Begin: Day 122- Tuesday, August 20, Daleville, VA
End: Day 131- Thursday, August 29, Bland, VA
Most Trail Miles in a day this period: 19.6
Total Trail Miles Hiked: 1323
Miles to Springer Mtn., GA: 592
A lot is packed into this post in an attempt to being it up to date while we have internet availability.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Day 122- Tuesday 8/20
Start: Daleville, VA - 731.7
End: Lamberts Meadow Shelter - 721.2
Miles: 10.5
Ascent: 2200 | Descent: 1450
Cool morning weather has returned today, although we had a late start to our hike, not leaving the hostel until 10 am. The trail headed into the woods and up to a pine forest up on a ridgeline above Daleville.
It was a nice hike with a breeze building as the morning progressed. There were interesting rock formations on the ridge and occasionally a rocky cliff area gave us views of the nearby cities and a reservoir. At one of these overlooks we both had a cell signal and I ended up taking a work related call there on the trail.
In the afternoon, after moving off the ridge, we saw a couple of baby birds on the forest floor. They froze long enough for me to snap a couple of pictures, then flew off.
Although it was not a long day, we were tired when we reached our tentsite. I suspect we both may still be a little fatigued from the big push into Daleville last week.
Day 123- Wednesday 8/21
Start: Lamberts Meadow Shelter - 721.2
End: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA - 704.9
Miles: 16.3
Ascent: 3834 | Descent: 3970
What an interesting day! The hike weaved between giant boulders that made Trail Horse feel like we were walking through the Flinstones neighborhood of Bedrock. Then the trail took us to the northernmost feature of the Virginia Triple Crown: Tinker Cliffs. For about a quarter of a mile we walked along cliffs overlooking a valley dotted with farm houses. From here we were able to see the next Triple Crown feature, McAfee Knob, a rock feature that cantilevers out from the cliff face of the mountain. It is another place of spectacular views of the valleys below which we reached before lunch. The southernmost feature of the Triple Crown, Dragon’s Tooth, is on tomorrow’s hike. For geological information on the VA Triple Crown, check out this site.
This morning we had a couple of odd animal encounters. The first involved two bucks on a ridge. They were close to the trail, and when they saw us, the smaller one jumped back a few paces down slope. The larger buck took several steps toward us then stopped with his front leg raised. While looking at us he quickly lifted his head in the air twice. Seeing this, Trail Horse told me to get moving because that was a warning sign for us.
Just before stopping for lunch we spotted a bear on the trail. We began to make a lot of noise to let it know we were near. At first it ignored us, but eventually looked at us before zig-zagging across the trail at a trot, attempted to climb a tree only to jump down and run to a log near the trail, instead of running off like most bears do. It was then that another hiker decided to pass us, not really worried about the bear. The bear did not care for the approaching hiker and did a small bluff charge by briefly getting up on the hind feet and stomping the ground with the front paws. We continued on past the bear with trekking poles high above our heads to look bigger, it watching us as we watched it. Later we met a trail volunteer who believes that this is the same bear displaying similar behavior with others and they are concerned that this adolescent bear may be growing into a problem bear.
The afternoon was uneventful. The day ended at a hostel located about a half mile off trail near Catawba, VA. Donna, the host, made spaghetti for dinner and drove Trail Horse to a general store for resupply.
Day 124- Thursday 8/22
Start: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, VA - 704.9
End: Niday Shelter site - 688.1
Miles: 16.8
Ascent: 4190 | Descent: 4126
Trail Horse made eggs with cheese and pancakes with a banana for breakfast before heading back out to the trail at 7 am.
We had a rocky climb up to the ridgeline, then a boulder climb to reach the blue blaze for the southernmost feature of the VA Triple Crown: Dragon’s Tooth. The tooth is a prominent monolith on the mountain slope. Here we met a professional hockey player, missing front tooth to-boot, from the Roanoke team.
Day 125- Friday 8/23
Start: Niday Shelter site - 688.1
End: Laurel Creek Shelter site - 675.5
Miles: 12.6
Ascent: 2973 | Descent: 2152
Today started with hiking three miles up to reach the ridge of Sinking Creek Mountain which turned out to be on the Eastern Continental Divide. Hiking on the ridge primarily consisted of walking on large rock slabs that jutted out of the mountain at 45 degrees. Eventually the trail turned towards the west and down into a valley. It was in this valley that a former supervisor of Trail Horse became a trail angel for a day. Steve lives near the trail and is a regular hiker, thus he knew what we might like to have as a treat. He parked at a trailhead and brought BBQ, drinks, and chairs with backs, but the best thing was that he simply spent time to hang out with us for a couple of hours. It was really nice to have a resemblance of home, right there on the trail.
Day 126- Saturday 8/24
Start: Laurel Creek Shelter site - 675.5
End: Pine Swamp Shelter site - 657.0
Miles: 18.5
Ascent: 4131 | Descent: 4359
It was a long day with two big climbs before lunch (3,300’ in 9.5 miles). The only view for the day was found just after lunch, looking at mountains to the west and north. When looking at the profile of the day’s route, we thought the hike after lunch would not be too hard. However, the trail was often over grown with prickly brambles or covered with a lot of rocks. It took me nearly 12 hours to complete the 18.5 miles.
