It sucked to have to end our hike 3 weeks early, but there was no way that I could continue with the problems that I was having.
After we got home from Front Royal I scheduled a series of doctor’s appointments and tests. Started with my GP, which led to a Cardiologist and a Pulmonologist.
The Cardiologist did a nuclear stress test which showed something…maybe. Given that he told me avoid any strenuous exercise until we figure this out. That led to a CT angiogram, which came back clean. Nice to know that I have no cardio issues at my age.
That still leaves the mystery of why I have been struggling so much.
I met with a pulmonologist and he put me on multiple meds including a rescue inhaler. It turns out I have developed a mild case of asthma in my old age. Couple that with seasonal allergies and that seems like the root of my issues.
Thursday, May 1, 2025. Up at 6:50. Partly sunny and 58 degrees going up to 83.
Slept very well. Hoping for a good hiking day with minimal body issues. Other than some chaffing that I need to get under control before it ruins this hike.
On trail at 8:10.
Stopped for water and a pack adjustment by VA 55 at Manassas Gap. We are 2.3 miles and 1 hour in so far. Got a big hill to climb for the next 1.2 miles.
Bridge at Manassas GapCrossing under VA Route 55
Stopped for a break and water at the Denton Shelter at 11.20. Finished 5.5 miles and have 4.9 to go.
Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Ran across some lovely trail magic about .8 miles from our destination. Sodas, healthy beverages, fruit, etc. much appreciated!
Self-service trail magic near Front Royal, VA
Arrived at Mountain Home at 2:50. We were greeted by the lovely owners Lisa and Scott. Lisa gave us a tour of the house which dated from 1846. Very nice B&B with a hiker bunk room as well.
Ed at entrance to Mountain Home B&B, Front Royal
Ed and I got a private room. Foosball table included.
The game room at Mountain Home B&B, Front Royal
We grabbed a shower then got a ride into town for a nice meal and drinks. Back to the hostel and a good nights sleep.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Up at 6:40. Partly sunny and 60 degrees going up to 80.
Hips and glutes hurt from my pack. Will try letting it sit lower on my hips today.
Thunderstorms last night from 1:30 to 3:30. Not too bad. Rain fly is wet but all else is dry.
On trail at 8:25.
Humid this morning. Stopped to filter water and have a snack at 10:20 and 3.6 miles in. Had to use the leaf trick to make a spout for the water. Next water is about 5.5 miles.
Using a leaf to get water
Stopped at noon to dry out tents from last nights rain. We have 5.5 miles in and 7.6 to go.
Drying our gear at Sky Meadows, VA
Today was a hard day. Last 4 miles killed me. I don’t know what is wrong. I did not feel this bad at the beginning of my thru-hike last year. Having trouble catching my breath and my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest.
Ed and I discussed things, and we are going to call this hike tomorrow in Front Royal. I am upset about cutting a 3+ week trip down to 5 days, but I can’t physically do this.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Up at 7:30. Partly sunny and 55 degrees, going up to 84.
Got moving slow today. Short day, so I’m in no hurry. On trail at 9:20.
Really tough morning. Ups and downs. I’m out of shape, in case I had not previously mentioned that. Stopping very frequently on the uphills.
Ed could not find his hearing aids. Fairly certain he packed them up in his tent. Not knowing bothered him so much that he stopped and unpacked everything until he found them.
We passed the 1,000-mile mark for Springer Mountain.
Ed at the old 1000 mile marker in Virginia
Stopped to filter water and take a break at noon and 3.8 miles in.
Bridge south of Virginia Rollercoaster
Ed somehow triggered his emergency alert on his Garmin watch while getting water. He had to call his son to let him know all was well and texted Lisa that it was an error.
We exited the southern end of the Roller Coaster at 3:20.
Exiting the Virginia Rollercoaster
We made it to Rod Hollow shelter at 3:45. We talked to a section hiker our age from St. Louis for quite a while. He is doing the trail in one-month sections over a few years. I love his approach. He parks his car with all his spare gear and resupply at a secure place like a hostel or a formal campground. Then gets a shuttle to trail about 5-6 days away and hikes back to his car. Rinse, repeat. Really good guy. He is doing the exact same section as us, so we should see a lot more of him over the next 2 weeks.
Lots of NOBO thru-hikers rolled in around 5:30. About 10 of them. Sort of a mini bubble. They started in the Feb timeframe. Chatted with them a bit. Funny how they kind of ignored the three old guys until they found out I thru-hiked last year. Then they were much more engaging.
Crawled into the tent about 7:00. Not tired but not really my scene at the picnic table with all the youngsters. Worked on blogs and talked to Dana.
Slowly getting used to tent life again.
