Rice Field Shelter
Day: 72
Mileage: 619
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 634.2 | Va. 634, Cross Ave. (2,200') | 2200 |
| 634.6 | Lane Street to Bus. U.S. 460 (1,650') Pearisburg, Va. 24134 Pembroke, Va. Blacksburg, Va. | 1650 |
| 634.7 | Narrows Road, Va. 100 | |
| 635.2 | U.S. 460, Senator Shumate Bridge (east shore) over New River (1,600')Narrows, Va. 24124 | 1600 |
| 638.6 | Hemlock Ridge (2,470') | 2470 |
| 639.1 | Va. 641, Clendennin Road (2,220') | 2220 |
| 639.2 | Pocahontas Road (2,230')...reenter woods | 2230 |
| 640.2 | Stream (2,600') | 2600 |
| 641.3 | Springs (3,200') | 3200 |
| 641.5 | Rice Field Shelter (3,400') ?15.7mS; 12.6mN | 3400 |
06/25/96 8:51 pm
Here, on the jon writing my journel do de do......
But seriously, it was a good day with good company for a change. Started the day having a great breakfast at the Holiday Dinner (aka Annie's I think) with Seeker. Then back to the hotel to pack. Did not get out of the hotel until 1:30pm but everything was cool since checkout was suposed to be at 1pm anyway. The hike was up hill quite a bit, but I took a long break ½ way up and that helped. Seeker moved on, but I am here with Cosmic John who, as Jim 'syd' would say is 'ok he's really ok'.
Nice, new shelter, but too bad the water source is .5 mile away and silty as hell. Also the privey is a tank type and does like to splash.
Still feel tired all the time, John thinks it is diet related (because he had it too and has gone to a better diet to see if that helps), but since I only have 2+ weeks left I don.t think it will matter too much.
Last comment: great views from this shelter!
Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Day: 73
Mileage: 632.9
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 641.5 | Rice Field Shelter (3,400') ?15.7mS; 12.6mN | 3400 |
| 643.1 | Campsite and spring (3,450') | 3450 |
| 646.6 | Symms Gap Meadow (3,480') | 3480 |
| 647.6 | Groundhog Trail (3,400') | 3400 |
| 649.2 | Dickerson Gap (3,300') | 3300 |
| 651.4 | Peters Mountain Ridgecrest (3,860') | 3860 |
| 651.6 | Allegheny Trail Junction (3,740') | 3740 |
| 654.1 | Pine Swamp Branch Shelter (2,530') ?12.6mS; 3.9mN | 2530 |
06/26/96 7:14 pm
made it here, but I boy am I tired. Not because of the hike, wich was fairly easy, but I just have no energy. I hope I just have a small bug or something, and not anything major.
As I said, the hike was easy today, and I took a break every hour or so. Even sat and read for a bit.
Here now with a group of Quakers (18 in all) and Cosmic John.
Got bit by something on the back of my right knee when getting water and it still KILLS!
Had a 'shower' and washed out my cloths, thank G-d for good water sources that are near the shelter.
This shelter is dedicated to Robert Trimpi and is very close in design to Trimpi shelter. I wonder why they didn.t just call this one Trimpi Shelter?
War Spur Shelter
Day: 74
Mileage: 644.7
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 654.4 | Va.635, Stony Creek Valley (2,370')?USFS parking area | 2370 |
| 655.5 | Dismal Branch (2,480') | 2480 |
| 656.5 | Va. 635, Stony Creek (2,450') | 2450 |
| 657.8 | Spring (3,490') | 3490 |
| 658 | Bailey Gap Shelter (3,525') ?3.9mS; 8.8mN | 3525 |
| 661.7 | Va. 613, Mountain Lake Road (3,950') Salt Sulphur Turnpike | 3950 |
| 661.9 | Wind Rock (4,121')?vista | 4121 |
| 663.1 | Campsite and spring (4,000') | 4000 |
| 666.8 | War Spur Shelter (2,340')?8.8mS; 5.8mN | 2340 |
First Register Poetry:
Who is this strange animal, humankind,
Who runs around naming everything,
As thoug that would give it meaning,
Or reveal its mystery?
This creature so detached from what is real,
As to hunt already dead meat in a supermarket,
Or to buy some new wonder chemical,
To spread on his lawn or her toast.
So caught up in its own machination,
As to creat its own reality,
So out of touch with the world,
That it can't even listen anymore,
But to itself.
And yet Morality is dispensed,
As from a roll of toiletpaper,
For all to hear and obey.
