Day 54 – Whitetop Road to State Route 603 

“It’s the end of the world as we know it

It’s the end of the world as we know it

It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine” – REM

Up at 7:00. Very windy and cool today with a 60% chance of rain all day. Fell back asleep till 8:00. Literally woke up in a cloud! On the trail at 9:10.

My sleeping pad deflated every hour last night. I obviously put a small hole in it. I have a patch kit assuming I can find the leak. This sucks.

Made it to 2.5 miles to Elk Garden at 10:20. There is a pit-toilet and  trash cans here, availed myself of both:)

Had a snack before going out at 10:40. Entering Lewis Fork Wilderness area.

Up there is where I spent the night. 

And now I have to climb this to reach Mount Rogers.

Walking out of the woods into a meadow in the clouds today. Feels like walking off the edge of the world.

This pony did not want to yield the trail to me. We are in a very large area of wild pony herds today including the Greyson Highlands.

Got to Thomas Knob shelter at 12:45. 4 thru hikers, 2 scout masters, and 8 scouts sheltering from the rain and cold wind. I’ll get some food and water and head out. It’s too cold and crowded. I want to get to lower altitude. It’s going to rain all day so I’ll just deal with it. I slipped and poked a few small holes in my CNOC bag while getting water. Will see if duct tape can fix it. Headed back out at 1:20.

Called a hostel and they have a room. Getting picked up at 5:00. Shorter day than wanted by 6 miles, but I’m not making good time in this rain and mud.

I passed the 500-mile mark!

Left the AT for Pine Mountain Trail at mile 500.4. Pretty hike to cut off the Greyson Highlands section of AT. Hiked through miles of these in heavy rain.

Rejoined the AT at mile 508.9. Now it really started pouring! Took a good fall on slippery rocks, but I’m good. Stopped at Old Orchard Shelter for a break. Ran into Puzzler and 3 friends. They are doing a 23-mile slackpack today. Staying at the same hostel as me so I’ll see them later this evening.

Headed out at 4:00 to meet my driver 1.6 miles away at 5:00. It’s pouring and ankle-deep mud. I have not been this wet and muddy since before the Smokies. At least it’s warm at the lower altitudes.

Made it to the parking lot near Fox Creek and State Route 603 at 4:45. Driver should be here at 5:00. Got to the hostel about 5:40. Interesting place and interesting owner. I’m good with it but a lot of people would not be.

Did laundry, showered, went to DG for frozen pizzas and hard seltzer, attempted to dry shoes and jacket on a clothesline. Will try to dry shoes with a small space heater in the room tonight. 

No way I’m finding the leak in my sleeping pad. I’m ordering a new one. Not sure where I’ll ship it yet.

Heard from Overkill. She was smart and took today off in Marion. Will be at Quarter Way Inn tomorrow night. I’m probably 30 miles behind her roughly. Caught up a day and a half. Next two days have great weather and I’ll try for big miles. 

Ran into another hiker named Tortilla that I have leapfrogged with since Erwin. We chatted for quite a while.

Ordered a new sleep pad at the outfitter in Marion. Now I have to get there to pick it up.

Technical Notes:

• Pop-Tarts 370
• Fritos 300
• Snickers 250
• Trail mix 270
• Fritos 200
• French bread pizza 800
• Hot pocket 510
• Dr Pepper 150
• Seltzer 700
• Water liters 3.4
• Miles 13
• Time 8:00
• Elevation gain 1700
• Calories consumed 4000
• Calories burned 4000