Tag: Virginia

Day 4 – Hightop Hut to Bearfence Hut
Friday, October 10, 2025. Up at 7:30. Cold, foggy, overcast, breezy. Got down to 38 last night. Sunny and upper 50s today.

On trail at 8:55. Fingers crossed we get one of the 30 spots at Lewis Campground.

Fairly easy morning. Uphill .7 miles to start but not bad. Chilly and breezy. Reached the Swift Run Gap, US 33 park entrance station at 10:30 and 3.68 miles. Walked to the entrance to get water and have second breakfast.

Ed and Chuck at US 33

Swift Run Gap park entrance

Hiked 2 .2 miles uphill to South River Picnic Area at 12:00 for a snack and a rest. Still chilly, mostly cloudy even though forecast say sunshine. Oh well.

Tons of people here. Just about every parking spot taken. I guess it is a holiday weekend. Laughing at people who are disgusted by the park pit toilets. They are perfectly fine. LOL.

Back on trail at 12:30. Boring hike today with not much to see.

Arrived at Lewis Mountain campground at 2:45. It’s all booked up as I suspected. Got a soda and a sandwich as a late afternoon snack and chilled at the camp store for a bit. Picked up some resupply I probably did not need. Pushed on another mile to Bearfence Hut at 3:30.

We arrived at Bearfence Hut at 4:00. Nice little shelter and very nice tent pads. No cell service, but sheltered from the wind. Can’t have everything. Nobody else here once again.

Bearfence Hut

Ed and I had dinner about 6:00 then headed to our tents. It’s getting cold fast.

I have been worried about the weather on Sunday. It’s supposed to rain all day and the temperature is a wild card. It could be in the mid 50s on Sunday, but it will most definitely be in the 40s or worse Sunday night. I’ve done cold rain on trail for a few days at a time and it sucks big time. This is hypothermia weather.

I told Ed we need to start thinking about backup plans for Sunday. While we are equipped to survive this kind of weather, this isn’t a thru-hike and we are out here to enjoy ourselves. Not just to survive.

Ed texted with Lisa via satellite and she got us a room Sunday night at Skyland resort about 18 miles north on the AT. I thought there might be a chance of a room there. That’s the most expensive place in the park and usually the last to book up on weekends like this. We may have gotten the last room.

We will camp in the rain Saturday night then hike about 2.5 hours to Skyland and make like hiker trash in the lobby or elsewhere until we can checkin later in the afternoon. I can just imagine what that room will look like with two of us trying to dry out our gear in the hotel room. Brings back fond memories of my time in the Smokies on my thru-hike last spring.

Day 4 Map

Technical Notes:
- Pop Tarts 360
- Snickers 250
- Trail mix 210
- Skittles 120
- Skittles 120
- Italian sandwich 590
- Dr pepper 140
- Dr pepper 140
- Ramen 370
- Tuna 70
- Fritos 560
- Water liters 2.5
- Miles 14.32
- Time 7:09
- Up 2999
- Down 3045
- Calories consumed 2930
- Calories burned 2349
Day 3 – Loft Mountain Campground to Hightop Hut
Thursday, October 9, 2025. Up at 7:30. Upper 30s this morning going up to upper 50s today. Breezy.

Very windy last night but clear. Full

Moon was amazing. It was more light out at midnight than sunrise. Ate breakfast, packed up and headed to camp store for coffee at 8:50.

Breakfast at Loft Mountain camp store

We have a medium-hard 14.5 miles to go today to reach Hightop Hut.

Hard steep 1 mile climb out of Ivy Creek. My legs are feeling that one! Summited at 11:50 and 4 miles in.

Chuck at Ivy Creek

Stopped at the Ivy Creek Overlook on Skyline Drive at 12:00 for a short break. The leaves are turning colors just the past 72 hours.

Leaves turning in Shenandoah

Lots up solid uphills today. Getting a good workout.

Stopped at Simmons Gap Ranger Station for water at 1:50 and 8.4 miles in. Nobody here due to the government shutdown, but water pump works. Had to stop here on my thru-hike last year as well. Had lunch and got back on trail at 2:15. We have 6.4 miles to camp and the last 2 miles will be steep uphill.

