Section Hike AT - James River North

At the start - James River, elev 735

Rocky Row area overlooking James River, elevation 2992

October 11, 2009

James River to Rice Mtn

13.1 miles

Okay, so I thought I could get away with another section hike on my pair of trail runners that I knew were close to biting the dust. Hoped to do James River to Rockfish Gap. Trip started okay Sunday, though being out of shape with hiking is quite evident when trying to hike miles and do elevation change. Plus a loaded pack with supplies for five days (ugh) and water since you don't know spring conditions with the dry fall we've had. The spirit in strong but the body weak. Thank goodness for Advil. Still made it to Rice Mtn for an overnight stay after seeing good views of the James River.

Cold Mountain, elevation 4022

October 12

Rice Mtn to Hog Camp Gap

15 miles

The next day dawned cloudy but still good views as I hiked around the reservoir and enjoyed autumn color. Had some hot spots so put on the customary duct tape. But noticed too on dowhills my toes jamming and some nail pain (didn't think really to tighten the laces more). Thought it would go away (that invincible streak). Climbed the nice long hike up from Rt 60 and was met with foggy and very windy conditions on Bald Knob. And continued aches and pains. Duct tape falling off my feet, not good. And just general feet pain. Did clear enough though for views off Cold Mtn, but again, the pain muted it. Arrived at Hog Camp Gap to inspect the feet and found one quarter size open and draining blister on the big toe - have no idea where it came from except it must have happened from loosened duct tape. Fixed my feet and set up camp. The rain held off though and had a quiet but windy and cool evening as I cooked by the tent. Later that night dew fell with condensation in and out on tent, and wind caused a stake to come out, so up at 4 AM to fix it.

October 13

Hog Camp Gap to Crabtree Falls Rd

13.7 miles

Tired today from the escapades of last night but awoke to a bright and beautiful morning with the autumn colors vivid in the sunlight.

Thought today would be a good day. Felt okay. Managed to bandage the big toe fine but to my dismay, found another blister forming, this time on the sole and the junction of one middle toe. As teh day went on, the blister proved impossible to bandage correctly as whenever I put tape on, it would fall off. And come to find out, a ridge that had developed in my runners because of useage had formed the blister. So day three I was met with constantly stopping and doing first aid. My big toenails were not good either. My gait was changing becase of these issues and then I was facing ankle pain from an old ankle injury. Stopped at Seeley shelter to dy out tent and do first aid. Spent over an hour there. But the hiking didn't go well after that with the ongoing foot problems. At Spy Rock Rd, I told my hubby what was going on and he urged me to get off. Now getting off is not what I wanted to do. I hemmed and hawed. But every step really hurt and I was not enjoying this time at all. Nor the prospect of climbing down the Priest with bruised toenails and then walking on the blister over the Three Ridges and beyond. I feared also the gait change could cause more ankle problems (and I was recently recovering from an ankle spain in Sept. after a tumble off the steps).So I got off at Crabtee Falls Rd and got picked up.

Lessons learned - don't use worn shoes and insoles, take better blister stuff to work with. Tighten your shoes and wear good socks.

Summer Rambles Part 2 - Red Creek, Dolly Sods West Virginia

This late summer ramble took us up the Red Creek Trail in the Dolly Sods Wilderness of West Virginia. Though most trail junctions have sign posts, after that, you are on your own with a map and compass (you can get a trail map published by the Army Corps of Engineers for free at the Seneca Rocks Visitor Center). At times it proved to be interesting navigation-wise as we tried to locate Little Stonecoal Trail which was illusive. After crossing Red Creek several times, we finally found the trail using our map and geographic location. Once near the ridgetop we came upon a nice established campsite for the night.


Day 2 saw us hiking along Dunkenbarger Trail to the Big Stonecoal Trail. We passed numerous ripe blueberries along the way which made for excellent eating and, yes, slow progress. But hey, that's what being out in the wilderness is all about, and the Dolly Sods is known for its blueberries and unique vegetation commonly seen in Canadian areas.

We continued along Big Stonecoal until we reached the famous Blackbird Knob Trail, which we both knew well, my hubby in particular as he has tramped these woods for many years. We decided to camp near Red Creek which would put us in good position to hike out to the car the next day. The trail was severely rutted on the side and hidden by thick grass, and I was fearful of my husband twisting his ankle. I warned him to be careful. Not 30 seconds later I fell in the rut, spraining my right ankle. I knew I was in trouble - that sinking, sick feeling that one wishes they never had on a hike. I immediately wrapped it and hobbled as best I could until we made it to the first available campsite where I soaked it in Red Creek. The hike the next day concerned me as we had close to six miles left to make it back to the car. And it hurt like the dickens all night. Not a pleasant situation.