The thing itself is before us,
The choice to not see or learn
From it is the root of our folly.
Who is this strong animal, Humankind?
By Botany Boy
06/27/96 8:38 pm
I have realized in the last few days that people are falling off the trail quite quickly now. Crag, I assume quit since he was at The Place for reportedly 1.5 weeks, guess it was the blues. Mo, 'Mrs. Lets Look For Good In Everything' left the trail because of depression, and now Seeker left because of a bad ankle - hopefully to return.
I guess I am doing ok then. I have been depressed for the last few days, as well as extreamly tired, but today I felt a little better. I think I was depressed because I only have a short time left on the trail.
Have done a lot of thinking over the last few days. In some ways I will be glad to go back, but everytime I think about it my mind looses the surenity of the woods. The .Real World. invades and actually clutters my mind with all sorts of things, and looking at them, they all matter very little here. Things like the Troop, looking for a new apartment, whats going on at work, and will they renew the contract matter little to me right now.
I know when I go back I will miss the simplicity of the trail. Where the major desissions of the day include 'what should I have for dinner', 'Should I take a break at the overlook', 'should I get water here', 'should I get up yet'.. ect. ect. ect.....
Things are so fake in the 'real world' everybody is after someting. Everyone pretends to be something they are not. Here the fake fisods (SP!) are gone. People can be taken at face value. It is so refreshing.....I will miss this most of all I think.
But the adventure I have had tis summer will be remembered for a long time. I have learned that my limits are what my mind sets my limits to be. If I think I can do 26 miles I can. I have learned that people are the same were ever they come from. We all need to eat, sleep and shit!
Well I guess I am getting to serious and philisophical toward the end of the hike.
On the lighter side: The mice here are nuts. I can put my light right no them and they don.t even flinch. I think they are planing their revenge for me distroying their nest. I think it is going to be a long night.
06/28/96 12:30 pm
Since I have a pretty easy day, I decided to goof off this morming and be a bum. Getting ready to pack up now. Finished reading 'So Long and Thanks for All the Fish'. The last message from G-d: .We apologize for the Inconvience. was perfect!
Feeling a little better today, but still a little weak (if that is the right word for it, I'm not sure). But today will help tremendosly in regaining my strength.
Last night the two mice that I saw in the early evening whent nuts. They were all over the place. They got their reveng all right. They woke me up twice. In my dreams I heard voices saying they were going to get me, when I awoke the mice were squeeking up a storm. They also started to build a nest in my backpack's side pocket, but I moved my pack to put and end to that. But all in all a very active night!
Well off to pack and do a 5+ mile day, boy I.m burning up the trail now!!!
Laurel Creek Shelter
Day: 75
Mileage: 650.6
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 667.6 | USFS 156, Johns Creek Valley (2,102') | 2102 |
| 668.6 | Stream (2,700') | 2700 |
| 669.6 | Va. 601, Rocky Gap (3,250') | 3250 |
| 672.6 | Laurel Creek Shelter (2,720') ?5.8mS; 6.7mN | 2720 |
06/28/96 7:11 pm
Well the next group of hikers caught up to me. Here with 4 others now including a couple from Quebec.
Nice, relitively easy hike from War Spur. And the Kelly Knob overview was great. Could have done without the leap of faith nessisary to get to the outermost rocks, but I was proud I made it without too much fear creaping in. Hope the pictures turn out ok.
Ffeel like a bum, only doing 5+ miles when everyone else did 18, but I.ll get over it.
Took a shower in the creek here. It has a perfect waterfall! Boy was the water COLD!! But it felt so good.
Tried a new dinner tonight. Took rice, mushroom gravy, mushrooms and dried beef. It was good and a nice change. Should have done that dinner instead of the mashed potatos.
Niday Shelter
Day: 76
Mileage: 662.8
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 673.6 | Spring (2,400') | 2400 |
| 675 | Va. 42, Sinking Creek Valley (2,200') | 2200 |
| 675.9 | Va. 630, Sinking Creek (2,100') | 2100 |
| 676.3 | Keffer Oak (2,240') | 2240 |
| 677.5 | Sinking Creek Mountain (south) (3,200') | 3200 |
| 679 | Sarver Hollow Shelter (3,000') ?6.7mS; 6.3mN | 3000 |
| 682.6 | Sinking Creek Mountain (north) (3,490') | 3490 |
| 684.3 | Cabin Branch (2,490') | 2490 |
| 685 | Niday Shelter (1,800')?6.3mS; 10.4mN | 1800 |
06/29/96 7:11 pm
Today, the hiking was a little different. Oh, the Va rollercoster ride still isn.t over, but at least the ridge walk had some nice overviews!
