Tag: Virginia

  • Day 52 – Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, VA

    Day 52 – Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, VA

    Today’s Miles: 10.3

    Trip Miles: 479.1

    “Carry me back yeah to old Virginia

    That’s where the cotton and corn and taters grow

    That’s where the birds yeah warble sweet in the spring-time

    That’s where this heart of mine, yeah longs to go” – Ray Charles

    Up at 7:00. Sunny, breezy, mid-60s. Out of camp at 8:00. It’s getting very humid and the green tunnel isn’t helping.

    10:55 crossed the Virginia / Tennessee state line.

    Orange Man crossing into Virginia
    Virginia / Tennessee Line

    Today should be easier than this. Left Achilles is hurting as well as both feet. I got past this a few weeks ago and it’s all back now. The last two days doing 16 miles was harder than the 18s last week. I guess it’s the 3 days off? Hopefully I get past this crap quick. 

    I don’t plan on a full zero day for 2 to 4 weeks depending on a bunch of factors. I need to make miles!

    Got to Damascus at 12:30. Made good time. Nice quiet little town. The trail runs right through town and down the sidewalk of Main Street.

    Welcome to Damascus, VA
    Damascus, VA sidewalk is the AT

    Got an early check-in at Dancing Bear Inn. It’s someplace between a hostel and B&B. Quite nice and quiet . Very nice owner.

    Dancing Bear Inn, Damascus VA
    Private room at Dancing Bear Inn
    The parlor at Dancing Bear Inn

    I’m in the Duck bedroom. And it has a duck!

    The Duck in The Duck Room

    Showered, got laundry done, charged electronics, did resupply shopping at the outfitter in town then walked a mile to the local grocery store and back. I had to say goodbye to an old pair of friends that I have been hiking with for over a year.:(

    Goodbye to my original water bottles

    They were both leaking. They have done me well. Replaced with a new 1-liter and a new .7-liter Smart Water bottle. Also picked up a pair of Injinji socks and a SUPER lightweight Outdoor Research shirt (orange) that has amazing wicking and quick drying material. The new short sleeve that Dana brought me in Johnson City was an utter failure in terms of material, wicking, and drying. I’ll keep it for now as a camp shirt, but probably ditch it due to weight soon. 

    Had a nice dinner with an older section hiker named Larry at the local diner. Talked for close to 2 hours. Very cool dude. Had a good local bourbon at the local distillery. 

    I got all my food sorted and packed. Got a 5-day food carry coming up. Ugh. That’s heavy, and my next resupply is at a Sunoco station at I-81 & US 11 near Atkinson, VA on Sunday or Monday. 

    Videoed with Dana to finalize the resupply box headed to Eric Hanson later next week. Lots of lessons learned going into this resupply box 🙂

    I have about 16 miles tomorrow with 2 good climbs. And the forecast is sketchy…mixed thunderstorms and very humid the next 2 days.

    Chilled in my room, updated blogs, and read till close to midnight.

    Day 52 Map – Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, VA

    Technical Notes:

    • Pop-Tarts 370
    • Payday 240
    • Trail mix 270
    • Payday 240
    • Hamburgers x 2 650
    • Green beans 100
    • Mashed potatoes 220
    • Bourbon x 2 300
    • Pepperoni 250
    • Water liters 3.4
    • Miles 10.2
    • Time 4:30
    • Elevation gain 2500
    • Calories consumed 3700
    • Calories burned 3000
  • Day 3 – Blackburn Trail Center to Keys Gap

    Day 3 – Blackburn Trail Center to Keys Gap

    Wednesday August 2, 2023.

    Feet hurt!! Could have gone on, but pain sucks. Pack is bothering my back and waist. Both feet and Achilles issues. The later need addressed before they turn into something bad!

    Developed a bad case of monkey butt. I forgot to pre-treat this morning:(

    I lost 7 lbs on this hike. I know some is water, but still!

    Pitcrew picked me up at the parking area at Keys Gap.

