I learned many valuable lessons from my time in the Marines but the one I remember the most is the 7 P's, prior-proper-planning-prevents-piss-poor-performance. This section we did not properly plan for.
Day 60 (6/6/14)
Starting: VA 130, James River: 780.8
Ending: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, 800.8
Total Miles: 20
After saying goodbye to our new friends and host family for the night, James drove us back to Glasgow from Daleville to drop us off at the trail head.
It's back to the grind now that we don't have anyone hiking with us. The last four days hiking with others made us realize how much we're probably missing on the trail by keeping our heads down and just trying to tick off the mileage. But, unfortunately or not (depends on your perspective) we really want to hit our goal of finishing in five months. Because this goal is a little on the aggressive side, it doesn't allow us to make many trips down side trails to see an overlook or waterfall.
To make ourselves feel a little better about missing some potentially nice sights, we've started a list of things we would really like to see one day. Who knows, maybe when we retire we can have a highlight tour of all the great side trail sights.
Nevertheless, the trail still offers some spectacular views without going off trail.
We ended the day at a very nice shelter with only Jessica and myself there the entire night. This quiet respite was a nice change from the bubble of hikers we've been hiking and camping with.
Day 61
Starting: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, 800.8
Ending: Tye River: 828.1
Total Miles: 27.3
Our original plan for today was to go twenty-two miles as it was going to be a very hilly day and after the twenty-two mile mark, there was a very large decent which we thought would be better to complete on fresh legs. My knees are not fond of big descents, especially at the end of the day.
But our plans quickly changed when we came upon the following sign.
Milo is a former thru hiker from Richmond who completed the trail in 2011 and now hosts a Hiker Feed every year.
We knew we were in for a long day given the overall mileage and hilliness of the day with a 2,700 ft, 5 mile climb from the shelter, and a 3,100 ft, 5 mile decent at the end of the day. And we were still pretty exhausted from yesterday's hike. But, when there's food involved, we'll dig a little deeper to go further.
Halfway through the day we came upon two coolers. One was filled with Gatorade and sodas, in fresh ice, and the other had the best assortment of goodies we've come across yet. Today was shaping up to be a great day!
Love the trail magic!!!
We eventually made it to the hiker feed at 8:30. Thankfully, they still had food out and we were served BBQ sandwiches, black bean salad, kale salad, cake and beer. It was definitely worth the extra effort, although our bodies were pretty beat up after the last two days. Not only were they hilly but they were awfuly rocky too.
Day 62
Starting: Tye River: 828.1
Ending: Three Ridges Overlook: 839.2
Total Miles: 11.1
We woke up, limped out of the tent with stiff and aching muscles and were treated to two types of breakfast casseroles which were both delicious.
We planned on putting in another twenty plus mile day to get us within six miles of Waynesboro so the last day of this section would be close to a nearo.
When we originally planned this section I don't think we looked closely at the profile, if at all. Today's hike had another large climb at the beginning with a 3,000 ft, 6 mile long climb.
This pattern of big climbs up, with several miles of ridge walking, then a big decent down to a road sums up the hiking in Central Virginia. The good news is, this last climb is the last 4,000 foot peak we'll see until Vermont. I read last week that the amount of elevation gain and loss on the AT is equivalent of hiking up and down Mt. Everest sixteen times. I believe it!!
We made it over Three Ridges Mountain, much slower than our normal speed and eventually made it to a spot for lunch mid day.
After hiking only a couple miles after lunch we both felt like walking zombies, neither of us have been this exhausted hiking since we started. We were both completely wiped with nothing left in the tank. We decided to take a break alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway. As we were sitting there Jessica suggested we end the day, get a shuttle into town and slack pack the remaining eighteen miles tomorrow. I agreed, called her a genius and started making shuttle arrangements.
Thankfully we had service and we were able to get into town and get a room for the night.
Day 63
Starting: Three Ridges Overlook: 839.2
Ending: Waynesboro, VA: 857
Total Miles: 18
We got shuttled back to the trailhead at Three Rivers around 8:30AM. I have to applaud Waynesboro for their hiker friendliness. The shuttle cost us $5 and it was at least twenty miles, a shuttle in any other town would have cost around $40. Typically, shuttles charge a $/mile each way. Waynesboro also offers a list of a dozen or so individuals who will provide a free shuttle from the trailhead into town which is about four miles. It's very generous of them to do that.
Knowing we had a hotel room and a real meal waiting for us at the end of the day, helped us fly through the 18 miles. It took us less than seven hours to finish.
Overall, it was a difficult few days, partly from our own making and the terrain. But we're a little further ahead otherwise and we'll be in Shanendoha National Park tomorrow. We've heard hiking in the park gets a little easier, mostly because of the good terrain and the hills aren't quite as steep or long. Plus, there are a few waysides where you can get a hot meal almost everyday.
Thanks for reading the blog! We appreciate your interest and miss everyone back home!! Almost half way done!!
Happy Trails!
Z and Gia
Keep plugging along. 27.3 huh? I looked at the guide and my longest is 28 miles...and younger. You just have to show me up now don't you. You'll crush that soon enough. ;-) Only three more full moons left in your hike. Use one of them well.
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