Resting in tent at Rod Hollow Shelter
As I mentioned, I’m moving very slowly on the steep uphills. I know it’s only day 3, but I know I was doing better at this point last year. We only did 1.3 miles per hour today. I’m not loving my new pack. I’m having some back issues and hip issues. I need to try some changes to the pack setup over the next few days. It just might not be right for my body. I’m also carrying too much weight. We will see how it goes.
Day 3 Map – Sam Moore Shelter to Rod Hollow Shelter
Monday, April 28, 2025. Up at 7:10. Sunny and 45 degrees going up to the mid-70s.
On trail at 8:20. We have 11.4 miles to go with a few side trips. The hike UP to the trail from Blackburn is .3 miles very much uphill. Gets the blood flowing.
We entered the northern part of the Virginia Roller Coaster at 10:10. I love this area for day hikes, but hate it with a 34lb load.
Entering the Virginia Rollercoaster
We crossed from West Virginia into Virginia fairly early in the day. We stopped at Raven Rocks, Virginia, at 10:55 for a break. Awesome views and perfect weather.
Ed at Raven Rocks, VA
Crossing Rt 7 is always a challenge. Four lanes of traffic to play Frogger with. Not too much traffic crossing Rt 7 today as we were nowhere near rush hour. Unlike when Overkill and I crossed last July.
Ed at Raven Rocks, VA
Got to Bears Den at 1:40. Stopped for snack, water, and a long break.
Bear’s Den hiking centerChuck at Bear’s Den cliff
The last 1 mile into camp SUCKED. Steep uphill and my hips and thighs are yelling at me. I am more out of shape than I thought. Had to stop about 10 times on this last ascent. We made it to Sam Moore Shelter at 4:40.
Took an annoying fall right before camp. More embarrassing than anything else.
We got camp set up by 5:15. Ed on the left and me on the right.
Camp at Sam Moore Shelter
The one thing I forgot to do before leaving home was to test my water filter. It had zero flow initially. I got it to work marginally. Poor throughput. I’ll try to get another in Front Royal in 3 days.
Ed and I made dinner about 6:30. Had a good conversation with a young man doing a flip-flop starting from Waynesboro last week. Trail name is Strider.
Got my food hung and crawled into my tent and in bed at 7:20. Worked on blog and notes. Talked to Dana. Read until 9:30.
Day 2 Map – Blackburn Trail Center to Sam Moore Shelter
It is almost time to leave home for a month. It has been a very busy last two weeks. I let a TON of household chores and repairs pile up since BEFORE my thru-hike started last year. I basically spent the last two weeks catching up on an 18 month backlog of chores as well as getting me, my gear, and the household ready for me to disappear for a month with Ed on the AT.
I am as ready as I can be. Physically, mentally, and logistically. I wish I had trained more, but nothing I can do about that at those point. The last thing I had to do was get this new blog ready for the trip. I will send the blog links out to people later this evening.
The weather looks good for our first 4 days on trail. We will hit some thunderstorms on day 5 as we get into Front Royal, VA. And it looks like we will get rained on the first day into Shenandoah. But the temperatures look good (mid 70s to low 80s). I was REALLY hoping for good weather on the first day. That first day is a mental challenge to begin with, and the last thing we needed is rain on top of everything else.
I am looking forward to this trip. Both the hike in general as well as catching up with Ed. We have not seen or talked to each other much in the past 25+ years even though we were very close in college as well as for the first few years after. Nothing bad, just life and all that.
I am curious to see if I embrace this hike the same way I did my thru-hike last year. Having a hiking partner will make this trip much more enjoyable and less stressful. I know that from past experience. I hope this goes well since, as Dana likes to remind me, my job in retirement is hiking! I also need to shake the post thru-hike blues that I have been having for the past many months.
I am very curious to see how much weight I drop on this one month trek. I am guessing / hoping for about 12 pounds. And I WILL NOT put it all back on after this trip!
Dana will drive Ed and me to Harpers Ferry in the morning. The plan is to stop at one of my favorite diners for a big breakfast and to be on trail by 9:30. We have either 10.5 or 12.1 miles to go tomorrow depending on how we are feeling. The first 3 miles are VERY uphill, but it chills out a bit after that. Unfortunately there is no water along the way unless we take a .4 mile road walk to a gas station convenience store around mile 6. I did that last year. Makes for a nice mid-day break for food and drink. Stay tuned to see how that goes !
One last thing to mention. I want to give a big shout out to Dana and Lisa for supporting me and Ed on this hike. We can’t do these long distance hikes without support from our partners and spouses. These trips can also be challenging for the loved ones we are leaving at home. Thanks very much ladies and we will see you again in late May!
