Knew it was coming for a few weeks now, but I wasn’t quite ready. The last couple days put me over the edge. Continue reading →

Not sure what happened to the end of the last post. This is what changed my mind today.
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Muhammad Ali – the greatest

For now,
Digdeep
P.S. bears stink really bad

Everyone tells you the states with the most bears are Georgia and New Jersey. I would say Virginia is bear crazy! I have seen or heard bears at least a few times a week and more shelters have closed because of bears becoming aggressive. Continue reading →

These next few photos will show you why my shorts have holes in them!

The way down is much harder and some hikers are much braver than myself!

Made it into Troutville for their mini trail days fest. A local church had pancake breakfast, lunch and will do a big pasta dinner. They allow camping in the town park and we can take showers and do laundry across the street at the fire station.

Swear I’m going to gain weight on this hike! I’ve had quite a bit of trail magic and doing shorter days means I’m burning less calories, but still pigging out with the best of them.

Big thunderstorms are brewing and I’m heading to the firestation. More on bears tomorrow….
Digdeep

After days of rest my backpack felt like 100lbs., but I’m back on the trail and made it 8 miles to first campsite. My leg feels like caca and tomorrow is 11 miles to next camp with water source. Don’t know if I mentioned this, but water weighs 2.2lbs per liter. Normally you can carry 1.5 and make it a few miles to the next stream. It’s hot and humid and I could go through a gallon in no time. Plus cooking water. So, tomorrow will also be caca. Continue reading →

Another day, another hostel for a few days. Made it into Pearisburg, VA with a little help and went straight to hiker doctor. I started having problems with my opposite knee because of compensation. Using it to pull up weight on boulders and always landing on it when coming down has put a big strain on the tendons. Luckily the joint looks good, but unlucky because the tendons could take awhile to heal. Dr says stay off it for 4-5 days and start back with short miles. Unfortunately, my second day back has no water sources for 12 miles. I should know by day 2 if this is going to work. Keep your fingers crossed. Continue reading →

Ponies where are you? I have walked through 3 cow pastures, heard the cows close by, saw poop and never saw the cows because the fog is so thick. Continue reading →

Grayson Highlands State Park is huge!
This means I got to climb Whitetop Mtn and Mt Rogers all in the same horrible storm. Continue reading →

Everyone looks forward to putting in huge miles in “flat” Virginia. While I’ve experienced some easier trail, I’ve also experienced more rock climbing and horrible weather. But it’s super green and beautiful. Continue reading →

Once again there has been so much to talk about and I’ve had no service for the week. It leaves me talking out loud while hiking and this seems to work better than wearing bells to alert bears. Continue reading →