{"id":837,"date":"2015-03-24T14:41:23","date_gmt":"2015-03-24T19:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2015\/?p=837"},"modified":"2022-01-02T10:10:10","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T18:10:10","slug":"fare-thee-well-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2015\/fare-thee-well-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Fare Thee Well, Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, Virginia (the longest state on the AT) contains 550.3 miles<\/a> of the trail. Sitting in the Damascus, Virginia public library on this morning of March 24th, I am poised to cross the Virginia\/Tennessee border tomorrow morning, in 3.3 miles.<\/p>\n

\"Nice...\"<\/a>

Nice…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"I've<\/a>

I’ve been thinking about this town walk for 200 miles<\/p><\/div>\n

As much as I’ve loved the hiking in this great state, I’m glad to see progress, warmer weather and changing trail conditions. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve gone from near total isolation to finally sharing shelters occasionally (twice). Once with a great section hiker named Sunshine, and then a few nights later with Gator, Shitfoot and 0311, a trio of motivated Nobos.<\/p>\n

\"Nacho<\/a>

Nacho Libre (left) and the Professor<\/p><\/div>\n

I’ve started seeing Nobos since Mount Rogers, including the amazing Nacho Libre, the Professor, OC, Montana and the Hiking Vikings<\/a> who camped last night at The Place (Methodist hostel) where I am also staying in Damascus, VA.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View through my window screen at the Methodist church hostel, “The Place<\/a>“<\/p><\/div>\n

This town is well-known for Trail Days<\/a>, the biggest annual event on the AT (in mid-May). Its a good trail stop with home-cooked food options, several great outfitters and lots of hiker-friendly places (read: high degree of olfactory tolerance) to stay.<\/p>\n

\"20150323_144445\"<\/a>

Glorious spring day on the ridge above Damascus<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Trestle<\/a>

Trestle just north of Damascus<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Me<\/a>

Me on the trestle…geez I’m gettin’ hairy<\/p><\/div>\n

\"20150323_114839\"<\/a>

At a trail switchback: my origin path goes up on the right and destination path descends lower left<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps not surprisingly, the uptick in trail encounters has coincided with warmer weather and less snow. The only icy patches I’m seeing now are remote spots in high elevation that get little sun. But for the odd\/shortlived April snowstorm I am hoping the worst cold is behind me. The weather report for the next 7 days looks relatively clear and warm with only a couple of cold\/rainy days expected during that time.<\/p>\n

\"Virginia<\/a>

Virginia mountainside field<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The AT coincides for some miles with the best-named trail I’ve come across: the Virginia Creeper<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\"Virginia,<\/a>

Virginia, or the Badlands?<\/p><\/div>\n

\"More<\/a>

More Badlands, expecting to see Roy Rogers and Trigger emerge from the underbrush<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Sat<\/a>

I perched on Whitetop Mountain to take advantage of rare cell service and get caught up on news from home<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

In through the “Fat-Man Squeeze”<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Wild<\/a>

Hippie pony in Grayson Highlands, standing guard over his proud trail accomplishment<\/p><\/div>\n