Greg's 2022 AT Journey

(Hero = Half Day) Shared a room with Free Solo at Howard Johnson after our marathon, slept 11 hours and didn't start thinking until 3p!  Ran into HaTrick fm NC and Lumen fm WI slack packing back to Daleville. Met Mamasan fm Poconos heading South bound Larry fm Jacksonville FL, I knew I forgot my chair

RATC get their own blog because I've see so many of their volunteers over the past two weeks maintaining the trail. Here's leader Julie and her crew from last Sunday. Remember John mowing the lawn back in Bland Thursday, Bill (RATC Pres) let me put my engineering skills to the test on this huge limb. It was caught in branches above and handing straight down. His co-volunteer Jim and I rocked it about 5 times before our finally came down exactly where I predicted. Later, I ran into two now volunteers, Greg and Mark , on their way to work with the others. As much as we love Trail Magic, RATC and the other volunteers are the ones who make Thru Hiking the AT possible. Our deepest appreciation to all of you!!!

Hiked the distance of a marathon (26.2mi) in one day!  Was lucky to hike the whole way with Free Solo a German who move to Detroit at 19. Having done 18 real ones, I can tell you it's a LOT easier... especially since we didn't have my pack!   It a a lo-oo-ng hike, so LOTS of pics... We really enjoyed hiking on the creek The beautiful pastures And seeing lots of cows Well, most of them... it's the bulls you have to worry about right? Trees are starting to fill in... soon it will ALL be a Green Tunnel Met Amber fm AZ and Lauren fm TN with her dog Annie.  They're currently working for the government in DC, so they popped down to Catawba to camp 3 day and see McAfee Knob. My Victory dance on McAfee Knob Lots of amazing views along Tinker Cliffs Now, see that ridge just beyond the river... Well now I'm on it looking back south... 12 miles later with 8 miles left in my marathon! And finally, a few new flora...

Spent the entire day chilling with Yogi, Squirrelly and Forest Lore'ist (see D49 post). She had shoes too small but got new ones today! The 3 call themselves Fellowship of the Oak. Wish I had half their energy! Here we are with Sprocket, caretaker (and Den Mother) for 4 Pines Hostel. It's like a commune and was a great place to spend 3 nights. I even made everyone waffles this morning. ... using eggs from their chickens!

Joined the 700 Mile Club today!!! "Boy Banding" at Dragon's Tooth with Rainbow, Princess Crisp, Spider Monkey, Hangman and Prince Charming View of Blueridge fm top of Dragon's Tooth

88 degrees... another record heat day.  Made it 9 miles, but only thanks to Sleepy giving me some emergency food and Sloth (who I named) hiking with me  Before our 1st big climb of the day, we ran into more Roanoke ATC volunteers giving up their Sunday to clear trails for us! Sloth holding Trail Magic soda we just found! Sloth and I struggle up the hill as Steve (fm VA Bch) runs past... is that a Navy EOD logo? Stud!!! Finally succumbed to the heat and was rescued by the 4 Pines Hostel shuttle where I'll spend the next 2 days recovering.

It's gonna be 80 today... didn't we just hike in snow last week! Had to stop at a shelter for a couple hours because the heat got to me. Coffee and Ragnar (fm Indiana) happened by and helped me hike the next 6 miles.  (can't let guys 8 years older show me up) We met Paul (volunteer with Roanoke AT Club) fixing a cow gate (Ragnar and Coffee in back) Then we hiked thru the most beautiful pastures in Virginia Left Ragnar and Coffee at Sarver Hollow shelter and climbed to The Ledges for this incredible view Unfortunately, it was also the HARDEST terrain of the AT so far... very canted) Crossed the Divide... And finally made it to Niday Shelter... broken and defeated!

Had a great view from my campsite last night. Meet Squirrelly and Yogi fm Ohio who assisted their friend Forest (not shown) when her shoes got too small. Hikers helping hikers! Southern terminus of Allegany Trail at Mile 654. Will add to my bucket list... after I build Cindy a house! Got to War Spit shelter where the river created two beautiful branches

  Sunrise at my campsite Rock ledge overlooking Pearisburg More rocks... but cool! Even cooler behind them!!! No... I'm not going in there! And now nothing but flora...

Didn't see this in any of the YouTube videos! Think I prefer the smell of filthy bodies over weed. Mid-day, I ran into Amazon fm GA and Pathfinder fm Ohio who were auto at the Hostel... but not smoking weed! Hiked thru miles of eucalyptus canopy ..and along this beautiful creek The famous Dismal Falls where 4 people were attacked or killed by the same guy. Read more at  Randall_Lee_Smith Doc's Knob Shelter at M628 complete with porch and picnic table. The stoners show up so I hiked 5 more miles to escaped Sunset at my new campsite Some other pretty views...