But the next day we hiked out (not much choice, really) - I used an ace wrap and my hiking poles, along with Advil - albeit rather slow, and did make it back to the car around noon.



Circuit Trail Route - Red Creek Trail (at SR 45), Little StoneCoal, Dunkenbarger, Big Stonecoal, Blackbird Knob, Red Creek.

Two Year Anniversary of a Trail

Putting a pebble from Springer Mountain, Georgia on the sign atop Mt. Katahdin, Maine

This Friday, September 18th, marks the two year completion of the entire Appalachian Trail for both my son and myself. To mark the occasion, we got together before my computer and finished writing the book that chronicles the journey. I need only spell check and revise it, but I hope to have it out for eager readers by the third anniversary of our start in Georgia (March 5, 2010). As we shared about the journey, tears came into "Paul Bunyan's" eyes, recalling the monumental feat, but tears as well of good memories and challenges and the simplicity that was the trail life.

We don't know what lies ahead for our hiking pursuits. I would like to try again in 2011, but work and other things might prevent a full SOBO hike. But I will keep my options open. Until then, we will rejoice and remember our hike.

Paul Bunyan with THE hiker food - a Snickers bar

Summer Rambles 2009 - Part 1 - Lassen Peak, CA

At last I am updating my hiking blog to include a review of my summer, 2009 rambles. While the one I highlight in this post is not a backpacking venture, I was able to see parts of the Pacific Crest Trail and spent the day climbing a snow covered Lassen Peak while discovering the challenges, and yes, the fear of an ice-covered trail.

This was new for me. Not that I haven't done a snow-covered trail, but this required a bit of skill with Yak Trax on trail runners (of which I had only worn boots in the past). There was also something eerie about climbing an active volcano. I could see the devastation this mountain once wrought, and yes, could smell it as well - of cinders and strange vapors and other chemicals I can't really describe. As I neared the summit, I reached a very steep, icy part of the trail in which I had no idea how to get up. Thankfully a friendly Korean hiker (KJ) was on the trail with me, and when he arrived, assisted me up this icy ledge to reach the knife-edge summit. I celebrated with his flask and he snapped my picture in a most Everest-like moment for me. I like to think that perhaps this might be training exercises for a possible PCT venture one day. It's hard to know what the future will hold in the realm of hiking. But I was glad for the challenge and the opportunity to enjoy this pristine area of the Pacific west.

Summit of Lassen Peak

Note: Since I wrote this note, Lassen Peak trail is only open for a mile do to a fatality in late July of 2009 farther up the trail. I did the trail in early June.

Hiker Picnic!

For the first time this year, hubby Skipper and I decided to host a "Hiker Picnic" to welcome thru hikers to Shenandoah National Park at Smith Roach Gap (near Hightop Hut), not far from the park entrance at Swift Run Gap. We cooked up hot dogs, beans, had chips, brownies and cookies and got to meet 18 hikers out doing the trail or sectioning. Heard plenty of stories and shared some stories of my own of what happens farther north of their location. Even met some guys from New Brunswick and a hiker from New Zealand as well a couple who had lost everything in a devastating fire and decided to come hike the trail.
Some names I recall are the divas Egg and Storm, Ironman, Tin Man, Red Leg, Tord, Old Goat and Check Six among others.

A great day for us and one we will remember.

Blissful with new hiker friends on the trail. We were glad to meet them.

AT Section Hike - James River to Catawba Part II

April 14, 2009
Cove Mt Shelter to Wilson Creek Shelter
13.7 miles
Overcast, mist

Had a pretty good night with only Signage and me in the shelter. Rained most of the night, so glad we were safe inside. Woke to overcast, foggy conditions with a light mist, but all part of the AT adventure as are the sunny and bright days too. Donned rain jackets and pack covers and trekked onward. Only had a few short bouts of real rain, but did miss some of the lovely views from the overlooks. Met a few NOBOs at Bobblett Gap shelter and a few more after that when we arrived in mid afternoon at Wilson Creek Shelter. They had all started in mid to late Feb and were enjoying their time, if coping with a lot of rain this season. It is interesting to hear of their adventures and encouraging them to make it all the way to Maine. Now I am looking forward to going to Signage's house tomorrow night for a shower and laundry. And Thurs. and Friday look good for our next section with my friend I met on Facebook, Beth.

