Make it count: Day #40

Day #40 - AT Hike

Tuesday, April 21 - Day #40 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 20.1
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 489.6/2,193 (22.33%)

Knot Maul Branch Shelter (460.5) to Jenkins Shelter (480.6) - camp at Jenkins Shelter

Total ascent - 4,599’
Total descent - 4,816’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

A really, really tough day out there today. I knew this day had the potential to be the most challenging day leading to Pearisburg - my assumptions were proven correct. 20.1 miles, over 4,500’ ascent & descent, 10-1/2 hours on trail, sideways sleet at times, a huge 2,300’ steep climb mid-morning, and a technical (rocky) final 7 miles. That hurts just to write it down. The good thing — I’m still standing!!

The day started off with some rain early - but didn’t amount to much of a problem. I got out of camp about 7:30am and made it to the stream with the bridge out around 9am (See pictures). If was deep - but it wasn’t flowing too aggressively. I ruled out risk of drowning - I just had to get across without falling or getting all my gear wet. I veered left and found a log that had been placed over this more narrow section. (There was actually 2 places I had to cross the water. The second one had a huge tree down - so no problem to walk on that). The first section was tricky. I basically channeled by inner Mary Lou Retton on the balance beam and took it very slowly. It was a little scary - if I fell off I was in freezing water up to my chest. I pulled it off - not a perfect 10 - but close!

Mid morning had a 2,300’ climb. I took a long break in the middle- posting my blog at that time. (Sorry for the lack of evening posts - Virginia has had nothing for cell coverage. The only times I get a signal are on mountaintops for the most part). I wanted to make sure to note I made the bridge wash-out OK before posting - I didn’t want mom to worry too much.

The first 10 miles of the day held the majority of the total ascent. I was beat down - and just fought my way to the shelter with the technical trail. Feet held up pretty well today

Shelter Life has been much better the past couple days. Tonight - Always, Sunny, Zebra, and Cans (all from the shelter last night) are here. Also Chick-Peas and her daughter Amber are here. I had a chance to talk with them and Cans while I made dinner. Trail life is really a big family type atmosphere. People post messages on the log books at each shelter. There are stories that filter around about different people - legends grow. It’s actually extremely interesting. In the year of Covid-19 — it’s much more subdued. I hope to be able to experience more of this if things open up. I’d like to stay in the hostals, go out to some restaurants/bars, etc.

It’s interesting. I am a pretty quiet guy and do feel like I get my energy from within. However — I’m learning more and more that being part of a group, having that sense of belonging - it’s really important to me. (I guess I’m not really learning it - maybe I just forgot it).

My favorite job was the first job I had out of college. Why? Not because of the job itself - but because of all the friends I made - friends I still have to this day. (Note - I’ve made amazing friends - my best friends - at other jobs - but my first job out of school was just different - it was a family). I think back on some of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken - Antarctica trip, Inca Trail Marathon trip, Africa safari/marathon — these were all part of a travel group where I made a lot of friends. The Inca Trail Marathon was way more fun because I knew just about everybody running the race. One of my favorite memories of my Antarctica trip was the last evening meal together - with a group of 8 of us that became close over the 2 weeks together. I’m still friends with these guys today! My favorite years in school were 8th grade, senior in high school, and all of college. These years I was more social - more talkative - I belonged. Really, really interesting when you look back and put things into perspective.

Anyway - a little personal in-site to end a Tuesday. I wish a great Wednesday to everybody out there! Be safe, be happy, be healthy. Per “It’s a Wonderful Life” —-- “Remember - no mans a failure who has friends”