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 2
    • Miles: 6.7
    • Time: 3:30
    • Elevation gain: 730
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: 1150
  • Day 2 – Bear’s Den to Blackburn Trail Center 

    Day 2 – Bear’s Den to Blackburn Trail Center 

    Tuesday August 1, 2023. Hot and humid.

    Up at 7:45 with alarm. Had breakfast, got ready, and on trail at 9:00 am.

    Only 8.5 mile day in 6:45 hours. First 5 miles was VA rollercoaster. Really killed me after 15 miles yesterday. Did several breaks to rest my sore feet today.

    Feet hurt a lot by mile 4 and were problematic all day.

    Got to Blackburn at 3:45. Feet really hurt and that issue in left ankle was bad today. Could not have gone much further!

    Chuck at Blackburn Trail Center 2023

    Got unpacked and bedding set up by 4:30. Only person in the 4 person bunk house so far. No electricity but 4 walks and a roof. S my till a lot better than a shelter. Had recovery mix a bit late.

    Went to screened porch and chilled and charged phone.

    Blackburn Trail Center porch 2023

    Feet still sore. Tomorrow will be interesting, but I have much longer to rest tonight and a fairly easy hike once I climb back up the .3 miles onto the AT from Blackburn.

    Ate dinner at 7:15. Nice talk with Adam the caretaker. Gave me cookies and a chocolate bar. Done and cleaned up about 7:55. The curry noodles were good and spicy!!!!

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 3
    • Miles: 8.5
    • Time: 7:30
    • Elevation gain: ??
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: ??

  • Day 1 – Ashby Gap (Route 50) to Bear’s Den

    Day 1 – Ashby Gap (Route 50) to Bear’s Den

    Monday July 31, 2023. Hot and humid.

    Pitcrew drove me to Ashby Gap about 9:00am. Goal is to get to Bear’s den before 9:00 pm. Sam Moore Shelter was backup (10 miles).

    Hiked 15 miles in 9.5 hours including the southern 2/3 of VA roller coaster (11 miles). Very hard day. Took 30 minutes for lunch. I got to Bear’s Den at 8:15 pm. Worried I would not make it by 9:00 pm! Exhausted when I got there, but felt decent.

    Bear’s Den on the AT 2023

    Talked to nice mom and son who are slackpacking his final few miles. They stayed in a camper van but used showers. 

    Ate dinner around 10:00pm. Went back to bunk room and face timed Dana and read till 1:00 am.

    Bear’s Den bunkroom on the AT 2023


    YouTube video of Bear’s Den bunkroom 2023

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 3
    • Miles: 15
    • Time: 12:00
    • Elevation gain: ??
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: ??
  • Day 3 – Whiskey Hollow Shelter to Ashby Gap

    Day 3 – Whiskey Hollow Shelter to Ashby Gap

    Wednesday July 19, 2023. Mostly sunny, 87 degrees, humidity lower than previous days.

    Up at 7:00. Decent sleep in shelter.

    Made breakfast Mike’s Recovery Mix (256), Honey Stinger (150), Justin’s Nut Butter (200).

    My feet were hurting a bit and had a bad blister on left big toe. Decided I could not make it through the Virginia roller coaster. Got the number of a shuttle from the guy met last night.

    Packed up, topped water and headed out at 8:53.

    Hiked 3 miles and found a nice rock to take a rest on with 2 base service. Started calling shuttles. Third call with no luck. Finally the guy that I got the number from last night texted me. He had a change in plans can could pick me up at Ashby gap in about 90 minutes If I could be there. I booked the last 2.4 miles to Rt 50 Ashby gap. Waited bout 45 minutes for driver.

    Great guy who drove me to Bear’s Den at about 1:45. 540-830-5778

    I picked up my truck and drove home. Got home about 4:00.

    Did not see another person all morning.

    If not for the blister, I could have hiked the final 3 miles north to the shelter, but my feet would have been really hurting. The thought of 10 miles the following day through heavy rocks in the roller coaster was a no-go.

