Day #48 - AT Hike

Wednesday, April 29 - Day #48 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 16.7
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 613.6/2,193 (27.98%)

Niday Shelter (687.8) to Four Pines Hostal (704.5)

Total ascent - 3,958’
Total descent - 4,102’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Coming to you live from the Four Pines Hostal. I decided to go an extra mile than planned to sleep under a roof tonight - raining now & thunderstorms predicted. I’m breaking my rule of not sleeping in a community Hostal. I’m still carrying my hand sanitizer with me at all times and sleeping in my liner and sleeping bag. There’s only 3 of us here - 2 cans, Cliffhanger, and myself. Chick Peas and Amber are here as well - but they are tenting out back - they decided to do an extra 6 miles after dinner so they could go for Daleville tomorrow (only getting back after dark)

Today was intended to be a lesser, more relaxed day. Due to the extreme technical nature of the trail - it was anything but that. The first 9 miles were really nice and enjoyable - I met up with Chick Peas and Amber at a couple breaks. Then - the afternoon happened. BRUTAL!

First off - in my pre-hike prep (a blog I posted back in February) - there were a few spots I was really looking forward to in Virginia:  Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. These are all known to be spectacular views - with McAfee Knob being the single most iconic photo of the entire AT.

Today - Dragon’s Tooth was first up - around Mile#14 of my hike (end of day). I was excited to see it. Well - let me say that the “cliffs” leading to/from Dragon’s Tooth were the single most dangerous climbing I’ve done on the entire trail to date. The others here at the Hostal corroborated it. I am not exaggerating at all - there were a couple times I was scared for my life. I had to throw my trekking poles off these huge cliffs and crawl with my hands and feet. Now - Bouldering can be fun when you’re day hiking with no pack or a very small daypack. If you read the reviews for the Dragons Tooth dayhike - it’s all thumbs up. HOWEVER - bouldering with a 35 pound backpack that’s big and top heavy - is straight up ridiculous. My only saving grace - it was not raining at the time. If it was raining during this section - it would have been almost suicidal to try it.  I was almost angry during this section.  I honest to god am not being weak here - and I’m not a complete newbie to hiking —- there were “caution” signs all around for a reason. It doesn’t matter who you are - if you put a 35 pound pack on anybody and have them do these cliffs — it’s a tough ask.

The folks here at the Hostal indicated there are a few sections in New Hampshire and Maine like this as well. There are potential areas where you can slackpack (have a hotel/Hostal keep your big bag and you take a daypack - they pick you up after a section and bring you back to the hotel/Hostal). This is something I will consider. If I had no pack today - I really don’t think it would have been all that bad - and probably a lot of fun.

Tomorrow I get to see McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. Everybody has said the trek tomorrow is much smoother - I’m looking forward to it.  McAfee Knob is on the cover of Bill Bryson’s Book - “A Walk in the Woods” (one of the covers). Hopefully I’ll have some good pictures to post

Here’s to a good nights rest out of the rain. Stay safe and stay strong out there!!

This was one of the easy cliff climbs

Afternoon break site

Bouldering

A walk through the woods

Really cool views

A sign to my Hostal from the AT

I saw a huge black snake 

Appropriate 

Power line views

Chilling on a break - picture by Chick Peas

Great scenery 

View from my hostal

Dragon’s tooth 

More views

Dragon’s  tooth

Excellent 

Creek crossing 

Day # 47 - AT Hike

Day #47 - AT Hike

Tuesday, April 28 - Day #47 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 18.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 596.9/2,193 (27.22%)

War Spur Shelter (669.4) to Niday Shelter (687.8) - tent at Niday Shelter

Total ascent - 4,053’
Total descent - 4,384’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Man - I’m a mess out there. I took another hard fall today while crossing a creek. Wet log, foot slide, BAM — leg contusion. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never thought I was that uncoordinated. It was raining, a complicated creek crossing - I should have taken more time to plan my course.

I smacked my lower leg really good - middle way up. Just to the side of the main bone (a direct hit on that bone would have been ugly). Immediately - the area started to swell and turn colors. I put my CNOC bag (just filled with cold water) on the area for about 15 minutes while I sat down. (I seriously need to travel with a medical team). I didn’t know what to do. I stood up and tried to walk. It hurt - but pain was tolerable. I figured I’d walk a little and see what happened with the swelling and pain. The swelling stayed stable and the pain dissipated.  I soon was walking normal after a mile or so. WHOA — that was another close call.

