Even with the shortcuts, this was a lot of miles. I did have a terrific day with blue skies and a nice breeze. High UV was the only real problem. The very high elevations [...]]]> 28-April-2009
Hurricane Mtn Shelter to Lost Mtn Shelter
28.2 AT Miles
20.1 Miles Hiked on the AT and on blue blazed shortcuts

Even with the shortcuts, this was a lot of miles. I did have a terrific day with blue skies and a nice breeze. High UV was the only real problem. The very high elevations on Mt. Rogers and the wind make the temps tolerable.

I stopped at Old Orchard for my first break. It’s 5 miles along, and I ate breakfast (well, I ate a dinner, but a meal anyway) and met Trekker, another lady hiker, this time, in a dress. Shortly thereafter, a large group of guys showed up, and I got lost in the sea of names. When I first arrived, two SOBO sectioners from Morgantown were there, and they were nice guys. There’s a beautiful and large tenting area here, and they were just packing up their gear out there when I arrived at 9:30.

I took the Pine Mountain Trail (old AT) which cut off mileage, but was still quite scenic. I saw a wild mare and a very small foal along there.

I took a break at Thomas Knob, mostly from the sun. It was actually cool in the shade there and I dug out my wind jacket. A few fighter jets flew over, which was a little surreal, frankly. I met five or six hikers there, but I can only come up with three names: Newt, Ninja and Tax Dollar.

I hiked up to Whitetop Mountain, which I remembered as being very scenic and open. I arrived about 5:30pm, and since I had a phone signal, I called home. I met a few hikers there, but we all decided to go on. They NOBO and me SOBO. I had energy, the weather was good and there was a road *very* nearby, and I knew I’d never get a good night’s sleep if anyone was using that road. Areas like that also tend to attract locals for drinking purposes, and since I’m on my own out there, I avoid camping near them.

So, after a short break and a water up (GREAT water source up there), I hiked the 5.5 miles to Lost Mountain Shelter arriving at 8:10. This left me barely enough time to get ready for bed before it got completely dark. I was the last to roll in, and I managed to get things done. I chatted with the hiker to stayed in the shelter, Cy. All the others had already gone to bed — there were tents all over the place and one other hammock, but I still found a pretty decent place to hang the hammock with no trouble.

In the morning I met Red Leg, Papa Doc, Papa and Ma Kasson (Ma & Pa K), and I eventually met Midget Mom, the other hammocker. The rest of the crowd did not come up to the picnic table. Tents were spread out all over.

*comments on phones and hiker registers*

29-April-2009
Lost Mountain to Damascus, VA
15.8 A.T. Miles
12.9 Miles hiked on the A.T. and the Virginia Creeper Trail

Since I did this section before and was determined to actually find a place to stay in Damascus this year (3rd time’s the charm!), I decided to take the Virginia Creeper Trail part of the way. It’s a little shorter, but it is completely flat. I crossed 20 bridges over Whitetop Laurel Creek, and it was a very pretty walk. The Taylor Valley, which includes a little mountain town, was quite scenic. There are two snack bars there, but neither were open when I went through around 10am. I did run into several NOBOS coming up that trail instead of going over Cuckoo Knob and Feathercamp Ridge. I saw less than 10 bicycles — it’s a biking, horse and hiking trail, officially.

It was cloudier and cooler today, which was nice. The VCT was also shadier, so I did not get more sunburned. At least I don’t think I did.

I stayed at the Montgomery Homestead B&B. Susie is a very nice lady, and breakfast was tasty. Hooray for bacon! I got up early (as I have every day on this trip), and I hiked up to Mocha Jo’s for coffee and to use their WiFi. I met Lone Wolf from Whiteblaze, saw Pirate again, and met another character who was with Pirate but did not introduce himself.

Tino could not come and get me in the plane because I could not get a decent weather window to make the trip down and back in one day. Rain was moving in on his end, and later, it would be down south where I was. I could not get one-way car rental from Abingdon, and I ultimately had to get a shuttle to Tri-Cities Airport near Bristol, TN. I was shuttled by a super guy named Gecko, so that was a pleasant trip. That airport was very, very quiet, and I got a nicer car than I had reserved on Priceline, a Pontiac G6. It was one of the easiest drives up I-81 I’ve ever done, and I’ve done quite a few.

