Monday, July 16, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Storms a brewing, July 5th
9 mile/ 565.2-1619
Left knot maul shelter around 7. Reef and I originally planned to hike 19 miles but that didn't happen. A thunderstorm hit us half way though our hike. By far the worst storm I've experienced out here. Had to hike in the rain for a good while. Lightning and thunder appeared just as I got to a clearing. Waited for the thunder to slow down and went over the clearing. Reef and I got to a pond when the storm hit again. Rain like you wouldn't believe. Rain gear and pack cover was useless. Rain was almost sideways, with lightning going off all around us, near a bald. We stood in the tree line for over an hour, just standing in the torrential down pour, pure misery. Hiked up to chestnut knob shelter, a fully enclosed shelter. The shelter was a great way to put an end to the thunderstorm. Was able to hang out my all my wet gear. Passing out
Left knot maul shelter around 7. Reef and I originally planned to hike 19 miles but that didn't happen. A thunderstorm hit us half way though our hike. By far the worst storm I've experienced out here. Had to hike in the rain for a good while. Lightning and thunder appeared just as I got to a clearing. Waited for the thunder to slow down and went over the clearing. Reef and I got to a pond when the storm hit again. Rain like you wouldn't believe. Rain gear and pack cover was useless. Rain was almost sideways, with lightning going off all around us, near a bald. We stood in the tree line for over an hour, just standing in the torrential down pour, pure misery. Hiked up to chestnut knob shelter, a fully enclosed shelter. The shelter was a great way to put an end to the thunderstorm. Was able to hang out my all my wet gear. Passing out
Dojo rest day, July 7th
Got a ride to Walmart to resupply, but first things first, Chinese buffet. Haven't eaten so much like that since the last town. Got me some much needed supplies at Walmart, while talking with Alex. Bristle VA was busy with shoppers, most people I've seen since I started the trail. Got back to the dojo and had a couple beers. Meeting some nice folks from all over the area. Took a picture of a thunderstorm off in the distance. Soooooo glad that I'm not up there on the trail. Movie tonight is last of the mohicans, a fitting movie as it was filmed near the AT. Have the soundtrack stuck in my head all the time out here. Was able to use a computer for an hour for the first time on the AT. Nothing like the Internet, and I miss reddit. Ready to be back on the trail.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The Dojo, July 6th
15 mi/ 562.2-1619
Left Chestnut Knob shelter at 7:20 to find water. Never did find good water all day long. Lots of streams and springs are dried up from the heat. Made it to Laurel Creek where I was able to call Nigel, a brit who runs a free hostel in Bastian called the Dojo. Very relieved to get a ride into town. The dojo is a karate school with a entertainment area/ lounge area and a shower. The best part about the dojo is that it's next door to pizza plus. Ate a large supreme pizza and about two liters of dr pepper. Drank a couple beers and watched the movie the terminal. Great way to end the day.
Left Chestnut Knob shelter at 7:20 to find water. Never did find good water all day long. Lots of streams and springs are dried up from the heat. Made it to Laurel Creek where I was able to call Nigel, a brit who runs a free hostel in Bastian called the Dojo. Very relieved to get a ride into town. The dojo is a karate school with a entertainment area/ lounge area and a shower. The best part about the dojo is that it's next door to pizza plus. Ate a large supreme pizza and about two liters of dr pepper. Drank a couple beers and watched the movie the terminal. Great way to end the day.
Leaving the dojo, July 8th
Woke up at 6:30am, all packed up. Tried to get a breakfast at a gas station but it was closed on Sundays. Got a ride back to Laurel Creek from Nigel. Reef and I decided to hike to Jenny Knob shelter. 
Woods Hole Hostel/ July 9
22 mi/ 619.4-1564.8
Started early for a nice day of easy hiking. Mostly flat terrain at 2,500 feet, with a small climb at the end. Came across my first suspension bridge over Kimberling Creek. Reef and I decided to hike into town to grab a bite to eat. Double cheese burger with all the trimmings along with 3 soft drinks and onion rings. It was the right decision. Hiked back to the trail and passed the Wapiti Shelter, a shelter where someone was once murdered. Came to a waterfall but didn't check it out as we both wanted to reach the hostel before night. We had a good 5 mile climb to Woods Hole hostel, a hippy farm home to hikers. The hostel had pigs, chickens and goats. Reef and I ate some Amish ice cream. Set up my sleeping gear, ready for a nice easy day tomorrow. My foot is a bit sore but it's not swollen, that's good news.
Started early for a nice day of easy hiking. Mostly flat terrain at 2,500 feet, with a small climb at the end. Came across my first suspension bridge over Kimberling Creek. Reef and I decided to hike into town to grab a bite to eat. Double cheese burger with all the trimmings along with 3 soft drinks and onion rings. It was the right decision. Hiked back to the trail and passed the Wapiti Shelter, a shelter where someone was once murdered. Came to a waterfall but didn't check it out as we both wanted to reach the hostel before night. We had a good 5 mile climb to Woods Hole hostel, a hippy farm home to hikers. The hostel had pigs, chickens and goats. Reef and I ate some Amish ice cream. Set up my sleeping gear, ready for a nice easy day tomorrow. My foot is a bit sore but it's not swollen, that's good news.
Pearisburg July 10
22 miles/ 619-1565.2
Last night was interesting, slept on a church pew at the hostel. Woke up at 7:30 for some much needed coffee. You can never have enough coffee. Afterwords ate breakfast with all the hostel people. Had an easy ten mile hike into Pearisburg. Staying at a hotel tonight, always nice to have a bed. Ate some Mexican food, not quite like home but I'll take it. Reef enjoyed a margarita at my expense, I should learn to make fewer bets. Currently updating my blog. Doing well
Last night was interesting, slept on a church pew at the hostel. Woke up at 7:30 for some much needed coffee. You can never have enough coffee. Afterwords ate breakfast with all the hostel people. Had an easy ten mile hike into Pearisburg. Staying at a hotel tonight, always nice to have a bed. Ate some Mexican food, not quite like home but I'll take it. Reef enjoyed a margarita at my expense, I should learn to make fewer bets. Currently updating my blog. Doing well
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