    Pack was ok, but I think I need a fundamentally different style. Won’t make any changes until I loose a lot more weight however.

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 2
    • Miles: 4.6
    • Time: 4:0
    • Elevation gain: 560
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: ??
  • Day 2 – Denton Shelter to Whiskey Hollow Shelter

    Day 2 – Denton Shelter to Whiskey Hollow Shelter

    Tuesday July 18, 2023. Mostly sunny, 87 degrees, humid.

    Woke about 7:00. Had a cold breakfast, cleaned up, broke camp and headed north at 8:40. Left foot and calf hurt a but in the morning.

    Mike’s recovery mix (256 cal) Honey Stinger (150 cal), Justins Nut Butter (200 cal).

    Hiked 5.5 miles to Manassas Gap shelter. Stopped for an hour and had lunch. Took a good break with shoes off and stretched feet.

    Manassas Gap Shelter on second shakedown hike in 2023

    1/4 pepperoni (175 cal), trail mix (140 cal)

    Topped off water at spring. Great flow.

    Water filtering on second shakedown hike in 2023

    Met a guy my age also headed north. He stopped for water. Hiked about 2.5 miles north with him. Chatted a bit. Helped pass the time. Things got steep and I could not keep pace with him.

    Hiked another 5.5 miles north to Whiskey Hollow shelter. Arrived at 4:00. Group of 15 kids there for an overnight camp. I decided to try the shelter as limited tent sites. Set up camp in the shelter and got water from creek. 

    Whiskey Hollow Shelter on second shakedown hike in 2023

    Mike’s Recovery Mix (256 cal)

    Felt lonely and anxious. Very! Texted with Dana about it. 

    Had a hot meal. Mountain House Mexican rice and chicken (660 cal), dehydrated sausage (220). Boiled 16oz for 4 minutes.

    Guy my age on a section hike arrived about 6:00. Chatted for a while. He tented up on the road and then came back to the shelter to make dinner. Nice guy from Illinois. Talked a while before he went back to his tent. 

    Camp at Whiskey Hollow Shelter on second shakedown hike in 2023

    No cell connectivity. Texting sketchy. Old guy showed up around 8:45 and set up in shelter. I eventually took a xanax and tried to go to sleep.  Maybe fell asleep around 11:00. My damn pillow woke me up with a leak in the middle of the night. Need to contact the manufacturer.

    Glad I sheltered. Thunderstorm and heavy rain in middle of night and early morning.

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 3
    • Miles: 10
    • Time: 7:30
    • Elevation gain: 2157
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: ??
  • Day 1 – Front Royal to Denton Shelter

    Day 1 – Front Royal to Denton Shelter

    Monday July 17, 2023. Sunny, 89 degrees, very humid, smoky from Canadian fires.

    We dropped off my truck at Bear’s Den parking lot and Pitcrew dropped me off in Front Royal on Rt 522 at 4:00pm. Hiked north 5.46 miles to the Denton shelter. Arrived about 6:40. Set up camp. Decent tent sites and a nice shelter.

    Denton Shelter on second shakedown hike in 2023

    Topped off water at spring. Slow flow but not too bad.

    The local ridge runner was camping there. Had a good conversation with him. A father and son showed up later. 

    Had a late lunch at 3:00, so had a light cold dinner. Mike’s recovery mix (256 cal) Hone Stinger (150 cal), Justins Nut Butter (200 cal) and M&Ms (170 cal).

    Went to bed about 9:30. It was very humid in the tent. No way I could sleep. Took a muscle relaxer, partially removed the rain fly to get air, and messed on iphone till real late. Got to sleep around midnight. So-so sleep.

    Had a bit of anxiety that night again. Same old thing…isolated, limited connectivity, etc.

    Technical Notes:

    • Water liters: 1
    • Miles: 5.46
    • Time: 2:40
    • Elevation gain: 1000
    • Elevation descent: ??
    • Calories consumed: ??
    • Calories burned: ??