Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Up at 6:00. Clear, 60 going up to 80 with rain in the evening.
Had a nice breakfast at Mountain Home B&B. Our shuttle driver Scott shuttled us to Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, VA at 7:00am. On trail at 9:10.
First Skyline Drive crossing of many at McCormick Gap at 10:54 and 3.4 miles in. Good steady uphill hike so far today. Should stay that way until Bear Den Mountain.
Reached Bear Den Mountain and the communications towers at 11:30 and 4.8 miles. Good place for a rest and a snack. I always love the tractor seats set into the ground directly on the AT.
Decent descent to Skyline Drive at Beagle Gap then back uphill to Little Calf Mountain. Summited Little Calf Mountain at 12:45. Nice workout. Winds picking up and sky’s are getting cloudy. Rain this evening.
Stopped at the spring just before the Calf Mountain Shelter for water at 1:30. This is our only water until tomorrow evening. Very dry out here. I am carrying 4.25 liters or 10lbs of water for hiking 8 more miles this afternoon, cooking tonight, and hiking 14 miles tomorrow. I like this better than our original plan of camping here, then going 2 more days to the next water. Makes for a long first day, but I prefer this plan.
Small world. We ran into Antlers. We hiked with him multiple times in Maine back in August. He is section hiking part of Shenandoah with 2 friends.
This extra 5lbs sucks. I swear the added weight over about 25 lbs is NOT linear. More logarithmic in terms of how it feels!
Stopped for a short break at Sawmill Run overlook at 3:30. We have 4 miles to go all uphill from here. Both Ed and I are struggling with the extra water weight.
We found a set of stealth camping spots about one mile further than planned at 15.4 miles. Decent spot for 3 or 4 tents. We got here at 5:40.
Set up tents quickly as the rain started to arrive at 6:00. Made dinner in our tent vestibules due to rain.
All snug in my tent, blogging, and reading at 7:30. Curious to see how much rain we get and how cold it gets.
Good hard day overall. Double our original plan, but I never liked that plan. The last 3 miles up to camp with all the heavy water was not fun, but no choice. Drought.
Hard day today sets us up for a much easier day tomorrow. About 13 miles to Loft Mountain campground where we hope to get a camping spot in the camp ground.
Technical Notes:
- Veggie cheese omlette 300
- Fruit 120
- Toast 111
- Apple cider 140
- Coffee 30
- Fig bar 200
- Trail mix 210
- Peak Refuel Home Style chicken and rice 740
- Water liters 2
- Miles 15.4
- Time 8:30
- Up 3858
- Down 2907
- Calories consumed 1850
- Calories burned 3535
Leave a Reply