I did look in to taking a bus, but the people at the outfitter said that would be a very bad idea, and the bus also did not go up the valley or anywhere near Front Royal. The car return was to Dulles, but that was much easier and closer than anywhere the bus went.

Tino flew me to Mountain Empire Airport (very friendly place!) since it’s almost on the AT. He took me down to the trail in a borrowed car with “official business” plates, and it immediately started pouring down rain. Since I needed some lip stuff anyway, I went into the Exxon [...]]]> 25-April-2009
Atkins, VA to Chatfield Shetlter
4.5 miles

Tino flew me to Mountain Empire Airport (very friendly place!) since it’s almost on the AT. He took me down to the trail in a borrowed car with “official business” plates, and it immediately started pouring down rain. Since I needed some lip stuff anyway, I went into the Exxon and bought some, then waited 10 minutes under their awning. Rain over — time to go! I actually saw Tino fly over me on his way back to Front Royal, which was pretty cool.

Easy hike, but either have a problem with a sock or with a shoe as I already formed a small blister. I took care of it, and the small distance today should help. I will probably change out the socks tomorrow and see if that helps.

I can’t believe I didn’t notice the Virginia Settlers Museum when I hiked this section NOBO in 2004. It was behind me, and I think I did a 24 mile day to complete a hike, so I was probably in a big hurry, and it was the end of the day. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised!

There’s no where to tent here, but there’s a decent hammocking spot, so I’ll be hanging out for the night. Other hikers here include: Crawfish (a ‘99 SOBO thruhiker out for a short hike), Texas Chill (2009 NOBO), Javelin (2009 NOBO), Javelin’s wife (missed her name). Javelin and partner are Canadian French speakers. Whenever I hear so much talking in a foreign language, I always wonder how many people *can* understand them and if they generally assume everyone can’t!

It’s as buggy as I remember at this shelter. Yay.

Cow Pastures are pretty common on the AT, and I walked through one today.

I’m totally used up. My heels are blistered up good and proper now, but I did have a nice long break at Partnership Shelter with a lot of food brought in by Alex’s (2009 NOBO) parents. I met Nutmeg (F), Tin Man, The Darkness (F), Little Dipper (F), Billy Hoot (F), Boy George (dog), Katchup and Miss Muster (both F), Kate, Hot Sauce (F) and the Three Amigos (M). There were two more guys who’s names I missed, but that was a LOT of women. There are more women out here than I have ever seen outside of hiking couples.

I ate so much that I will be skipping dinner tonight in spite of a strenuous and somewhat rushed 10 miles here from Partnership. I think the hot, sunny afternoon had something to do with that.

Everyone at Trimpi threw their own bear line, which seems silly to me, and it’s extra work for everyone. Of course, it was nearly dark when I got here, and I had to fit that chore in too. I can usually get the bear line up on the first try — I’m pretty good at it, but it takes a while to find a good tree configuration, and since I didn’t throw a line last night (there was a huge and sweet natured dog at the shelter last night), my rope was kind of tangled up since I must have put it away hastily last fall.

Other hikers here are Maggie, Red Bar(on), Yeta and Captain Max.

27-April-2009
Trimpi Shelter to Hurricane Mtn Shelter
9.1 Miles

I thought I had planned my day so that I would not be hiking up hill in the heat of the day (it hit 92, which is very high when you’re climbing and carrying a pack), but I was sadly mistaken. The shelter was 2/3 of the way up the mountain, and it got hot earlier than I expected. I also got a later start than I would like from Trimpi, as I couldn’t manage to leave early since it felt like I had just gotten there.

When I arrived at Hurricane, Hermes and Dutch were here resting. Sassafrass and (Damn it, I just had her name!) are here and staying the night. No men at the shelter for the night at all. That is a first for me on the AT — all solo female hikers!

There’s nowhere to put a tent here, but a good place for a hammock where I’ll see the sunrise and get an early start tomorrow. I have a long day planned, but if it’s crazy hot again, I will make it shorter.

I’ll finish up the rest of this later or tomorrow, so this is it for Part I.

So, a bunch of us hiked 30 miles today to get to Damascus, well, today. As it turns out, we needn’t have bothered because the entire town is full. It took at least an hour to find that out. I finally decided to give [...]]]> 6 May 2005, Friday ~ 28.9 miles (no, really!)

