Announcement

I have regretfully decided to pull off the trail for the winter. It is just to risky to be out here alone in this kind of weather.

I am going down to Florida for a few weeks to heal up and then will return to New Jersey with the intention of completing the trail at some future date. I have completed 1,381.4 miles from Baxter State Park in Maine to U.S. 60 in Virginia. I will either resume at that location or walk from Georgia north to U.S. 60 to complete the Appalachain Trail.

This is not the end of this trek.

"It ain't over until the fat lady sings!"

Cow Camp Gap Shelter

I was awoken in the early morning dark at 5:30 am by footsteps at the foot of the shelter I was sleeping in.  This is particularly unnerving when you are trapped in a mummy bag that takes a good 20 seconds to free your hands from.  I found three head lamps looking at me and in the scattered light from said head lamps I could discern what appeared to be three shotguns.  "It's ok" came a voice  "We're just hunters.  Now squeal like a pig!"  Just kidding about the Squeal like a pig part but you get the idea. 

View from Top of Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain

A bit of a glare.

20 degrees this morning

Not counting wind chill.  I am thinking these mountains will still be here when it gets warm again.  I can't see living in a freezer with the blower going full blast for the next two months.

Stealth Camp on Priest

Stuck on the mountain for the night.  This should be interesting at 4000 feet.

From The Priest

This is a 4k mountain. I'm gonna need a Priest after this one!

From 3 Ridges

To bad I couldn't get this all in one shot.  This is a truly magnificent view with a nice little farm tucked into the valley below.

Had my first snow fluries this morning and temp hovering around 32.  Wind isn't to bad though.  New gear is keeping me warm at night but weighs a ton.  My goal right now is to try to complete Virginia before the weather forces me in for the winter.

Today's View

These hills will be full of Orcs by dark!

Heading out

Should be in Glasgow on Tuesday.  Will post as best I can but 3g access is iffy at best out there.

Pack Load

That is one stuffed to the breaking point pack.  The new zero degree bag is significantly larger then the old 20 degree bag.  In fact it does not fit in the sleeping bag compartment on the bottom.  I now have the bag stuffed in the main compartment along with the night clothes and new jacket.  Food is in the sleeping bag compartment.  Still need to add water.  Will do that tomorrow morning before leaving.

Waynesboro, Va.

Very hiker friendly town.  Hitching is a breeze.  I am staying at the Quality Inn which is in walking distance of the laundry mat, post office, Krogers Supermarket and Ming's Chinese buffet.  Rate is $50 a night and room is top notch including refrigerator.  It was also an easy hitch to the Rockfish Gap Outfitters which had all the gear a thru hiker needs.

On that note I picked up a zero degree North Face sleeping bag, Jet Boil stove and a North Face winter jacket.  Yes it cost a pretty penny but beats freezing to death which is now a real possibility.  My next task is to fit it all in my pack.

Nice fall view

From Blackrock Mtn.

And that concludes a 21 mile day.

Armand Gap

I think.  Oh, 25 degrees this morning.  Should hit Waynesboro tonight.  Will be looking for a warmer sleeping bag.

View from Loft Mtn.

All up and down today making for a Hard milage day.

Ivy Creek Overlook

31 degrees this morning

And high winds.  Stayed on Hightop Mtn at a shelter.  A little over 3000 feet up. 

Random view

This is from the mountain directly south of Hightop.  Will have to look up name later.

View from Hightop Mtn.

Wild Turkey

She's in there somewhere.  I came across a whole gaggle of them but couldn't get close enough.