Back in Pearisburg

Some may recall that when I first thru-hiked the AT as a southbounder my hike was interrupted for several months due to pain in my right foot (plantar fasciitis). The place where I left the trail and subsequently returned after my foot healed was Pearisburg, Virginia, where I’m staying tonight in the bunkhouse of another in the string of hostels I’ve encountered that did not exist 8 years ago when I SOBOed. Although I’m currently nursing some right knee pain that has been a worry/concern for a couple of weeks, it hasn’t shown signs of getting worse and may be slowly recovering, time will tell. That knee not withstanding, my hiking seems to be at its peak right now, the best I’ve felt in 4 trails. I’m sure hoping that continues!

The dramatically more social experience traveling NOBO (approximately 90% of thru-hikers go NOBO) has turned out to be a lot more to my liking than I anticipated. I must be starting to be among hikers doing similar mileage as I’m encountering a core group of faces at recent resupplies, etc. I seem to relearn each time how good it feels to meet people during long thru hikes. Something about the shared deprivation/hardship, even when self-imposed.

I’m not going say much more. I’m posting this sitting at an outdoor picnic table and need to wrap up before the current rain of little white flower petals is replaced with the real stuff very soon. See also the latest video postings on my YouTube channel (41 – 51), somewhat scant offerings due to loads of recent rain. Tomorrow will be a big soaker but that’s life on the AT. Love and best wishes from a very happy hiker. Max