Day 127- Sunday 8/25
Start: Pine Swamp Shelter site - 657.0
End: Pearisburg VA 100 - 637.4
Miles: 19.6
Ascent: 3417 | Descent: 4340
The trail followed the WV-VA border for most of the day. This section seems to be seldom used as the trail was overgrown. In the afternoon the trail crossed over a meadow with fantastic views of valleys in WV. From this pointin, and down to a parking lot on the outskirts of Pearisburg, the trail appeared to be well used. Once at the parking lot, we called a hostel to pick us up. Today’s hike was a mile longer than yesterday yet we finished it in just over ten hours thanks to less ascent and a kinder ground surface.
Day 128- Monday 8/26
Zero day at Angels Rest Hostel
Our first zero day since Tropical Storm Debby, and it was definitely needed by both of us. My athletes foot has returned, providing solid proof that I should not be wearing waterproof shoes… My toes are in a bit of pain so I picked up some medicine. Trail Horse’s knee has been bothering him. Maybe the non-hiking day will be enough to calm the knee down.
Photos through Pearisburg can be found in the “08-10 VA Central” folder. Sorting by name is recommended.
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
Day 129- Tuesday 8/27
Start: Pearisburg VA 100 - 637.4
End: Wood’s Hole - 625.7
Miles: 11.7
Ascent: 3377 | Descent: 1839
Once again we start out fresh, wearing cleaned clothes and begin our 4.5 mile ascent from elevation 1600’ to 2040’. In these conditions the fresh clean feeling quickly diminishes. At least the hike was very pleasant. Part way up we sat on Angels Rest Rock and looked down into Pearisburg. Then once close to the top we stopped at another overlook with cellar service to reach out to various hostels to see which ones are still open. We have recently discovered that several hostels seem to primarily cater to the northbound crowd are closed during the month of August. This, and the lack of water, has lead us to get creative with developing a plan for the days ahead.
We saw another bear this morning, at least it behave like a normal bear and it ran away from us. As it ran away, I wondered where it gets its water from.
After lunch Trail Horse tripped and fell, cutting his thumb. I did a quick cleanup on the trail and cleaned it again once we arrived at Wood’s Hole Hostel.
Wood’s Hole Hostel is a special place on the AT. I could probably write a whole blog post about it. (Oh! There is a great intro to backpacking seminar here in September). The first person to thru-hike the AT as a flip-flop, Single Track, and his wife, Caribbean Queen (Jimmy & Hilda) happened to be here. It was interesting to hear that the ATC discouraged him from the flip-flop back in 2000, and now they heavily promote it.
Day 130- Wednesday 8/28
Start: VA 606, Kimberling Rd - 610.5
End: Wood’s Hole Hostel - 625.7
Miles: 15.2
Ascent: 2950 | Descent: 1847
Today we slack-packed the section south of Wood’s Hole by hiring a shuttle to take us to a trailhead 16 miles down the trail, then we hiked north back to the hostel. This method allowed us to carry just the essentials and to easily start out with plenty of water. We also get to eat some more of the fantastic food from Wood’s Hole, and spend one more afternoon at this lovely place.
Our shuttle driver picked us up after our giant, delicious breakfast and we started our hike just before 9. It was mostly an uphill hike, with only a few of the climbs being steep. Other than a deer and a giant black snake, there was not a lot of wildlife. Nor was there much water. There were several foot bridges on the trail that traversed very dry creek beds. Eventually we found a pool of water with a tiny trickle feeding it that would have to do for our afternoon water supply.
With my pack weight reduced from 30 pounds down to 12, I felt pretty good on today’s hike. There were not many places to sit and rest along the way, plus we were looking forward to getting back to Wood’s Hole, so we made pretty good time on the hike, covering 16 miles in seven hours. But I have to admit that I was tired when we got back. After some rest and a good meal, I just may be ready for tomorrow’s big day.
Day 131- Thursday 8/29
Start: VA 606, Kimberling Rd - 610.5
End: Bland, VA - 592.1
Miles: 18.4
Ascent: 4045 | Descent: 3170
After another great breakfast we said goodbyes to Neville, Jaws and Single Track. Our shuttle driver picked us up to return us to the same spot we got dropped off yesterday. Instead of heading north, today we hiked south. With the dry conditions there were no water sources for the first 17 miles of today’s hike, therefore we carried an extra three liers of water with us this morning.
It was just the right amount of water for today’s hike that really did not have any features or events of note. Around 5:30 we arrived at US 52 and called for a shuttle to take is to a motel in Bland, VA. I must say that it has been kind of fun discovering some of these mom and pop motels. Today’s very clean motel off of US 77 is worthy of much more business than what we saw this afternoon.
Click above to view photos of Southern Virginia found in the “08-27 VA South” folder.
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