Starting Point: Trimpi Shelter (524.6)

Ending Point: Partnership Shelter (534.4)

Total miles: 9.8 miles

Steps: 24,989

Injuries: Intercostal Strain

Achievements: Shelter Pizza

With just 10 miles to go to the next resupply point in Marion, VA, the logical thing to do is just pound the miles.  Although it was over 80 degrees, the hike was not difficult.  It is supposed to storm tomorrow, so we’ll stay in town.  To save money, we hiked to the last shelter, just 0.2 miles from the road.  We’ll go into town tomorrow. Therefore, I needed to hike just 10 miles.

Needless to say, my motivation was completely lacking.  First, I slept in.  Then I hiked three miles to a scenic point.  I had good reception, so I updated my blog.  I became hungry, so I ate my lunch.  Then I decided I needed a nap.  I didn’t get into the shelter until nearly 3:00 p.m.  I think that is about 1.5 mph.

As I wrote a couple of days ago, some hikers came into our camp and after a good conversation, gave us $40 for pizza a Marion.  We honored that gift.

Needless to say, I ate it in one sitting.

Tomorrow, we’ll go into town and resupply for four days.

 

Starting Point: Dispersed Camp Site (476.8)

Ending Point: Elk Garden (495.2)

Total miles: 18.3 miles

Steps: 43,510

Injuries: Intercostal Strain

Achievements:

Not much to say about today other than putting on miles.  We hiked until we found a space big enough for all of us.

Overall a pleasant day.

Ending Point: Dispersed Camp Site (476.8)

Today was a memorial day.  We woke up.

Let me stop there.  I keep saying we, but I haven’t explained who we is.  I’m currently hiking with the last of the original Backstop Boys, the Sweeper.  I’ve also been hiking with Captain Blogger.  Finally, I’m hiking with Kea, who is originally from New Zealand.  I’ll try and do better about that.  The concept of HYOH (hike your own hike) makes tramily (trail family) something more like a VH1 special, but that is the way it works.

We woke up to make it to Damascus by 8:00 a.m.  That was when the pitstop started.

8:00 a.m. – The Damascus Diner for breakfast.  Grits, Biscuits and Gravy, three eggs over easy, four sausages, breakfast potatoes, and endless cups of coffee while charging our phones.

9:00 a.m. – The Outfitter to buy new shorts and underwear, because the old ones no longer fit.  Also picked up electrolytes.

10:00 a.m. – Walk to the grocery store for four days of resupply.

11:00 a m. – Walk to the AT visitor center.  Break down food into my food bag.

12:00 p.m. – Walk to a local hostel for a $5 laundry and shower.  Wait for clothes.

2:00 p.m. – Walk to local wing restaurant for lunch.  An older couple asks if we are hiking the AT.  They pay for our lunches.

3:00 p.m  – Hit the trail out.  Hike six miles.

6:00 p.m. – Another older couple walking comes by.  Asks us if we are hiking the AT.  Gives us $40 and tells up to get pizza in Marion on them.

Not making this up.  Captain Blogger and I enjoyed a campfire with Duck and Ranger.

It was great to share stories with others.  It was a good day!

Ending Point: Dispersed Camp Site (468.8)

I jerked awake this morning.  The sun has risen, but there was a light rain pattering on my tent.  I knew it was going to rain, so everything was ready.  I broke camp quickly and was on the trail.

It was cold, but I knew about noon the sun would come out, so it was bearable.

And, the sun did come out.

My back was sore all day.  That is to be expected as I pattled yesterday.

I reached the Virginia border.  The trail flattens out and my mileage should increase.  We camped two miles out of Damascus.  We’ll get up early and get some breakfast. Our goal is to not spend the night.

Ending Point: Double Spring Shelter (452.5)

Total miles: 23.7 miles

Steps: 10,006 Paddles: 30,000+

Injuries: Intercostal Strain

Achievements: Aqua Blaze

Although I certainly enjoyed my PCT hike, there are a few things I swore I’d do differently if I were to do it again.

First, I’d take way more pictures of the people I hiked with.  Second, I’d hike my own hike from the very beginning.  Finally, I swore I would have more fun.

I had to complete the PCT by October 1st.  I was constantly on the clock.  I’d wake up a 5:30 and be hiking by 6.  I’d run through a town without stopping.  I didn’t hang out with other hikers.

Now that I’m on the AT, there are some opportunities to do somethings other than just hiking.  One that really interested me was Aqua Blazing.  Instead of hiking, kayak the trail.  The first opportunity to do that is Watauga Lake, and we took it.  It was a blast.

Now, I know that you might think that paddling was way easier than hiking, but you would be mistaken.  It was very hard work   I can’t even hold my phone up right now.  My arms are cashed.

More importantly, it was fun.

I’ll certainly remember today for a very long time.

Starting Point: Hampton, TN (420.4)

Total miles: 8.4 slack pack trail miles.

Steps: 20,420

Injuries: Intercostal Strain

Achievements: Laurel Fork Falls