Coming into this journey - you’re certainly aware of the bees, snakes, bears, ticks, etc — but I knew an injury was my biggest concern (either from overuse or from a fall). Well - I’ve experienced both types in just the past 3 days.   Hiking the AT is kind of like playing football - you’re absolutely going to get hurt - it’s just “how bad” is it going to be. The goal (just like when I played football) - is to not let whatever is hurting take you off the field/trail. So far so good - but I need to be REALLY careful out here. Honestly - it’s not like I’m freewheeling it - I am being cautious right now - but falls are going to happen. I wonder if anyone has ever gone the entire 2,193 miles without falling?  I bet not.

I’m currently in my tent at the Niday Shelter. It’s getting close to 10pm. Chick Peas and Amber got into camp late - around 8pm. I was just finishing up my cooking. (I got in about 6:30pm and was the only person here until they showed up). I really enjoy talking to these guys.  Today - they said they’ve been considering running a marathon when they finish the AT.  WOW - incredibly coincidental. They’re talking about climbing Everest BaseCamp and running marathons.  Can you say - “This is my wheelhouse”.  We’ve definitely clicked on having things in common. Chick Peas is recently divorced, works as a computer programmer for the sailing industry. She travels around the world to attend various conferences. She recently got them to agree to a 6-month sabbatical for the AT and not working summer months in the future. Sounds like she’s a pretty valuable asset at her firm.

Today I did 18.4 miles - with 2 big climbs. A 1,800’ climb to start the day and another 1,300’ climb in the middle of the day. My feet are still incredibly sore and bruised when I get into camp. I’m just going to keep trying different things - Icing, elevating, Superfeet inserts, etc. At this moment in time - the last couple hours of the day are nearly torture. I cannot wait to get into camp. I think some of this is “par for the course” - but I don’t want to continue feeling like this.

Tomorrow I’m only going 15.9 miles (that’s the goal). We’ll see how my leg contusion and knotted calf perform.  15.9 tomorrow, then 17.2 on Thursday - that will give me around 10 miles into Daleville, VA on Friday. I’m planning a resupply and overnight there. No zero. I hope to get into town before noon and have the better portion of the day to rest.

Good night!  Here’s to being SAFE and HEALTHY!


                               Nice trails


                         This is where I fell


                       Another tough creek crossing


                      That’s the log I slipped on


                              Nice one


                        Typical fence crossing


                Looks like Napali Coast in Kauai


                               Beautiful pic


                          Went through open field


                                      Great pic


                     Eastern Continental Divide


                                Awesome!

Day #46 - AT Hike

I wanted to provide a quick update (not sure I’ll have cell coverage at camp later):

Leg is feeling MUCH better.  It’s a medical miracle. Yesterday, I experienced pain on every step, had a noticeable limp, was averaging 1-1.5 miles/hr, and was completely distraught - thinking I had torn my calf which would pull me off the trail

I woke up this morning and noticed I didn’t have that knot on my calf I had felt the past couple days.  I didn’t want to put any weight on that leg when I went to get out of the tent.  I slowly tried it. IT WAS OK. Sore to the touch for sure - but nothing like I felt yesterday.

I’ve been walking all day with pain being a nonissue, no limp, averaging 2-2.5 miles/hr, and I feel very optimistic for the days and miles ahead.  I can’t believe it!!!

I am so very THANKFUL!

Per Tom Hanks in Castaway ——. “I gotta keep breathing - because tomorrow, the sun WILL rise.  Who knows what the tide could bring in”

——————————



Day #46 - AT Hike

Monday, April 27 - Day #46 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 18.9
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 578.5/2,193 (26.38%)

Tent sue (650.5) to War Spur Shelter (669.4) - tent at War Spur Shelter

Total ascent - 3,448’
Total descent - 4,414’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Coming to you live from my tent at the War Spur Shelter- Mile# 669.4 on the AT. I’m always 90.9 miles less then the current marker due to the Smokey’s Bypass. I’m nearing the 600 mile marker myself.

Well - I provided a little bit of an update mid-day because I anticipated that I would not have cell signal at this location (because I’m in a valley). I was correct - no coverage (I’ll post tomorrow on mountaintop)

I’m still really stunned how my leg did a complete turnaround today. I’m so very thankful!  It’s amazing how days can be so different.

