 , where Petes car and more goodies were to help us along the next 15 or so miles to Otter Creek. Rick and Paul maintained pace with Hunt dropping back in the increasing heat on very hilly roads. Ricks help ended at Lock 12 in deference to saving the remainder of his blistering toes for another upcoming event. Paul, obviously very committed to going on left while Hunt considered his fate, and decided ending at otter creek might be only option. With that in mind Hunt left Lock 12 3-4 min after Paul and after 500 yds on MD trail along river decided to take parallel dirt road to hopefully meet Paul before he ascended the next big climb. Getting to the climb within several minutes, Paul was not in sight and was never overtaken, since he had delayed some to adjust equipment and slowed some while Hunt tried to catch up.

The catch up, slow down situation between Hunt and Paul apparently persisted for the entire stretch to Otter Creek, since the next encounter was Hunt seeing what first looked like an the apparition but turned out to be Phil Nissen coming down a hill in torrential rain on road before final woods to Otter Creek. At this point the rain was literally blinding, and with lightening and thunder nearby, getting to less open area seemed to be best, for Hunt and Phil set course to the woods and ravine to Otter Creek, while Paul, apparently somewhat close behind and still expecting Hunt, slowed and smartly delayed some, hoping for the downpours and storm to subside. Meanwhile Phil and Hunt now intent on just ending met up with Pete Mclauglin who like Phil had backtracked to find runners. Phil, Pete and Hunt arrived at Otter Creek campground close to 5 PM thoroughly soaked but doing OK, and just glad to have a reprieve. Expecting Paul shortly, the group waited until Phil smartly made a call to Pauls cellphone and arranged to meet him to help him finish.Paul, Hunt and Pete retreated to the closest Burger King in Columbia for some greasy ones and finished the day with happy stomachs before gathering at Shanks Mare store and the trip home.

Photos from 2006.

Contact:  Hunt Bartine     Paul Melzer 

last updated 4/25/07