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MARYLAND
Day 101. 1-Oct. Milepost: 1144.1 miles, Daily: 19.2. Ascent: 3180′, Descent: 3220′, Highest: 1925′. Camp: Pine Knob Shelter, 0.6 mile N of I-70, 1370′. Entered MARYLAND! Lots of rocks and climbing in beautiful weather.
Day 102, 2-Oct. Milepost: 1165.5 miles, Daily: 21.4. Ascent: 2665′, Descent: 3700′, Highest: 1750′. Camp: Cross Trails Hostel, Knoxville, MD, 450′. Hiked through two state parks. includes Washington Monument SP, and civil war sites.
WEST VIRGINIA
Day 103, 3-Oct. Milepost: 1167.2 miles, Daily: 1.7′. Town: The Town’s Inn, Harpers Ferry ,WV, 375′. Short walk across the Potomac to Harpers Ferry where I will resupplied and will pick up a few things at the P.O. on Oct 4.
Day 104, 4-Oct. Milepost: 1176.3 miles, Daily: 9.1, Ascent: 1885′, Descent: 910′, Highest: 1515′. Camp: David Lesser Shelter, Blue Ridge 1380′. Hiked out of Harpers Ferry after picking up care packages, Leki poles and bounce bucket at Post Office.
Day 105, 5-Oct. Milepost: 1197.4 miles, Daily: 21.1, Ascent: 4790′, Descent: 5355′, Highest: 1630′. Camp: Rod Hollow Shelter, Blue Ridge, 900′. 21 miles including the “rollercoaster” for 14 miles, 10 climbs totalling 3,400 feet of ascent.
VIRGINIA
Day 106, 6-Oct. Milepost: 1215.8 miles, Daily: 18.4, Ascent: 3745′, Descent: 3285′, Highest: 2100′, Camp: Denton Shelter, Blue Ridge, 1295′. Fog turned to rain in afternoon; hilly green tunnel forest with a few pastures; well graded nice trail.
Day 107, 7-Oct. Milepost: 1221.0 miles, Daily: 5.2, Ascent: 615′, Descent: 980′, Highest: 1930′ Town: Front Royal, PA. Short, easy hike to Hwy 522 and resupply in Front Royal.
Day 108, 8-Oct. Milepost: 1234.4 miles, Daily: 13.4, Ascent: 3605′, Descent: 2085′, Highest: 3375′. Camp: Gravel Springs Hut, Shenandoah NP, 2480′. Left Front Royal, started hiking at 9:30. Gradual ascent to Shenandoah National Park. Had nice conversation with AT section hikers.
Day 109, 9-Oct. Milepost: 1251.9 miles, Daily: 17.5. Ascent: 4300′, Descent: 3645′, Highest: 3505′. Camp: Byrds Nest #3 Hut, 3670′. Foggy, misty and light rain shrouded views of Shenandoah NP. Hiked with Cindy’s cousin Herb who came with trail magic! We hiked to Marys Rock for the foggy view.
Day 110, 10-Oct. Milepost: 1268.1 miles, Daily: 16.2. Ascent: 3160′, Descent: 3145′, Highest: 3825′. Camp: Stealth campsite 1 mile S of Big Meadows, Shenandoah NP, 3315′. Foggy, misty and light rain again. Visited Skyland and Big Meadows Lodges for snacks and break from weather.
Day 111, 11-Oct. Milepost: 1288.6 miles, Daily: 20.5, Ascent: 3660′, Descent: 4290′, Highest: 3795′. Camp: 0.7m south of Smith Roach Gap, Shenandoah NP, 2580′. Rain stopped, sun appeared and lifted spirits while hiking 20 miles to a well hidden stealth camp.
Day 112, 12-Oct. Milepost: 1308.1 miles, Daily: 19.5, Ascent: 3915′, Descent: 3890′, Highest: 3355′. Camp: Blackrock Hut, Shenandoah NP 2595′. Overnight rain (again) ended and much nicer weather prevailed allowing a few nice views. Had nice talk with section hikers at the hut. I camped in my tent.
Day 113,13-Oct. Milepost: 1328.8 miles, Daily: 20.7, Ascent: 3955′, Descent: 4730′, Highest: 3080′, Town: Waynesboro (Stanimal’328 Hostel). Started hiking at 5:45am; sunny and warm in afternoon as I hiked to Rockfish Gap for NERO in Waynesboro.
Day 114, 14-Oct. Milepost: 1333.6 miles, Daily: 4.8, Ascent: 625′, Descent: 920′, Highest: 2110′. Camp: Paul Wolfe Shelter, 1595′. NERO in Waynesboro to resupply. NEW SHOES! Very short, pleasant hike to streamside camp. Warm, sunny.
