Day 78 – I 81 to Cove Mountain Shelter: mile 731.4 to mile 755.3 Had a good day! Betty fed me an awesome breakfast and took me to the trail around 7:30. Turns out the 1/3 mark was right where she dropped me off. The terrain was mostly easygoing and my pace remained below 30…
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Virginia’s Triple Crown
Acknowledgements While spending time in Rochester, a former co-worker and friend asked if I wanted to go hiking. Mary and her husband, Keith, have been hiking the Finger Lakes trail and met me there to do a section of about 12 miles. I wore my pack to try to keep as much of my trail…
Injury on the Trail
They say if you make it to Virginia then the only thing that will take you off the trail is illness or injury. In our case, that would be injury. Day 58 – Angel’s Rest Hostel to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter: mile 637.0 to mile 656.7 We got a ride from Angel’s Rest Hostel back…
Hostels on the AT
Hostels are a big part of the Appalachian Trail experience. They are scattered along the trail from Georgia to Maine and are as diverse as the trail is long. During a 3 day stretch, we had the opportunity to stay in a different hostel each night. Our original plan had us staying at 2 with a…
Four Long Hot Days
Day 52 – Mount Rodgers Visitor Center to Reed Creek: mile 534.3 to mile 552.5 Today was the first of three long days in a row. To help us get a jump on the day, we got an early shuttle from the inn and was able to get back on the trail by 7:20 am….
Damascus to Marion
Day 47 – Damascus to Lost Mountain Shelter: mile 471.0 to mile 486.7 It was good weather for hiking. We had three major climbs for the day but they didn’t seem too bad. About mid morning we met a couple, Donna and Alan, hiking the other way and I noticed the lady had a Nikon…
Welcome to Virginia
Day 41 – The Station at 19E to Moreland Gap Shelter: mile 395.3 to mile 413.7 After two days off the trail we were happy to get out and get moving again. We walked the 0.7 miles to the trailhead and commenced to cover over 18 miles of trail. Our time off was preplanned but…
Uncle Johnny’s to The Station at 19E
Day 36 – Uncle Johnny’s to Cherry Gap Shelter: mile 344.2 to mile 361.4 Today was our hottest day yet with temps approaching the 80’s. The morning was pleasant and we made good time. We came across the day’s first trail magic at Indian Grave Gap. Brother Tom was set up where he is 5…
Hot Springs to Uncle Johnny’s Hostel
Day 31 – Hot Springs to Spring Mountain Shelter: mile 275.0 to mile 285.9 After a big breakfast at the Smokey Mountain Diner, we started our hike out of Hot Springs. After crossing the river, the trail left the road and followed the river for a bit before heading uphill. As we climbed back up…
Newfound Gap to Hot Springs
Day 25 – Newfound Gap to Pecks Corner Shelter: mile 207.7 to mile 218.2 We got back to Newfound Gap about 8:00 AM where the ground was covered by a dusting of snow and temps were well below freezing. The hiking was a bit tricky in places as the water on the trail had frozen…