Simmons Gap Ranger Station

Water at Simmons Gap

Tough last 3.6 miles uphill. Not as nasty when I hiked to this same camp site last year in July in 95 degrees and 85% humidity!

Got to Hightop Hut at little after 5:00. We have it to ourselves. Got camp setup and filtered water. Real nice spot. No wind, unlike last night!

Hightop Hut campsite

One bar cell service. Called Pitcrew and chatted while I made dinner. It got COLD as soon as the fun set and the wind is picking up again. Freeze warning tonight.

Good day. I’m annoyed at my legs and hips. This hike should be easier than this. I suppose I deserve the pain done I took 2 weeks vacation right before this and got no exercise. One of these days I will learn.

Tomorrow should be a good day. 12.2 miles to Lewis Campground. It’s a Friday so we have our fingers crossed on getting a camp site. If not then we have another 1 mile to Bearfence Hut. Either way we will pick up dinner and snacks at the Lewis Mountain camp store. Should be there between 2:00 and 3:00.

Day 3 Map

Technical Notes:
- Pop Tarts 360
- Half a Hershey bar 180
- Half a Hershey bar 180
- Fatty sausage 300
- Skittles 130
- Ramen 370
- Spam 230
- Fritos 560
- Water liters 2.75
- Miles 14.87
- Time 8:00
- Up 3474
- Down 3491
- Calories consumed 2280
- Calories burned 2785
Day 2 – Wildcat Ridge to Loft Mountain Campground
Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Up at 8:00. Foggy, Dan, mid 60s going to mid 70s. Clearing this afternoon.

Rained on and off last night. Woke at 7:00 to heavy fog so I went back to sleep for a while.

Will have to pack up a wet tent and try to dry it if the sun comes out later afternoon. We camped on heavy leaves so at least stuff isn’t muddy! Broke down camp and got on trail about 9:15.

Reached the Riprap Trail parking area at 10:05 and 2.13 miles. Humid and breezy. Sun is trying to come out. Hopefully that helps with the humidity. Took the legs off my pants. Too humid for long pants and the weather gets better as the day progresses.

Reached Blackrock Gap at 11:20 and 5 miles. Got cloudy again. Overcast and breeze feels nice. Trail is nice except for the slippery wet leaves.

Chuck and Ed at Blackrock

Arrived at Blackrock Hut at 11:50. No water this year. This place was packed last year when we came through here in early July. Probably 12 other hikers minimum. We have 7.2 miles to reach Loft Mountain campground. Should be there by 4:00.

Blackrock Hut

Summited Blackrock at 12:50. Nice view to the west all the way across the Shenandoah valley.

Chuck on Blackrock summit

Quick break at Dundo Picnic Grounds at 1:45. Emptied trash and tested my feat. We have .7 miles downhill then 3.8 uphill to Loft Mountain campground. Probably 4:15.

Startled a doe about 2 miles from camp.

Startled a doe in Shenandoah

Got to Loft Mountain campground and checked in just before 4:00. Set up camp in a nice sunny spot. Tent was a bit damp but dried quickly.

Loft Mountain campground

Headed to camp store at 5:00 or dinner and 2 days resupply. Good selection. We both got cold sandwiches and beverages for dinner. Ramen and spam for resupply dinner plus snacks.

Ate dinner at camp and got into tent early. Getting cold fast and winds picking up. In bed at 7:00.

Good day. Legs and feet need more work, but getting there.

Day 2 map

Technical Notes:
- Pop Tarts 360
- Fatty beef stick 300
- Trail mix 210
- Zero sugar sausage 120
- Payday 240
- 1330
- Italian sub 590
- Italian sandwich 450
- Seltzer 400
- Reese’s 400
- Fritos 500
- Water liters 2.25
- Miles 13.44
- Time 7:00
- Up 3064
- Down 2602
- Calories consumed 3670
- Calories burned 2716
Day 1 – Rockfish Gap to Wildcat Ridge
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.

Ed and Chuck entering Shenandoah

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.

Skyline Drive at McCormick Gap

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.

Bear Den communications towers

Tractor seats at Bear Den Mountain

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.

Little Calf Mountain summit

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.