So, a bunch of us hiked 30 miles today to get to Damascus, well, today. As it turns out, we needn’t have bothered because the entire town is full. It took at least an hour to find that out. I finally decided to give up and start driving home, stopping for a hotel when I needed to.

I stopped at the Relax Inn at Rural Retreat. I’ve stayed there before, and it’s clean and cheap and pleasant.

22 or maybe a little more hiked

My feet looked like hamburger. When I took my socks off at the car, they were bloody. Those shoes have been taken to the [...]]]> (my notes for this hike have been misplaced, this is from memory, but the shelter pictures and other images at whiteblaze.net were immensely helpful!).

22 or maybe a little more hiked

My feet looked like hamburger. When I took my socks off at the car, they were bloody. Those shoes have been taken to the dump — never again will I wear iffy shoes. The reason I wore them was that my Montrail Kinabalus, which are the best shoes I’ve ever hiked in, had blown holes in the heels and I couldn’t wear them. As it turned out Montrail later replaced them for me, but said I should have a cobbler put some leather in the heels so that the lining wouldn’t go.

Anyway, I took some pictures between (I think) Wise and the South Fork of the Holston River. I remember the area after that being kind of bland at first and then muddy and rhodo-y. The muddy and rhodo-y parts were stunningly humid. It was sunny, but all the water on the trees, etc was turning into vapor.

Cows in the trail. They ran away from me shortly after that. This is something every AT hiker encounters sooner or later.

This school bus was sitting in a pretty meadow. Some year soon, you won’t notice it at all!

Here’s the view down the trail. The school bus is off to the left.

I took a load off at Partnership and dried my socks and shoes in the sun. I Bag Balmed up my feet and went on. That was one nice shelter. I think I washed my face too, but I didn’t take shower.

This is the phone at the Mt. Roger’s Visitor’s Center. This is the one used by folks at Partnership Shelter to order pizza. You better have a credit card if you want to call anywhere else — this phone doesn’t take change and you can only make local and 800 calls from there!

Here I am at the Mt. Roger’s visitor’s center. I’m sunburned. Oops. That’s one of those things you don’t notice right away. The sunburn wasn’t much. Much less bad than my feet

An even 20 miles hiked

I probably would have collapsed at Raccoon Branch, but it is closed, permanently, I think.

We got some heavy rain today, and my feet started to get beat-up. [...]]]> (my notes for this hike have been misplaced, this is from memory, but the shelter pictures and other images at whiteblaze.net were immensely helpful!).

An even 20 miles hiked

I probably would have collapsed at Raccoon Branch, but it is closed, permanently, I think.

We got some heavy rain today, and my feet started to get beat-up. By this time, I was *seriously* regretting not visiting the New Balance booth at Trail Days. I had chosen an old (and broken-in, I figured) bear of NB shoes, but as it turned out, they were a little small. Once I got good and wet and then hiked 10 miles, I had a real mess on my hands.

I passed the turn off for the Hurricane Gulch shelter which was being built right then. I turned the corner, and then came the pouring rain.

Trimpi was pretty full. It was May, after all, and Raccoon Branch was kaput. I tented out (I think I passed on the tarp this trip because I expected mosquitoes) and had some of the most bizarre and realistic dreams I’ve ever had. They were the kind where I actually wasn’t sure if I was awake or asleep!

As I recall, the mosquitoes here were incredibly bad, especially by the water source.

17 miles hiked

I took tons of pictures today, and here they are in sequence with little explanations.

Obviously, I had another hiker take this picture. Since lot my notes, I haven’t a [...]]]> (my notes for this hike have been misplaced, this is from memory, but the shelter pictures and other images at whiteblaze.net were immensely helpful!).

17 miles hiked

I took tons of pictures today, and here they are in sequence with little explanations.

Obviously, I had another hiker take this picture. Since lot my notes, I haven’t a clue who! This is me on top of Buzzard Rock.

This was shot from the north side of Buzzard rock towards Whitetop and Elk Garden.

This is right after the parking lot at VA600. This is the beautiful hill you hike up on your way into Lewis Fork Wilderness towards Mt. Rogers.

Here is a wild pony and foal that I saw on Mt. Rogers.

Here is the mare licking my hand. This is around Rhododendron Gap. Thomas Knob shelter was really cool, but it was too early for me to stop and there were already a lot of people there.