Day 115, 15-Oct. Milepost: 1352.5 miles, Daily: 18.9, Ascent: 4595′, Descent: 2350′, Highest: 3965′. Camp: Three Ridges summit, Three Ridges Wilderness, 3965′. Hiked 19 miles into Three Ridges Wilderness to ridgetop, highest camp since day 39 in New Hampshire. Warm day, wind blowing in camp.
Day 116, 16-Oct. Milepost: 1369.9 miles, Daily: 17.4, Ascent: 5010′, Descent: 5210′, Highest: 4080′. Camp: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, Washington National Forest, 3770′. Awesome sunrise while descending Three Ridges, followed by 3000′ ascent to The Priest ridge. 25 mph wind gusts and much cooler temperature. 62.5% of AT miles hiked.
Day 117, 17-Oct. Milepost: 1390.8 miles, Daily: 20.9 Ascent: 2810′, Descent: 5685′, Highest: 4050′. Camp: Lynchburg Reservoir Rd area, Blue Ridge Mtns, 1000′. 40 degrees in early morning! Great hiking weather with great sunny views from Cole Mtn. Long descent to 1000′ out of the wind. Met the Sutton family who thru-hiked the AT this year with their 5-year old boy.
Day 118, 18-Oct. Milepost: 1405.8 miles, Daily: 15.0, Ascent: 3820′, Descent: 4110′ Highest: 3350′. Town: Glasgow (Stanimal’s 328 Hostel). Great views from ridgetops on a chilly, windy morning. Warmed nicely for descent to James River. Joined three section hikers for Mexican dinner in Buena Vista. Nice, relaxing place to begin planning for colder weather into November and early December.
Day 119, 19-Oct. Milepost: 1413.5 miles, Daily: 7.7. Ascent: 2325′, Descent: 580′, Highest: 2610′. Camp: Marble Spring, James River Face Wilderness, 2350′. Excellent warm weather for climb above James River to a stealth camp in James River Face Wilderness. Short day on the trail after resupplying in Glasgow.
Day 120, 20-Oct. Milepost: 1432.9 milrd, Daily: 19.4. Ascent: 4985′, Descent: 5330′, Highest: 4250′. Camp: Ridgetop between North and Middle Creeks, Jefferson National Forest, 2025′. Cool weather and awesome hike over Apple Orchard Mtn (4,200′) and other ridgetops. Walked through deep layers of crisp, dry leaves on the trail. Camped alone on nice ridgetop. 65.3% completed, 760 miles to Springer Mountain!
Day 121, 21-Oct. Milepost: 1451.6 miles, Daily: 18.7, Ascent: 3775′, Descent: 3850′, Highest: 2705′. Camp: Wilson Creek Shelter, Jefferson Natl Forest, 1855′. Sunny weather until rain shower at 6pm. I was fatigued despite the well graded trail. Saw Peaks of Otter, last time was 1961!
Day 122, 22-Oct. Milepost: 1462.8 miles, Daily: 11.2, Ascent: 2320′, Descent: 2935′, Highest: 2625′. Town: Daleville. Hiked into Daleville at noon for resupply and rest.
Day 123, 23-Oct. Milepost: 1478.2 miles, Daily: 15.4, Ascent: 3765′, Descent: 2450′, Highest: 3020′. Camp: Campbell Shelter, 0.7 mile north of McAfee Knob, 2630′. Left Daleville; In excellent weather hiked along Tinker Cliffs with outstanding views that are a preview of tomorrow at McAfee Knob.
Day 124, 24-Oct. Milepost: 1495.2 miles, Daily: 17.0, Ascent: 3980′, Descent: 4760′, Highest: 3170′. Camp: Pickle Branch Shelter, 4.4 miles southbound from Dragons Tooth, Jefferson National Forest, 1850′. Reached McAfee Knob before sunrise; next, tedious climb to Dragons Tooth, both places crowded with weekend day hikers.
Day 125, 25-Oct. Milepost: 1511.3 miles, Daily: 16.1, Ascent: 4255′, Descent 2990′, Highest: 3450′. Camp: Sarver Hollow Shelter, Jefferson National Forest, 3080′. Two climbs to 3000′-plus ridgetops before rain began. Arrived at shelter just before heavy rain.
Day 126, 26-Oct. Milepost: 1532.5 miles, Daily: 21.2, Ascent: 4895′, Descent: 4870′, Highest: 4125′. Camp: Bailey Gap Shelter. Jefferson National Forest, 3515′. Departed camp at 5:30am by headlamp with plan to hike 21 miles to Bailey Gap Shelter. Chilly wind blew as I ascended two ridges, the second at 4100′. Hiked through two wilderness areas and a tedius 5-mile, rocky segment. Temperature fell to 40 degrees in late afternoon. Arrived at Bailey Gap Shelter in 12 hours 15 minutes.