Ed, Chuck, Antlers in Shenandoah

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.

Stealth camping in Shenandoah

Cooking dinner in the tent vestibule

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.

Day 1 Map

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
Day 0 – Poolesville, MD to Front Royal, VA

Monday, October 6, 2025.

Base weight with some cold weather gear is 21.87 lbs and full weight with 1.75 liters of water and 2.5 days food is basically 30 lbs. Carrying my Osprey Atmos 65 pack and using my Durston X-mid tent as usual.

Ed and I are leaving this afternoon to hike Shenandoah for 8-10 days. We will be hiking all of the AT through Shenandoah National Park. At the present time, all the revenue generating facilities in the park are open even with the Federal Government Shutdown. That includes camp grounds, camp sites, and waysides. That is critical as we will plan to resupply from the camp grounds and waysides very 2 days or so.

One bit challenge will be water. Fall is normally dry in that area, but to make things worse this has been a bad drought year. We have at least one 2-day water carry. I am not looking forward to carrying 2-days worth of water (almost 10lbs).

I spent several hours getting all my gear ready for our 8-10 day NOBO hike from Waynesboro, VA to Front Royal, VA. I had to tweak my gear loadout for the cold weather as well as a few lessons learned from this summer.

I finished my new Web Site for blogging last night. This new waste is much easier for the readers as well as much simpler and faster for me to post to. I moved over most of my old content and am looking t forward to seeing how my blogging goes over the next 2 weeks.

Ed will pick me up in Poolesville around 4:00pm and then drive us about 2 hours to Front Royal, VA. We are staying Monday night at a B&B / Hostel that we have used before. We will leave Ed’s car at the hostel, shuttle to Waynesboro, VA Tuesday morning, and then hike back to Front Royal.

The weather looks great other than a chance of rain on Wednesday. Cool, clear, and breezy weather. Perfect fall hiking weather.
Epilogue – Harper’s Ferry to Front Royal Fail

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.

All’s well that ends well.
Day 5 – Manassas Gap Shelter to Mountain Home B&B
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 Gap

Crossing 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.

Dinner in Front Royal

Technical Notes:
- Payday – 250
- Chomps – 100
- Coke – 140
- Mixed berry juice – 150
- Cheese Fries – 500
- Bacon Bean soup – 340
- Ruben Sandwich – 780
- Guinness – 158
- Old Fashioned – 176
- Water liters: 4
- Miles: 10.4
- Time: 6:45
- Elevation gain: 1988
- Elevation descent: 2612
- Calories consumed: 2581
- Calories burned: 2558
Day 4 – Rod Hollow Shelter to Manassas Gap shelter
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.

In bed at 7:30pm.

Technical Notes:
- Honey stinger waffle – 150
- Hazelnut nut butter – 200
- Trail mix – 180
- Payday – 250
- Ramen – 380
- Ramen – 380
- Water liters: 5
- Miles: 13.5
- Time: 9:10
- Elevation gain: 2979
- Elevation descent: 2267
- Calories consumed: 1550
- Calories burned: 3592
Day 3 – Sam Moore Shelter to Rod Hollow Shelter
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

Technical Notes:
- Honey stinger waffle – 150
- Hazelnut nut butter – 200
- Crackers – 190
- Chomps – 90
- Trail mix – 180
- Chomps – 90
- Ramen – 380
- Dehydrated chicken – 170
- Payday – 250
- Water liters: 3.4
- Miles: 7.1
- Time: 6:28
- Elevation gain: 2096
- Elevation descent: 2146
- Calories consumed: 1700
- Calories burned: 2679
Day 2 – Blackburn Trail Center to Sam Moore 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 center

Chuck 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

Technical Notes:
- Honey stinger waffle – 150
- Hazelnut nut butter – 200
- Lance crackers – 190
- Smoked sausage- 120
- Lance crackers – 190
- Payday – 250
- Mountain House teriyaki rice – 440
- Dehydrated chicken – 170
- Lance crackers – 190
- Trail mix – 180
- Water liters: 2.7
- Miles: 13.9
- Time: 8:16
- Elevation gain: 2844
- Elevation descent: 3307
- Calories consumed: 2080
- Calories burned: 3334