10-30-04 -- Karen sent the following email message to me tonight, the evening before her planned departure tomorrow to resume hiking the A.T.
Hey Wayne - I am at Bills in Washington,DC ( Saturday night ). He just fed me a huge delicious "last meal" ( remember at Amicalola Falls Lodge). He will take me to the trail tomorrow at Harpers Ferry- Sunday, Oct 31. I look forward to the first 2.8 only flat trail - the C&O canal tow path. I will hike alone for 7 days and then Bill will join me for 5 days. Then another stretch alone. It is warm here now - yeah - and there are still some lingering fall colors, so it should be really pretty tomorrow. I am having the last minute usual jitters. I am going to be really ALONE this time - can I do it? I'll call when I can. Love you ,Karen
Keep Karen... uh, I mean Scarf... in your prayers as she continues her adventure.

10-31-04 --  Bill “Cookerhiker” sent this report describing Karen’s departure today.
Hi Wayne!  Karen began her hike at 7:40 EDT this morning in very good spirits, undoubtedly prompted by the beautiful unseasonably warm weather and the myriad of fall foliage still on the trees.  I had told her several weeks ago that she'd still experience a week of fall colors but she was surprised since all the leaves at home have apparently already fallen and/or turned brown.  I left her after we had ascended Weverton Cliffs for a splendid view of the Potomac.  See my http://www.trailjournals.com/cookerhiker October 31 entry for photos and a write-up.  I'm sure she'll be fine - both her spirits and confidence are up and she did well on the ascent despite bearing her 40+ pound pack for the first time in 5 months.  I'm joining her next Saturday in Boiling Springs and will hike with her for a week.  Regards,  Bill "Cookerhiker"

11-3-04 -- Here’s a message from Bill Cookerhiker:
“Today I surprised Karen with a little Trail Magic in Southern PA.  I drove to where the Trail first crosses PA Rt 233 (it also crosses further north at Pine Grove Furnace) south of Caledonia State Park, walked about 45 minutes south, and met Karen trekking her way north.  We walked together to my car, then I shared some hot tea (in a china cup), fresh fruit, and homemade cranberry bread.  She's doing well!!  She hadn't called yet because none of the phones she encountered were in working order.  She hopes to phone today from Caledonia. Here are two pictures.”
Thanks, Bill, for surprising Karen and sending us a report with pictures.  Check out the two pictures on the Photo page.

11-3-04 -- (Listen to Karen) Karen called to say she is doing well.  The weather has been great and the fall colors are beautiful.  The first two nights she spent alone in the shelter - quite a contrast to the many hiking buddies packing the shelters each night back in the spring.  Last night, however, there were two Sobo’s (southbounders) staying at her shelter.  They could not believe she was traveling north this time of year.  She crossed into Pennsylvania yesterday.  Other than the occasional Sobo, there is no one on the trail.  She’s getting a taste of solitude and combats her fears in the shelter alone at night by remembering a saying she once heard, “Courage is fear that said it’s prayers.”  She has traveled 61 miles since her return to the trail 4 days ago.  Her body is holding out well so far in spite of her 44 pound pack.  She said the surprise trail magic from Bill Cookerhiker was a real treat today.  She regretted having so little time to visit with him, but had to get on up the trail to make the next shelter.

11-4-04 -- Karen called this evening, day 5, from Iron Masters Hostel in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania.  This hostel is considered the half way point of the A.T., 1087 miles to either the north or south terminus of the trail.  Her four days of great weather came to an abrupt end today with 40 degree temperatures, windy conditions, and rain all day.  Today’s 18 mile hike, the longest yet, was miserable due to the weather, quite a contrast to the first four days.  She met only three other hikers all day, again Sobo’s who could not believe she was heading north.  She has not seen any bears, only deer and squirrel.  She hopes to dry out some tonight at the hostel and recover from the cold, windy day.  She said she will probably skip the traditional hiker  celebration normally observed at this half way point - that is, to eat a half gallon of ice cream.  Good decision.  She is looking forward to being joined by Cookerhiker on Saturday.  Together, they will then enjoy the relatively flat Cumberland Valley farmland section, only to be followed by the dreaded “rock” section of Pennsylvania - some of the roughest terrain on the A.T.  Karen is praying for good weather which she says, for her, is the single most important factor that can make the journey either enjoyable, or miserable.  Now, I’ll think of that every time my gas furnace comes on.

11-7-04 -- Karen called today to say that Bill Cookerhiker joined her as planned yesterday.  The weather has not been pleasant.  Daytime temperatures are 40-50 and nights are 20-30.  Lots of rain.  She has two small blisters.  She said the evenings and mornings are especially cold when trying to get into or out of her sleeping bag.  Monday they expect to cross the Susquehanna River, then reach the next town, Port Clinton, by next weekend.  There, Northern Harrier (another hiking friend who completed the A.T. this year) plans to meet them for a short reunion.  Then, Karen said she will have to decide whether to continue hiking alone for one more week or hang it up for the season.  I suppose the weather will have a lot to do with that decision.

11-8-04 -- Karen called today at 10:20 a.m. from a local diner in Duncannon, PA.  Her and Cooker took advantage of the nearby town to stop and have a hot breakfast.  She said the people were very friendly but amazed that they were on the trail this time of year.  The weather continues to be cold, 40’s in the day, 20’s at night.  The shelter last night had a sign warning of porcupines in the area.  (I guess that’s better than bears... maybe.)  She said the terrain is getting increasingly rocky with the worst section still ahead of them.  An additional problem is that the rocks are covered with leaves, masking their exact shape and making each step one of faith.  She has already experienced a few minor ankle sprains.  There are no more towns or opportunities to call until they reach Port Clinton on Friday and meet up with their friend Harrier who plans to bring the next week’s weather forecast.  This will help Karen decide whether or not to continue by herself.  She said the scenery has been beautiful, especially this morning before they descended the mountain into Duncannon.  From the ridge top, they could see the vast valley below them, cradling the Susquehanna River.  A “beautiful sight”, she said.  Scarf is in her element.

11-12-04 -- Karen is OFF the Trail.   She called today about 3 p.m. to say her and Bill CookerHiker had arrived at Port Clinton, PA, today and she has decided to hang it up for this year.  Next week’s forecast predicts no rain, but cold temperatures - in the 20’s.  That probably means in the teens up in the mountains.  She considered continuing, but decided it was just too risky to hike alone in those temperatures and rocky terrain (a decision greatly encouraged by Cooker and me!)  Northern Harrier was unable to meet them this weekend, so they will now have to get a ride back to Cooker’s vehicle at Boiling Springs.  Although she was hoping to reach the New Jersey state line this trip, Karen says she is satisfied to break below the 1000 miles remaining point - that can be her significant milestone.  She said they have been quite cold this week and have seen no other hikers on the trail.  (That should tell you something!)  Her spirits are up and she seems glad to have had this fall hike experience in spite of the unpleasant weather.  She plans to enjoy a few more days in the area sightseeing (using her car) before heading home.  Hopefully, we will have some photos to post soon, so.... stay tuned!