Mile 727

Since leaving Damascus we've picked up the pace and trying to get at least 20 mile days in except for town days. I pasted my mileage log at the bottom for numbers people.  We is now me (Diva Dan), Effie (Baby Wipe), and Luna the trail dog (Luner).  The others we were hiking with are a couple days behind but will hopefully catch up. On the plus side as we go faster we get to meet totally new groups of hikers.

So far Virginia is my least favorite state.  Sorry Virginia, but you are hot as hell  (90+ and humid), prone to severe thunderstorms, have many biting insects, and have long stretches with no water, which isn't particularly cold, clean, or flowing when it is available. On the other hand the wild berries are increasingly abundant and the trail magic has been the best yet (certainly most appreciated). And of course there have been some scenic stretches, notably around Grayson Highlands, Mt Rogers and McAfee Knob, and some beautiful meadow hiking. The most scenic stretches of VA are still to come along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah NP.

Some gear changes: 1. trying out hiking in Tevas as my NB Minimus 1010 trail runners are just about done, and my feet are frequently wet. 2.The bug net I made didn't hold up and Effie is carrying a big heavy tent so we are going to try sharing my old Tarptent and use the tarp I have for a camp/gear shelter during rain. If that doesn't work I'll have to get a new bug net 3. sending solar charger home as I think I can get by charging in town. 4. Sending extra socks home.

Best pictures from this section:

Camping up on Whitetop Mt. Nice view but lots of condensation in the morning.

Wild horse near Mt Rogers. They are all over and have no fear of humans.

Flowering rhododendrons around the Grayson Highlands

The 1/4 of the way there marker

Nice woman gave us a ride out of Pearisburg and ice cream sandwiches to go.

View of Pearisburg

Enjoying some trail magic at an old schoolhouse

Sunrise hike out of Rice Field with fog filled valley.

Biggest Oak tree in the south, supposedly.

The 1 quart smoothie from Woods Hole Hostel/Farm

VA meadows

That tree fell in the middle of the night about 15' from the tent in a wind storm.

Found this spider, about the size of my palm, on the tent in the morning. 

6AM departure from 4 Pines Hostel, a friendly by donation place, to try to beat the heat.

Hanging on McAfee Knob

Nice ridge trail

Blackberries!

And endless blueberries to be picked. I'm not sure if the heat or berry picking slows me down more.

A 26 mile hike to Daleville in 100 degree heat and a package from home made the day!

Mileage Log:

5-7 16 mi to Hawk Mt Shelter

5-8 16.2 mi Lance Creek, resupply at neel gap/ mountain crossing

5-9 18.9 to Low Gap

5-10 15.4 to Tray Mt shelter

5-11 11 to Dick's Creek Gap, Top of GA hostel, into hiawassee to resupply

5-12 18.4 to Standing Indian Mt summit

5-13 23 to Winding Stair Gap, to Franklin to resupply

5-14 8.2 to Wine Spring

5-15 ~17 to between Jumpup Lookout & A Rufus Morgan

5-16 2 to NOC, resupply

5-17 16.2 to Brown Fork Gap

5-18 12.8 to Fontana Dam Shelter, resupply in Fontana Village. Rip off!

5-19 13.9 to Russell Field Shelter, first night in Smokey's

5-20 16.7 to Double Spring Gap

5-21 21.6 to Pecks Corner

5-22 20.4 to Davenport Gap Shelter- calf/ankle sore

5-23 3.4 to Standing Bear hostel. 

5-24 7.4 to Groundhog Creek Shelter

5-25 13.3 to Walnut Mt Shelter

5-26 13.1 to Hot Springs, resupply

5-27 0 day

5-28 14.9 to Allen Gap

5-29 14.9 to spring after Big Butt

5-30 12 to Hogback Ridge Shelter

5-31 15.8 to Spivey Gap

6-1 11.2 to Erwin, Uncle Johnny's Hostel

6-2 17 to Cherry Gap Shelter

6-3 15.4 to Ash Gap

6-4 18.4 to Mountain Harbor Hostel

6-5 18.7 to Moreland Gap Shelter

6-6 16 to after Shook Branch, additional 4-5 miles of pavement around Dennis Cove and back tracking after bear encounter.

6-7 22.6 to Double Springs Shelter

6-8 to 18.5 to Damascus

6-9 0 day

6-10 21.6 to Whitetop MT Rd

6-11 22 to Hurricane Mountain Shelter

6-12 18.8 to Partnership Shelter,  Marion resupply

6-13 23.5 to route 42, Ceres, VA

6-14 22.1 to Jenkins Shelter.  Hot/humid and 8 mile stretch with no water. 

6-15 13 to Bland.  Miss Janet gave us a ride to Big Walker Motel

6-16 23.8 (+ 2.5 on road out of Bland, couldn't get a hitch) to campsite after Dismal Falls. Continued hot and bad water until Falls.

6-17 25.1 to Pearisburg (extra 1 mile to Woods Hole for smoothies, cheese/bread).  Resupply in Pearisburg.

6-18 6.9 to Rice Field Shelter, caught in thunderstorm on way up from pburg, heavy wind and rain storm over night

6-19 25.3 to Warspur Shelter

6-20 20.1 to Craig Creek Rd.  Heavy rain after hot day of hiking.

6-21 15.4 to Catawba market/4 Pines Hostel.  Thought tstorms were coming, but never got too bad.  Should have kept hiking. 

6-22 26.1 to Daleville (.4 on road from 4 Pines Hostel).6AM start, hot last 10 miles with no water.