27 miles today. Today was the perfect day. It was sunny, completely clear, 50ish degrees, and we caught Guthook. FedEx and I hit the trail at 6:30 and made it to Bryant Ridge Shelter at about 8:15. The shelter was AMAZING. It had 3 floors, but was really weirdly shaped. No nails were used,...
Day 42 April 12 – Jennings Creek Campsite – 37.52895, -79.62218 –
27.1 miles today. FedEx and I had a great start today. We filled up at the continental breakfast and were on the road by 7. It was foggy until we got a couple hundred feet above the valley floor, then it cleared up completely. We made it the first 12 miles without a hitch,...
Day 41 April 11 – Troutville, VA – 37.38346, -79.90354 –
10ish miles. FedEx and I were up and out of the shelter by 6:15 this morning. We made great time and pulled off our 10 by 10:00 goal. We were at the outfitter for a while as FedEx was searching for interesting pieces of non-essential gear. I ended up buying a pair of Sole...
Day 40 April 10 – Lamberts Meadow Shelter – 37.43460, -79.98764 –
23 miles today. Today felt a lot longer than it actually was. We got a late start at about 9 and took a while geting into stride. It took us until almost 1:00 to get moving at a good pace, hence it was almost 8:00 when we rolled into the shelter. The morning’s hike...
Day 39 April 9 – Pickle Branch Shelter – 37.38029, -80.18459 –
20ish miles today. After a lovely continental breakfast we broke camp and left the hotel at about 8:30. It took about an hour to drive back to where we left off. The day warmed right up and was sunny and had a slight breeze. The hiking was rather easy and quite scenic. We made...
Day 38 April 8 – Troutville, VA -ZERO DAY- – 37.38346, -79.90354 –
I didn’t get up ’till 9:30, it felt GREAT. I ate one of the best continental breakfasts I’ve ever had then resupplied with FedEx when he got back. A guy named Rambler called and is evidently coming through and offered us a ride so we’re set to get back on the trail. I’m feeling...
Day 37 April 7 – Troutville, VA – 37.38346, -79.90354 –
15 miles today. It was freezing this morning and there were a couple inches of snow outside. FedEx was all up and ready to get going so I drug myself out of bed to get moving and going. We got going about 8 and warmed up quick. After we climbed back up to the...
Day 36 April 6 – Pine Swamp Branch Shelter – 37.42209, -80.60841 –
20ish miles today. After getting out of the hostel at about 8:30 I headed down towards the trail via FedEx at the Holiday Motor Lodge. I ended up hanging out with him as he packed up and made some phone calls while I waited. We had lunch at this AWESOME mexican restaraunt then hit...
Day 35 April 5 – Holy Family Church Hostel – 37.33309, -80.71505 –
10ish miles today. It was absolutely FREEZING this morning with snow and everything. I made it into town ok and to the Hostel. A hot shower felt GREAT. I checked the P.O. for my mail drop and then picked up some supplies to get me to Daleville. I also did laundry, THANK GOD. I...
Day 34 April 4 – Somewhere on the trail before Doc’s Knob. – 37.33311, -80.71496 –
41 miles so far. I’ve just stopped for another break. It’s been a long day. We got out of Jenkins just fine at about 6. We got to the Bland hitch at about 10:20 and back on the road with two days worth of snacks and full stomachs at about 1:00. It was a...