Day 128 - Water Shortage (6/11/2016)

The time change is messing with us: the day is bright early, but also I'm going to bed at 8pm.

This morning I left camp cold, and waterless because there was a source two miles down the trail and I was running late. Unfortunately (but commonly in this area) that source was dry. On we went with me starting to be more desperate for a drink (Flatlander and Blueberry Crisp were better prepared). We arrived at a campsite and there on a log sat a Gatorade bottle, which Blueberry Crisp uses as garbage cans. He went over, picked it up and said "oh... someone left camp without their water this morning." Which was great, because I needed water badly.

Then, just as I was about to get my water bottles out, Blueberry opened it and slowly dumped the contents onto the ground as I watched in horror. "Oh,... sorry" he said, when he finally glanced up to see the disbelief on my face.

At which point we burst out laughing. Fortunately there was a creek right next to the site, so no harm was done.

Over dinner tonight I found out that both Flatlander and Blueberry Crisp had similar "ground apple" stories to mine, so we're now part of a secret society of people without pride or shame.

Another good day. We've also got Flatlander committed to staying with us until the 20th, and she even admitted she might be willing to delay her finishing date until Dec 2.

Start: Knot Maul Shelter 

End: peak of Glade Mountain

Distance: 20.8 miles

ETA: 1-3 Dec

Day 127 - Sub-zero (5/11/2016)

Last night was as cold as any I've had so far. I woke at 5 and couldn't sleep, but we'd set 7:30 as our departure time so I shivered in my sleeping bag until 6:30. Getting moving would have been the better choice.

Walking was good though my socks are starting to give me blisters. I have two pairs of Darn Toughs, and I love one but hate the other. I may look at replacing one when I get to Damascus. I may also buy more base layers and another pair of gloves: if I was this cold when temps were around 2 Celsius, I need a better solution for camping at 5,000' in the Smokey Mountains.

Still gettin' lots of smiles in though. We're all looking forward to brunch at The Barn tomorrow. I'm glad to have Blueberry Crisp around - he's on top of all the food options along the trail. 

Start: Campsite near cascades

End: Knot Maul Shelter

Distance: 24.5 miles

ETA: 1-4 Dec

Day 126 - Trumpets and Brownies (4/11/2016)

Not a lot on the journal front today. We decided to do midday brownies to celebrate Flatlander's 100th, so we had a campfire (a rarity among hikers) and ate brownies. It turns out the mix with chocolate chips doesn't work as well because the chips burn and stick to the pot more than usual. Still, it was a nice treat.

We continued on until our campsite, and could hear Sleeping Beauty playing his trumpet from a distance. I like Sleeping Beauty. He's fun to chat with. But he's not a terribly good trumpeter, and only knows about 4 bars from around 3 songs, so the trumpet isn't my favourite thing about him. We found some tent pads far enough away to keep the horn at bay.

Another mostly good day, with some good smiles.

Unfortunately I seem not to have data on my phone much in southern VA, so blog updates are falling behind again.

Start: Jenny Knob Shelter 

End: Campsite near some cascades

Distance: 18.8 Miles 

ETA: 30/11 - 7/12

Day 125 - Flatlander's Century (3/11/2016)

Another uneventful day, but full of fun and (s)miles. We'd planned to celebrate Flatlander's 100th day on trail with scrambled brownies (paying it forward after Pancake did the same for my birthday), but had to reschedule for rain delays.

I'm finally getting why NOBOs talked about the long green tunnel in Virginia: we spend a lot of time in rhododendron groves which form a canopy overhead. I think it's beautiful, and can only imagine what it would be like in full bloom.

Start: Docs Knob Shelter 

End: Jenny Knob Shelter

Distance: 24 miles

Finish Date: Dec 1-9 (based on recent mileage)

Day 124 - Spaghetti In My Shoe (2/11/2016)

There was spaghetti in my shoe this morning. We're still confused about a) where the spaghetti came from, b) how it got in my shoe, and c) what it means.

I think it's a miracle of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Others have blamed squirrels. I guess we'll never know.

Other than my Pastafarian baptism, today was marked by laundry, all you can eat Chinese buffet, friendly Virginians in Pearisburg, and a lot of laughter.

I also finally made it to some mailed treats from my colleagues in Sydney. We stuffed our faces with Tim Tams, Anzac biscuits, and other assorted deliciousness. Thanks so much, friends down under.

Start: Rice Field Shelter 

End: Docs Knob Shelter 

Distance: 15.7 miles

Finish Date: Dec 1-10 (based on recent mileage)

[Ed. Note 2020-10-26: Four years later, Blueberry and Flatlander have admitted that they were the squirrels.]

Day 123 - ABC (1/11/2016)

It's amazing to think that I've now been hiking for four months.

One third of a year.

What a life I've managed to lead.

Today we did 20 miles. Since pairing up with Flatlander, I've done 142 miles in one week. The only other time I've hit those numbers, I was slackpacking with Papa Wallaby. 

Tonight I'm sleeping in a shelter for the first time since probably Maine. There's just Blueberry Crisp, Flatlander, and me here and we're all sheltering. Our campsite last night ended up being overrun with misty clouds, so all our tents/hammocks could benefit from being hung out to dry.

Tomorrow, Pearisburg and a mail drop from my former colleagues in Sydney. I can't wait to get it.

Start: Windy Rock

End: Rice Field Shelter

Distance: 20.4 miles

Day 122 - Hiker Halloween (31/10/2016)

This morning I ignored my alarm and figured I'd get another hour of sleep or so. Turns out I was pretty tired because instead I slept an extra 2 hours. When I woke, I could hear Blueberry Crisp breaking camp, but half expected to find Flatlander already gone. Happily, she was still there. We packed up camp and headed out.

The day was pretty uneventful. The long night's rest was good for me: walking felt fine. We'd settled on sleeping at a campsite with a view at around 20 miles.

In the end we not only landed at a campsite with a view, but we were welcomed with a pre-built fire and complimentary s'mores ! ‎When we got there, there was already a group of day hikers hanging about with a fire. They were just there for the evening, but they told us to help ourselves to their s'mores supplies. Flatlander is a patient marshmallow roasting perfectionist. Not a bad Halloween.

Flatlander is talking about maybe pushing on ahead of us after Pearisburg. Negotiations are still ongoing.

Start: Eastern Continental Divide 

End: Wind Gap viewpoint 

Distance: 20.4 miles