Day 46 – Moreland Gap Shelter to Boots Off Hostel

“I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hands wet on the wheel.

There’s a voice in my head that drives my heel.

It’s my baby callin’, says, “I need you here.”

And it’s a-half-past four and I’m shifting gear.

When she is lonely and the longing gets too much,

She sends a cable coming in from above.

Don’t need no phone at all.

We’ve got a thing and that’s a-called radar love.

We’ve got a wave in the air.

Radar love” – Golden Earring

Up at 7:00, out at 8:00. Perfect weather today.

Just making mikes so far today. Not much scenery of interest.

Heard from Mike. He made it to Marion, VA after a bout of Noro in Damascus. Bummer on the Noro.

Took two pictures of Overkill crossing the bridge into Dennis Cove area.

The trail dips very steeply several hundred feet to Laurel Fork Falls.

YouTube video of Laurel Fork Falls.

The trail then follows the river, including the climb back up, for a couple of miles.

YouTube video of the walk along the river.

It’s 1:45 and time for the nasty 2.8-mile steep climb near the end of our day. I lost count of switchbacks going up after 25. This thing looked intimidating on the map and it was in person too. 

Summitted this damn mountain at 3:50 and hauled ass 2.8 miles to Boots Off Hostel to make sure to catch their 6:00 shuttle to town. Really nice hostel. I got the blue tiny cottage. Made it to hostel at 5:15.

Shuttled into town to pick up a subway and some snacks for tonight. I have to pick up a supply box at the hostel office later. Got back to the hostel, ate, and chatted with Overkill for a bit while she planned out her food for the next 3 days. I’m getting off trail tomorrow with 4.6 miles to hike and then taking a double zero with Dana. 

Overkill and I guesstimate that I should catch back up with her in about 2-3 weeks. That puts us near the VA triple crown not far north of Blacksburg, VA. I hope we pair up again on trail. We have similar personalities (both introverts a bit) and very similar and complimentary hiking styles and speeds. She wants to submit Kathadin on 09/29 for her anniversary and I want to summit on 09/30 for my birthday. Odds are we pair up north of Shenandoah worst case.

Videoed with Dana to go over my list of things I need her to bring plus logistics for tomorrow. Can’t wait for the next few days with my woman:)

Technical Notes:

• Pop-Tarts 370
• Trail mix 170
• Little Debbie 200
• Trail mix 170
• Snickers 250
• RX Bar 210
• Trail mix 270
• Subway 1050
• Truly 600
• Pringles 900
• Water liters 6
• Miles 14.5
• Time 9:00
• Elevation gain 3000
• Calories consumed 4400
• Calories burned a little 6500