Day 50 – Boots Off Hostel to Iron Mountain Shelter 

“Don’t be fallin’ in love as she’s walking away

When your heart won’t tell your mind to tell your mouth what it should say

May have lost this battle, live to fight another day

Don’t be fallin’, fallin’, and fallin’ in love as she’s walking away” – Zac Brown

Mid-70s, overcast, humid, and threat of rain all day.

Something funny I forgot to mention in my zero-day blog. I actually used the Yelp reviews to help pick which of the Sunoco or Exxon I will resupply at in about 7 days. That’s a first for this adventure. The Sunoco wins. This is at the exit for Mountain Empire Airport on I81 and US 11. Just a bit north of Atkins, VA. That’s where I descend from the Mount Roger’s section of the trail and cross over to the Pearisburg/Blacksburg side of 81 until crossing back in Daleville. That’s my first resupply after leaving Damascus, VA.

Dana drove us back to where I got off the trail, and we stopped at McDonald’s. 

It was REALLY hard to say goodbye and start hiking this morning. Next time we see each other will be around July 8 in Front Royal, VA.

On trail at 11:15. I’ll be hiking next to Watauga Lake all day. This is a very big lake used for power generation by the TVA. Lots of large marinas and big boats. Very popular lake for recreation.

Crossed Watauga Dam at 12:30.

Stopped for a snack at 2:20. Trees are blocking most of the views of the lake.

Made a quick stop at Vandeventer Shelter at mile 438 for a snack at 4:10. Going to push on 6.8 more miles to Iron Mountain Shelter.

Got to Iron Mountain Shelter at 7:40. A couple and a dog in the shelter and one person asleep in a tent. I got camp setup and bear hang done and dinner cooking by 8:20. 2 bars of cell service. Nice tenting area and lots of good bear hang options.

Ate dinner, hung my food bad, got the clothes off the laundry line, and settled into my tent at 9:00. Starting to rain so very good timing!

Reserved a room at The Dancing Bear Inn in Damascus, VA. Looks centrally located and has good reviews. Someplace between a B&B and a hostel.

Basically today was about making miles. Just trying to get to Virginia and Damascus. My feet hurt a bit later in the day due to brand new orthotics I put in my shoes yesterday. Always happens on the first few days with new orthotics.

Technical Notes:

• Egg McMuffin 288
• Hashbrown 147
• Small coke 50
• Snickers 250
• Trail mix 270
• Snickers 250
• Curry noodles 450
• Dehydrated pork 240
• Water liters 5
• Miles 16
• Time 8:25
• Elevation gain 4422
• Calories consumed 2050
• Calories burned 4500