Day 127, 27-Oct. Milepost: 1556.1 miles. Daily: 23.6, Ascent: 3865′, Descent: 5805′, Highest: 3860′. Town: Pearisburg, VA. Decided to hike all the way to Pearisburg. Long, nearly flat ridgetop and long descents helped. After 23.6 miles I arrived in darkness.
Day 128, 28-Oct. Zero day in Pearisburg, VA to resupply and receive cold weather gear.
Day 129, 29-Oct. Milepost: 1567.6 miles, Daily: 11.5, Ascent: 3360′, Descent: 1770′, Highest: 3905′. Camp: Woods Hole Hostel, 3155′. Departed Pearisburg in light rain. Sun came out in mid-morning. Nice ridgetop hike amongst rhododendrons.
Day 130, 30-Oct. Zero day at Woods Hole Hostel for quality rest and downtime.
Day 131, 31-Oct. Milepost: 1582.9 miles, Daily: 15.3, Ascent: 1505′, Descent: 2935′, Highest: 4040′. Camp: Weary Feet Hostel 2035′. Easy hike is cool weather, 52 degrees in afternoon. Average on trail 2 mph, which is good for me.
Day 132, 1-Nov. Milepost: 1601.3 miles, Daily: 18.4, Ascent: 4030′, Descent: 3200′, Highest: 3270′. Camp: Weary Feet Hostel 2035′. Shuttled back to hostel. Beautiful weather for a mostly ridgetop hike, but 18 miles with no on-trail water; carried 3 liters.
Day 133, 2-Nov. Milepost: 1616.9 miles, Daily: 15.6′, Ascent: 3680′, Descent: 2570′, Highest: 4045′. Camp: 0.2 mile north of Road 623, Hunting Creek Camp Wilderness, 3990′. Chilly, misty day, light rain early. Ascended to 4000′ and camped with warmer sleeping pad and silk liner for sleeping bag for first time. Light rain at 7:30pm. Snow tonight?
Day 134, 3-Nov. Milepost: 1634.6 Daily: 17.7, Ascent: 3715′, Descent: 5160′, Highest: 4440′. Camp: Bear Garden Hostel, 2550′. Woke to 25 degrees, ice on tent, frost everywhere on the ground. The sun came out for a nice day.
Day 135, 4-Nov. Milepost: 1650.2, Daily: 15.6, Ascent: 3280′, Descent: 3145′, Highest: 3450′. Camp: SW Virginia Settlers Museum pavilion, 2600′. Passed the 75% completed marker on trail! After a nice night at the hostel the trail led me through pastures, colorful ridgetops and a Mexican restaurant at the Interstate 81 crossing. Camped under covered pavilion at the Settlers Museum Visitors Center.
Day 136, 5-Nov. Milepost: 1658.8, Daily: 8.6, Ascent: 2425′, Descent: 1775′, Highest: 4090′. Town: Marion, VA. After cold night and partially frozen water bottle and Platypus bag I hiked in crisp, cold air to highway 16 for ride to Marion for resupply.
Day 137, 6-Nov. Milepost: 1678.1, Daily: 19.3, Ascent: 3980′, Descent: 3270′ Highest: 3920′. Camp: Hurricane Mountain Shelter, Jefferson Natl Forest, 3940′. Cool weather turning cold, clear sky. Well graded trail approaching Graceland Highlands area. I averaged about 2 mph.
Day 138, 7-Nov. Milepost: 1706.4, Daily: 28.3 Ascent: 5170′, Descent: 5760′, Highest: 5505′. Camp: Lost Mountain Shelter, 3370′. Scenic views in Grayson Highlands. AND the famous ponies. Decided to hike to a shelter 16 miles from next town, Damascus. It was 28 miles, the most on the hike! I felt good, too.
Day 139, 8-Nov. Milepost: 1722.4 Daily: 16.0, Ascent: 1380′, Descent: 2705′, Highest: 3465′. Town: Damascus, VA, stayed at Lady Di’s B&B and Hostel. I was eager to arrive in Damascus to finalize plans for shipping cold weather gear from home to Erwin and Hot Springs.
Day 140 9-Nov. Milepost: 1737.4, Daily: 15.0, Ascent: 3315′, Descent: 1930′, Highest: 3910′. Town: Rabbit Hole Hostel, Shady Valley, TENNESSEE. Excellent weather again for easy-going hike through camping closure area due to aggressive bear activity. Entered TENNESSEE! Stayed at a hostel off trail where the owner makes milkshakes the old fashioned way.