I was hiking with another sectioner who’s name I cannot recall. He was more fanatical than I about ultra lighting, and I have, in fact, taken some cues from him in prep for my hikes this year that will be in Tennessee. He took the picture of me with the pony above.

As we walked into Wise, it was thundering and sprinkling a little. I was recovering, getting water and walking around deciding where to pitch my tarp. While I was sitting in the shelter, the rain let loose hard and heavy. I stayed in the shelter, and it was full. I, of course, regretted it. Again, I didn’t get a good night’s sleep. I really should know better by now, I suppose.

19.5 miles hiked

I came in here when it was nearly dark and thundering.

I slept in the shelter, which is almost always a mistake for me. I never sleep well because the [...]]]> (my notes for this hike have been misplaced, this is from memory, but the shelter pictures and other images at whiteblaze.net were immensely helpful!).

19.5 miles hiked

I came in here when it was nearly dark and thundering.

I slept in the shelter, which is almost always a mistake for me. I never sleep well because the bastard mice wake me up. Boy scouts woke me up too damn early as well.

I know these entries are thin, but there are pictures starting in the next one!

There are pictures, and with a map and pictures of shelters on another site, I was able to piece something [...]]]> I have completely lost my journals from this hike, which is why I haven’t posted it until now. I was holding out hope that I could actually find the bits of paper that I needed.

There are pictures, and with a map and pictures of shelters on another site, I was able to piece something together.

I did the section from Damascus to Atkins/I-81 starting on the Saturday of Trail Days in 2004, so May, 2004.

No doubt, I will pay dearly for this tomorrow. I had planned to camp somewhere outside Harper’s Ferry, but that’s not what I wound up doing.

It started pouring rain last night. I woke up at 5 am (that’s what happens when you go to bed at 10 pm). I [...]]]> 6/17 ~ Harper’s Ferry, WV (12.4 miles)

No doubt, I will pay dearly for this tomorrow. I had planned to camp somewhere outside Harper’s Ferry, but that’s not what I wound up doing.

It started pouring rain last night. I woke up at 5 am (that’s what happens when you go to bed at 10 pm). I delayed getting up hoping it would stop raining. Not even close.  Ate breakfast, signed the register & headed out at 9 am in the rain & fog. I saw two deer on the climb back up to the AT from the hostel. At this point, the rain was not too bad. I was able to justify stopping for lunch & not worrying about the food getting wet.

The rain remained at that level until I crossed WV 9. It picked up until it was a continuous downpour. It did take an hour for me to be squishing in my boots, which says something for Nik-Wax, I think. After about an hour, the rain slowed, but didn’t stop. The trail descending into Harper’s Ferry was steep & slippery.  I fell pretty hard trying to come down that hill, but the pack saved me some serious back pain I think — I’d have been really bruised by the rock I fell on without it.

Good things? I saw a million cute little frogs (or toads for all I know) & frogs look cheerful to me. I think it’s the bug eyes. I also had a splendid view of Harper’s Ferry from the Loudoun Heights trail — right when it sotpped raining, too.  What was I doing on *that* trail, you ask? I made a blunder at the top of that damn hill. I wound up going way out of my way to the Sandy Hook bridge. It was the first time I’ve crossed the Potomac on foot.

I decided to press on to the AYH near Sandy Hook. It was not what I wanted, so managed to get a ride back to Harper’s Ferry, & I’m staying at the Hilltop House. It’s a cute place, but the room & restaurant are both rip offs. I’ll visit the ATC tomorrow.

I’m tired & out of it at the moment. I’m sure I’ll feel better after I rest a bit. This place is *posh* and friendly. There’s food cooking & I know there’s a pie in the oven. Can you believe that? PIE?  The trail was much [...]]]> 6/16 ~ Snicker’s Gap to Blackburn A.T. Center (7.5 miles)

I’m tired & out of it at the moment. I’m sure I’ll feel better after I rest a bit. This place is *posh* and friendly. There’s food cooking & I know there’s a pie in the oven. Can you believe that? PIE?  The trail was much like other places I’ve hiked in Virginia. Terrific view at Crescent Rock — took a picture. Saw some climbers there too.

Wildlife spotted: lizard, bunny.  My left foot is a sea of pain, which is no surprise. The surprise is that my left knee is also painful. I hope it’s better tomorrow.