Today started freezing cold with rain - but the weather improved every hour of the day. I hiked a bit with Chick Peas and her daughter Amber. They’re staying at the same shelter as me as well. Last night - it was pouring rain and probably 35 degrees up on the mountaintop (3,000’+) when I arrived into camp. I chose to just get in my tent with no dinner. Today - I arrived at camp to sunshine and probably 55 degrees. I ate dinner with Chick Peas and Amber — it was really great. They actually have a pretty similar goal as mine - complete in mid August. Only problem - they’ve already done the Smokey’s - so at some point - I’ll lose touch with them.

Really interesting people - Amber is 15 years old and she is hiking with her mom (Chick Peas).  They have plans to do Everest Base Camp next year - so we talked about that quite a bit. They were asking me about high altitude spots to train - they would like to check out Leadville, CO. I can’t get over how impressive this young girl is. Her mom lets her hang the bear bag, get water & filter it, help fix dinner — she is as prepared for this hike as I am (and I did alot of prep). They both are faster than me. I could only hang with them a little while on trail.  I think Amber is giving her mom all she can handle with the speed.

Today was challenging to get the 18.9 miles completed - but I took my time and made sure to monitor how my legs were doing along the way. It was a good day overall

I also tried out my Superfeet inserts. Good returns here. The inserts give my heel a bit more cushion and have a harder shell so I can’t feel every rock/root.  I’ve been skeptical of shoe inserts in the past. My general thought is - shoe manufacturers spend tons of time designing shoes for certain purposes. If you buy these shoes and then put in some kind of insert that effectively alters what the shoe was designed for —- shouldn’t you just be buying a different shoe?  I honestly still feel this way. I believe the Altra Lone Peaks may not be the right shoe for me at the end of the day. I trained for 4 months with these and probably put nearly 350 miles on a pair before I started my hike. The 2 things I didn’t do in my training - I only ramped up to about 12-13 miles/day and the hills I climbed were nowhere near as steep as these hills.  I really like the shoes for comfort. They feel great on my feet and I haven’t had blister issues. Since I’m mid-hike, it’s hard to just scrap these shoes for something completely different, therefore - I’m going to give these Superfeet inserts a good trial.  I can already say for sure that they eliminate the sharp jabs from all the rocks/roots I come across everyday. Now - I just need to evaluate how that slight raise in the heel performs (more arch support).

Here’s to continued good health!!  Honestly - everything really starts with being healthy. It’s something that is sometimes taken for granted - but is super critical to accomplish any of your goals or dreams.

Goodnight from Virginia!

Cool river pic

On the trail

Very rocky afternoon 

One of many signs on trail

Day #45 - AT Hike

Sunday, April 26 - Day #45 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 14.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 559.6/2,193 (25.52%)

Pearisburg - Plaza Motel (636.1) to Tentsite (650.5) - camp

Total ascent - 3,586’
Total descent - 2,119’

Total States Completed - 1/14

** Rain Day

A really tough one out there today. My body is revolting against me. Off days are good - but for whatever reason - my body must think its completed it’s work when it has that rest - and when I start up again - my body becomes very angry.

Specifically - on Friday coming into Pearisburg, I had a different feeling in my calf I haven’t felt since I’ve been out here. To this point - my pain has been concentrated on the lower calf right above the ankle (center-cut).  It hurt primarily when I was climbing steep slopes - but not so much pain any other time.  It was bothersome - but I was never “extremely” worried.

The pain I’m experiencing now is much higher - on the inner portion of my left calf - just off the main bone in my lower leg.  I felt a knot there on Friday.  I had hoped being off my feet for 36 hours would help. Today - this pain came back and was consistent on every step.  This is very concerning for me right now. Concerning enough that I went 2-1/2 miles less than I had planned today - and I went crazy slow. I was out there for 9 hours or so for a little over 14 miles.

It’s 8pm now - I’m in my tent. Really cold tonight and raining. (Did I ever mention that I’m not a fan of cold, wet days?). I just took part in a conference call for my Everest Trip in October. Still so many unknowns to make a definitive call at this point. Sounds like it’s still on - we have until July 1st to lock in.

I’m feeling pretty down right now. I’m freezing, I’m very scared about my leg, I didn’t eat dinner (just a couple candy bars) because I was too cold to sit outside and didn’t want to cook in my tent (because this is supposedly a big bear area), and I’m all alone.

You know - sometimes you just need to go to bed, cut your losses, and pray for good things to come your way tomorrow. I just took 3 ibuprofen (only the 4th time on the whole trip I took ibuprofen- if that gives you an idea of how I feel right now)

Here’s to some sun, some good health - and a little positivity to come my way tomorrow.

