Grayson Highlands

Date: April 19th
Day: 39
Miles from Springer: 542.7
Miles to Katahdin: 1646.5
Morale: 5/5

Grayson Highlands state park was the most beautiful section of trail so far. Not only were there bald summits and views, but there were feral ponies everywhere you looked. We ascended Mount Rodgers (the highest point in Virginia) in the rain and fog. There were no views to be had, and we were worried that we were going to miss one of the most sonic sections of the entire A.T. The next morning, we were treated with amazing views above the clouds. It was the start to a wonderful day of views.

The stretch from Damascus to Atkins (where I am writing from now) included the famous partnership shelter. It is a two story shelter with showers and pizza hut delivery. There were lots of hikers there, and we had a blast. We made the easy twelve miles into town in time to get lunch at The Barn resturant. The lunch was okay, but the dessert was delicious. It was hot fudge cake, two pieces of warm cake with ice cream in the middle and whipped cream on top.

QOTP: “A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.” -Tim Cahill

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I hear that train a coming….

Date: April 14th
Day: 34
Miles from Springer: 468.8
Miles to Katahdin: 1717.1
Morale: 5/5

The has been a wonderful week. Every week is wonderful out on the trail, but this week has probably been the best so far. Shay and I met up with another group of hikers and we have formed a little team. We all hike together because our paces are so similar and fly by other hikers all day. One group of day hikers that we passed remarked that we were like a locomotive charging through the woods. We have since adopted that as our team trail name.

We have been having a great time together. In addition to meeting some new friends, the terrain has been the most beautiful on the trail so far.

Not only have we had great days hiking, but also great nights camping. Two nights ago we pitched our tents in a pasture with 360 degree views. It was a great spot and a wonderful night.

Last night we all stayed in a teepee at Woodchucks hostel. It was a pretty nice teepee, and a cool experience. Woodchuck had it custom made with A.T. logos and white blazes all over it.

North Carolina and Tennessee were very good to us, however I am looking forward to all that Virginia has to offer.

I am writing from Damascus where I am taking another zero day. It is a great little trail town that was worth spending some time in. I got some new shoes and socks at the outfitter, and had the best burrito of my life at Hey Joe’s Mexican resturant. It has been getting harder and harder to find good internet, and I hope I can continue doing these posts as often as I like. I actually had to do this post three times because the internet crashed. Until next time, happy trails!