Day 77 - 90, 31 May - 13 Jun, Erwin, TN to Damascus, VA

Anyone who has taken part in a long distance sport event; marathon, triathalon; knows of "hitting the wall".  Well, I think Mom and I hit our wall coming into Damascus, VA.  We have spent a week here at Woodchuck Hostel in Damascus, VA resting and slackpacking and are rejuvinated and motivated to head back out onto the trail on to Harper's Ferry, WV.  We have found two new hikers to slackpack with us on up the trail through Virginia.  I have thoroughly vetted them  and am confident we won't have any issues like we did with the last guy.

This AT hiking thing ain't easy, but if it were we wouldn't be doing it...haha.  So onward we trudge!!!!

You know you have been hiking hard when you have worn your SmartWool socks down to their bare threads.

Hendo's socks with white strips along the arches where socks are worn down to the threads

Sun 1 June - Iron Mtn to Hughes Gap-371.2 miles

Juveinile snake

This area of NC and TN is the center of the christmas tree farm universe. Christmas tree farm on the side of a NC mountain

Sat 31 May - Hughes Gap to Carvers Gap-377.5 miles

Red Eft

Cloudland on top of Roan Mtn

Roan Mtn shelter, highest shelter on the AT

On top of Roan Mtn

Mon 2 June - Carvers Gap to 19 E - 391.8 miles

Scouting out parking areas, found ourself in the middle of a christmas tree farm

Hiking over Jane Bald

The usual not so smooth AT

Overmountain shelter, an old barn

Little Hump Mtn

Commemorative plaque on Hump Mtn

Fence obstacles to keep cattle out

Up and over obstacle

 
Finally done with North Carolina!!!!!

Tues 3 June - 19E to Walnut Mtn Rd - 402.7 miles

Wed 4 June - Zero Day


Thurs 5 June - Walnut Mtn Rd to Dennis Cove Rd - 417.0miles

A memorial bench to Vango, a hostel owner along the AT near ampton, VA

Mom enjoying Vango's bench

Hendo enjoying the bench and view

Small world...we met an old friend and former choir director of Mom's at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, Terry Cunningham (Midwest Mama). We had a great day hiking with her.

Midwest Mama and Hendo's Mom at Hardcore Cascade.

Fri 6 June - Zero Day


Sat 7 June - Dennis Cove Rd to Wilbur Dam Rd - 429.8 miles

Sign leading up to Pond Mtn...glad I left y hanglider at home!!

Hendo soaking her feet in Laurel Fork Creek

Laurel Falls

Wilbur Dam holds back Watauga Lake, it is an old school earthen da, this is the terraced backside of Wilbur Dam.

Watauga Lake, formed by Wilbur Dam

Huge Beaver hut in Watauga Lake

Sun 8 June - Wilbur Dam Rd to TN 91


Mon 9 June - Zero Day, Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus, VA


Tues 10 June - Zero Day,Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus, VA


Wed 11 June - TN 91 to USFS 69

Thurs 12 June - Zero Day, Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus, VA


Fri 13 June - USFS 69 to Damascus -467.6 miles

We made it to Virginia!!!!

Made it to Damascus, VA

Yay...Damascus!!

Special thanks to Woodchuck, owner and operator of Woodchuck Hostel in Damascus, VA and former AT thru-hiker.  His hostel and hospitality have been the best yet on the trail.  Mom and I were feeling pretty down when we got to Damascus, but a week of slackpacking, relaxing and visiting at Woodchuck's has done our minds, bodies, and souls good.  We are re-motivated to move on up the trail, but are sad to have to say goodbye to Woodchuck for now, not to worry, we will definitely be back again!!!

Hendo's Mom, Woodchuck and Hendo