Day 111 - Waynesboro VA (20/10/2016)

I had planned to head out at 7am again this morning but clouds rolled in and made it too dark to walk without a headlamp. I was forced to sit and have a coffee while waiting for the sun to rise a bit and brighten the day. It was a nice leisurely start, but also meant that I had to do 8 miles in 2.5 hrs to meet Karen for my ride to Waynesboro. That would usually be OK, but for some reason the last few miles of Shenandoah are quite a bit more challenging than the first 100. Still, I managed to make it and am glad to avoid hiking in the hot, humid air for today.

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I had the great fortune of riding with Karen, her husband Jack, and their two beautiful Golden Retrievers. I tried to "borrow" one until December, but Karen kept a wary eye on me. Since they were generous enough to drive me to an outfitter for a gear resupply, and then to a diner for breakfast, I didn't steal their dogs (also, Karen knew to watch me like a hawk).

After a breakfast fit for a hiker (good, but more importantly, huge) I headed to my hostel, where I found Cinderella and Waterboy as expected. Less expectedly, I also found Timber and PinkyPurple!!* C and W are ahead of me now, having arrived last night, but T and PP are sticking around so I'll get to catch up with them.

All in all, a rewarding nero.

Start: just north of Calf Mountain 

End: Waynesboro VA 

Distance: 8 miles

* I'm a bit sad that Timber and Legs are now separated. They were my favourite trail "couple" and I really thought they'd hike the whole way together.

Day 110 - Hello Darkness, My Old Friend (19/10/2016)

Without a headlamp, I slept in a bit this morning but still found myself carefully breaking camp in the dark. By 7, it was bright enough to walk so I set out for a camp store to get some food supplies since I was short a breakfast. This was also my last chance for postcards from Shenandoah.

While there I had a coffee, charged my phone and had several great conversations about the Trail, including one with Karen who kindly offered me a ride into Waynesboro tomorrow morning! Off I went, planning to take up that offer.

Water has been plentiful in Shenandoah despite a low rain season, so I haven't had to worry about that. The leaves are turning (fast!) and the weather is beautiful, if a bit warm. I wasn't in a hurry since I only had to cover 28 miles in two days.

Then at lunch I noticed there were no water sources for the next 11 miles. I had about a litre, which was enough to hold me over with a bit of rationing. The greater issue is that without a headlamp, I needed to cover 11 miles, load up on water, and find a campsite with enough time to cook and set up camp before dark.

Now I was in a hurry. I managed it, in the end, but only just. I had to pitch my tent in the dark. I'm not thrilled with my bear hang, but if a bear gets my food now, he won't be very satisfied and I can replenish tomorrow.

In the end it all worked out, though I did start to fear the possibility of trying to hike and find a campsite using my phone flashlight.

Tomorrow a short 8 miles and then a hostel stay in Waynesboro. A hostel! Hopefully a proper one.

Start: Lost Mountain

End: .3 or so before Calf Mountain Shelter*

Distance: 21.8 miles

* yes, I could have pressed on to here in a pinch - and would have - but let's not forget how much I dislike communal sleeping arrangements.

Day 109 - From Darkness Into Darkness (18/10/2016)

I started hiking in the dark again today. I'm liking the early morning starts. It makes it easy to get a good day in before the end of the daylight, so I don't have to cook in the dark. Also saw another owl.

That said, hiking in the dark (morning or night) requires a headlamp. Which I appear to have left on a rock somewhere in Shenandoah National Park. Fortunately I only have to get to Thursday without it, when I'll overnight in Waynesboro, Virginia. In the meantime, I guess I'm forced to sleep in a bit, because breaking camp in the dark is a great way to forget more things.

Start: Bald Mountain

End: Loft Mountain

Distance: 20.8 miles

Day 108 - Docile Deer (17/10/2016)

I woke really early this morning, and instead of forcing sleep, I started the day early. I was hiking by 6am, which was well before dawn. I hoped to catch a sunrise, but the trail stayed to the west all morning.

The plan was to hit the next Wayside and get some lunch since I'm a bit under stocked in the pantry area. On the way I picked up Cinderella and Waterboy, and we passed an owl, and two deer who did not care about us all. I was within 5 yards of one who just slowly wandered away a bit.

I've also started meeting a whole new set of hikers: flip-floppers who started going north from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin, and have now returned to go south to Mount Springer. So far there's Spidey, Nine Bears, and Add Coffee. I'm curious to see how that changes the trail experience. 

Start: around 1254.8

End: Bald Mountain

Distance: 22.4 miles

Day 107 - Misty Shenandoah (16/10/2016)

Camping may have been a bit miserable last night, but I woke up to this this morning:

Then I hit up a wayside (camp store with some food) and had a coffee and cinnamon bun to go with my oats.

Later I ran into Cinderella and Waterboy (or rather they caught up to me) and then Mr. Bisquick and Moosetracker! I hadn't seen the latter two since The Antlers in the Hundred Mile Wilderness ! They'd taken some time off trail for illness and had decided to skip forward to keep on schedule. It was good to see them and I was surprised they remembered me. They also talked about the SOBO Serial Novel! They'd met a group of girls who were reading them faithfully.

I hiked a bit with Waterboy and Cinderella, then camped down after around 19 miles. They pressed on for a bit longer. Hope I see them again tomorrow.

Start: Top of Hogsback Mountain

End: Around 1254.8

Distance: 18.8 Miles

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Day 106 - Shenandoah! (15/10/2016)

Today marks my first day in Shenandoah National Park. This is one of the sections that most AT hikers call their favourite, so I've been pretty excited about it. It did not disappoint...

We're finally back to some spectacular views and the walking track is every bit as beautiful as we were promised: for the first time, a section is just as good as NOBOs have said it was.‎

Camping was a bit rough. The winds were so high I had trouble getting my stove lit, then it died before cooking my food. Partly cooked macaroni, and semi-dehydrated chili were not the quality to which I have become accustomed.

Start: Mosby Campsite

End: Top of Hogshead Peak

Distance: 19.4 miles