Take care out there!

Rainy morning 

Late afternoon 

Had to walk 1-mile back to AT trail this morning 

Clouds rolling in

Things are getting green

More afternoon views

Day #44 - AT Hike

Saturday, April 25 - Day #44 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 0
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 545.2/2,193 (24.86%)

Pearisburg - Plaza Motel. (4th Zero of trip)

Total States Completed - 1/14

** Rain Day

Today was an excellent day for a Zero. It’s been raining most of the day - windy and cold - thunderstorms expected tonight.

I got up about 10am and have been laying around 90% of the day. I’m taking being lazy to a new level. The only time I went outside was to cross the street and walk through the Dairy Queen drive through for lunch. Dinner was pizza delivery and some Gatorade.

I really did need a day off my feet. I’m treating today like a day before a marathon - only standing/walking if it’s absolutely necessary. You know how you can check your steps on your phone - usually you’ll have over a mile or so just from basic daily routines - my total today was 0.39 miles - impressively low!

I honestly didn’t spend as much time planning today as previous off days. I know I want to target my next Zero for Waynesboro, VA at Mile 864.3 — but, how I get there will be based on how I feel, the weather, and trail conditions. I’ve found that it’s silly to project daily mileages - I usually adjust on the fly anyway. It’s pretty simple for the next 9 weeks - I’d like to go 16-17 miles daily on average. That will get me close to my projections leading into the hike. As of today - I’m at 545.2 miles - I had hoped to be at 555 (so 10 miles light). Not too shabby - I’m still right where I want to be. I’ll make up that 10 miles with time.

So - 228 miles to Waynesboro, VA. The next 400 miles (northern Virginia, Maryland, and Southern Pennsylvania) are widely considered the “easiest” miles of the AT Trek. Just like no marathon or 14,000’ mountain climb is ever “easy” - in relative terms - hopefully I can take advantage of this stretch.

It was great to talk with family today.  I’ll take that extra inspiration with me as I get it rolling again tomorrow.

Here’s to good health & happiness. Goodnight from southwestern Virginia.

Great day for a Zero - cold/rainy

Walking through DQ drive through

Snacks for upcoming 6 days

Day #43 - AT Hike

Day #43 - AT Hike

Friday, April 24 - Day #43 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 10.6
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 545.2/2,193 (24.86%)

Hostal (625.5) to Pearisburg (636.1) - hotel stay at the Plaza Motel in Pearisburg

Total ascent - 1,519’
Total descent - 2,899’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Pretty chill day today. I got started around 8:30am and hiked 1/2 mile back to the AT trail from the Hostal. Then 10.6 miles on the AT - and another mile to my hotel once I got to the edge of Pearisburg. So - really 12.1 miles total - only 10.6 miles on the AT.

It rained on/off during the hike - but not too bad. I called my mom on FaceTime- and she walked with me for a few miles (we even saw a snake while she was on with me). I got into Pearisburg around 1:30 pm.  It was really nice to finish a day in the early afternoon - my daily finishes have been after 6pm all week.

I grabbed a shower, did my laundry, went to the post office, and did my resupply at the grocery store all before 5pm. 2 great additions upon my arrival at the Plaza Motel. My Superfeet inserts had arrived today - even though I had received word they were to only arrive on Monday after I had gone. This was a great surprise - I’ll give them a try on the next stretch and see if I can notice any improvements. My feet have actually been hanging tough all week - but if these can help that heel pain - I’ll give it a whirl. The other awesome addition - and a special “Thank You” to my friend Martha - was a homemade mask I can wear while resupplying in towns — plus, homemade cookies and some sports rubs for my aching muscles.  Thanks again Martha - I really appreciate your support!

After a brief nap - I went across the street and picked up dinner at a Mexican Restaurant (take out only). Chicken fajitas- really tasty.  Then - to finish an extremely solid day - I had a virtual Happy Hour at 7:30pm with all my Lifetime Fitness friends back in Colorado! Even though I’m gone for a few months - these get togethers are really, really awesome & special. It’s great to see everybody, get an update on life in Colorado, and feel that connection again.

It’s 10pm now - I’m fired up to do absolutely nothing tomorrow.  My body needs this Zero. Have a great Saturday!

Across the street - I’ll visit here tomorrow 

Nice sites today between the raindrops

My home tonight/tomorrow 

More views

5th snake of trip

I’m prepared for my resupplies now

Great scenery 

View from my Motel

I’m 

My Superfeet inserts