April 15th
From Wison Creek Shelter to Daleville
11.2 miles
Cloudy to clearing

Rained during the night, so once again we were glad to be under cover in a shelter. Packed up and headed out in foggy conditions to find it soon clearing with views looking out to Daleville and the surrounding ridge. Ate lunch at Fullhardt Knob shelter then proceeded down the trail and through farmer's fields to reach Signage's SUV parked at the Kroger. She then took me to Salem and showed me her town and her little house. A shower never felt so good and it was good to have clean clothes. We then went to Mac and Bobs for a nice chicken parmesan dinner that proved too much on our fragile stomachs used to eating trail food. Had a good night's sleep.

April 16
From Daleville to Lambert Meadow Campsite
10 miles
Sunny

Went to a nearby coffee house for bagels where I had decaf blueberry brandy coffee - a first for me, I must say. We drove to Catawba where we met Beth for the first time and left one of the cars, then piled into Signage's car to drive to Daleville and our starting point for this leg of the trip. I had hiked one mile of the AT when I realized I had inadvertently left my insole in Signage's car. Jogged it back to the car through thick mud to retrieve it, then met up with the others to continue on. Thankfully we are not doing high stressed mileage! Beautiful views from the ridgeline, much different then when I had done this section twice before. I had a feeling I was going to enjoy this. Nice, relaxed pace where we stopped to admire the views. Found a place to camp by a stream near the Lambert Meadow shelter. That night, Beth got her trail name Lucky as it wasn't too cold and she had not packed exactly the right clothing for a night out in mid April (no jacket, etc). So we decided to call her Lucky.

April 17
From Lambert Meadow Campsite to Catawba
10.2 miles
Sunny

Awoke to another bright and beautiful sunny day on the AT. Hiked the Tinker Cliff area for outstanding views. Lucky bothered by allergies and had taken Benadryl so she stopped often to snooze along the way. Again glad for a relaxed schedule. Ate lunch midway between Tinker and McAfee Knob, then went up the knob for the customary picture. Found a nice campsite down by Catawba Mtn shelter to set up, but were soon infiltrated by Boy Scouts and decided to hike out as our car was only two miles away. Unfortunately I hiked a bit too fast in the dark and ended up spraining my ankle, but managed to hike it out and back to Signage's house for ice and a night's rest.

Had a great hike on this section and great companions.

AT Section Hike - James River to Catawba Part 1

Signage and Blissful ready to embark on our week long section hike of the AT.

April 11, 2009

James River to Marble Spring Campsite

7.9 miles

Cloudy, wind

We picked up Signage from her car at the Daleville Kroger and drive to our starting point at the James River footbridge, a unique structure built solely for AT hikers to cross the wide James River instead of sharing a bridge with busy traffic. The day started out warm but rapidly turned cold and windy with a new front moving in. had some decent uphill climbs but with nice winter views of the James River along the way. We met up with my husband, Skipper, just shy of the Marble Springs camping area and found a spot, just as a large hiking group came in. The place was packed with over 20 hikers there, but they all ended up fairly quiet, mainly because everyone was so cold. Met section hiker Steps from Michigan. Skipper and I watched the sun set. A cold wind blew through my tent all night.

April 12, Easter Sunday

Marble Springs Campsite to Cornelius Creek Shelter

12.2 miles

Cold, Sunny

A cold and blustery night made for a tough morning trying to pack up with iced cold fingers. Did quite a bit of climbing, but thankfully Skipper slacked us for a 3 mile portion of it from Petites Gap to the BRP which made it a bit easier. Still, we did a lot of climbing and very little downhill. When we finally met up with Skipper on the Blue Ridge Parkway, he had a surprise waiting - an Easter feast of genuine crabcakes with asparagus! Doesn't get any better than that! We walked with him to the guillotine rock formation for pictures, then shouldered our packs and headed up and over Apple Orchard Mtn, the highest peak between Clingman's Dome and Mt Moosilauke. Arrived at the shelter and had it to ourselves, though we elected to tent.

April 13

Cornelius Creek Shelter to Cove Mtn. Shelter

11.9 miles

Overcast, sprinkles

Left under overcast skies headed for Bryant Ridge shelter and our lunch spot. This is a beautiful tri level shelter with plenty of room for 20 hikers. On and off again sprinkles that didn't amount to much, thank goodness, as trying to hike uphill in raingear is the pits. Arrived at Jennings Creek to fill up at water as the shelter we planned to stay at had none. This made for a tough hike with lots of extra weight and sore leg muscles. Had some groin pain as well, which was new for me. Made good time where we met a NOBO hiker, Jolly Rancher, and his dog. He left though, and we had the place to ourselves. With the pending rain, we elected to stay in the shelter. Signage got a nice fire going, and we had a relaxing evening. Rain held off until later that night and rained all night. Glad to be safe inside.

Signage's fire