Day 61 - 31st May - Symms Gap Meadow - Windrock - Campsite

A very long descent from Symms Gap. On the way down we meet Shakin heading up on his slack pack and he says 'help yourself to a soda' but his car is too far off the trail for us to be bothered to make the detour.

We follow a major creek past 'The Captain's House'. The Captain has issued an invitation to all hikers to drop in for a weekend of free food and fun - every young hiker is heading there, so we decide to go on by. There is a zipline across the creek to the Captain's House - tents are everywhere. We do not go in.

Worn Heel catches up to us, and is excited and enthusiastic - he did go into the Captains House and had a wonderful time - he tells us in detail about being fed eggs and bacon, treated like part of the family, and being allowed to use the computer. Hikers are in heaven with food and computer access.

There is a very shitty climbing traverse across a boulder field over 3 miles. We just plug on. We find a good campsite and water. Doc, Jaybird, Hook and Worn Heel stop to camp with us. We are amazed at Jaybird - she does not cook food, only eats cold oatmeal for breakfast and dinner. For lunch she has Gorp - dried fruit and bits and pieces, and that is it. What a horrible diet, but she is travelling very light - no need to carry a stove or fuel.  Another guy who has only been hiking a few days also joins us - Dwayne. We light a fire and have a very social evening.

From left: Worn Heel, Jaybird, Doc and Digby

Dwayne makes us feel uncomfortable - he is on the make, and we find it difficult. Doc is carrying a hammock that he does not really want, and Dwayne is thrilled to take it off his hands. Dwayne is carrying about 70lbs so we know that we will out walk him tomorrow and not see him again. And we don't.