Make it count: Day #49

Thursday, April 30 - Day #49 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 16.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 630/2,193 (28.73%)

Four Pines Hostal (704.5) to Lamberts Meadow Shelter (720.9) - tent at Lamberts Meadow Shelter

Total ascent - 4,038’
Total descent - 3,821’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Really solid day! 16.4 miles on the AT (and another 1/2 mile from the Hostal back to the trail) + over 4,000’ vertical ascent.

It rained heavily last night - so I’m extremely happy with my choice to go to the Hostal. I was the first out this morning around 7:30am. It was drizzling for the first hour and I was walking in water the better part of the morning (because the trail was flooded in many places).

The sites today did not disappoint. McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs we’re both spectacular. I really enjoyed the day. The trail conditions were very favorable - which helps with everything (time on trail, less foot pain, etc)

I got to McAfee Knob - the most iconic photo location of the entire AT around 12:30pm. I took some photos - but I REALLY wanted a photo of me on the rock. I was solo - nobody around. I was hoping 2 cans & Cliffhanger would show. (I knew they were a lot faster than me - but who knows when they would have left the Hostal). I decided to stall a bit. I ate some snacks, filtered some water, took more photos, and sent off some texts. Then — here comes 2 cans & Cliffhangar. Awesome!! They took a few shots of me out on the rock ledge. I was totally pumped! I’ll always remember that view and this day forever.

After McAfee Knob - there was a pretty substantial ascent to Tinker Cliffs. But - it was worth the effort. It’s a series of jutted out cliffs with outstanding views. The AT passed within steps of the cliff face on a number of spots. It was a little scary. I took a bunch more photos and then made the 1.6 mile trek down to the shelter.

All the folks at the Hostal last night went for Daleville today. Crazy! It’s another 10 miles. So - 2 can and Cliffhanger were doing 26 miles. Chick Peas and Amber were doing 20 (they had done 6 last night in the dark). My body hurts like somebody took a sack of quarters and started beating me with it. I wanted no part of 26 miles today. All good - I’ll get up early and do the 10 miles. Hopefully I’ll get into town by 11am. I have an early check-in — so I can get into my room right away.

The goal is to be showered, have my laundry completed, and have my resupply done by 3pm. Then - complete vegetation and eating the rest of the day.

I have a few things to plan tomorrow. Hopefully there’s some exciting times ahead in the next few weeks — the Smokey’s reopening, knocking off several states, and taking aim at the 1,000-mile marker.

Here’s to getting through the Virginia blues (it’s often referred to as this because the state lasts so long on the trail). Hang on - the ride is about to get interesting quickly!!