Did go down to see Saver Cabin and got some water there, but I dont have to imagin living in those conditions, I have been for the last 2.8 months. HA HA!
Met some week hikers when I got back to my pack after getting water. A father, son combo from the Va cost. Nice people.
Also picked up my fallen blaze Between 42 and 630. I hope it will survive in my pack for a few more days.
Did over 12 miles today, for the first time in a while. still feel a little low on energy, but I was able to do it no problems.
Nice water source here, so once again I was able to take a 'shower'.
Here with the same group as last night. Hopefully I will not have to wake up 3 times to take a piss like last night.
06/30/96 7:55 am
Had to set up the bivey last night (didn.t in the first place since it was so hot) because of the no-see-ums. They are terible here. Being eaten alive as I thype. Looks like it might actually rain today. If it does, at least I hope it helps cool it down!
Oh I think the Canadian couple are Compass and Needle (Ga -> Va .95 Va -> Md .96).
Pickle Branch Shelter
Day: 77
Mileage: 672.6
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 685 | Niday Shelter (1,800')?6.3mS; 10.4mN | 1800 |
| 686.3 | Va. 621, Craig Creek Valley (1,560') | 1560 |
| 689.7 | Brushy Mountain (3,100') | 3100 |
| 690.1 | Audie Murphy Monument (3,100') | 3100 |
| 692.3 | Brushy Mountain (2,600')?vistas | 2600 |
| 693.9 | Va. 620, Trout Creek, Miller Cove Road (1,525') | 1525 |
| 695.1 | Pickle Branch Shelter (1,845') ?10.4mS; 13.9mN | 1845 |
06/30/96 8:19 pm
Been here since around 3pm making for an easy day. The trail was very good up till VA 620 wich made for fast hiking.
The hike up from Niday to the top of the ridge was well switchbacked and did not have too many rock piles to climb. It was also helped by clouds and a nice breeze. At the top it was an old fire road and was the easiest hiking in quite some time. Whent to the Audie Murphy Monument. He was the most decorated WW II hero. He died in a plane reck near the memorial (hence it's location). The hiking was still easy for some time after that. But after crossing the road (VA 620) all hell broke loose. The sun came out, the trees were burnt down and the trail whent straight up. Boy it was a tuff one mile to the shelter turnoff. But the fun did not stop there. The trail to the shelter was almost straight down hill for what it said was a ½ mile. BULL maybe a 1+1/2 I would believe but not a ½ mile!! But it was almost worth the hike (it would have been woth it for a real bed and pizza Ha Ha). The shelter is nice, the privey ok and the water source superb. The stream, near the water source, is great for bathing too!
Oh yes, forgot in yesterdays enter to mention the dumb bird. This bird must have been in a teritorial dispute with annother bird becuase it would give it's call for 5 to 10 minutes straight, fly to a new location and do it all over again. Made for tuff sleeping especially when you add in the bugs and the heat!
Well it is getting dark and the bugs are coming out, so I'm going in.
Catawba Mountain Shelter
Day: 78
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 699.3 | Cove Mountain, Dragons Tooth (3,020') | 3020 |
| 700.3 | Lost Spectacles Gap (2,550') | 2550 |
| 700.8 | Rawies Rest (2,350') | 2350 |
| 701.8 | Va. 624, Newport Road, North Mountain Trail (1,810') | 1810 |
| 703.4 | Va. 785, Blacksburg Road (1,790') | 1790 |
| 707.7 | Va. 311, Catawba Valley Drive (1,990') Catawba, Va. 24070 | 1990 |
| 708.7 | Johns Spring Shelter (1,980') ?13.9mS; 1mN | 1980 |
| 709.7 | Catawba Mountain Shelter (2,580') ?1mS; 2.4mN | 2580 |
Mileage: 686.6
First a quote found in the register:
"I learned early that the richness of life is adventure.
Adventure calls on all faculties of the mind and spirit.
It develops self-reliance and independence. Life then
teems with excitement. But man is not ready for adventure
unless he is rid of fear. For fear confines him and
limits his scope. He stays tethered by strings of doubt
and indecision and has only a small and narrow world to
explore."
William O. Douglas (U.S. Supreme Court Judge)
07/01/96 8:47 pm
What a day today. I think the hiking around Dragon's Tooth to be some of the hardest of the hike.
Woke up around 6am when the Quebecers woke up and they kept me up. Got out of the sack and out of camp by 7:30am, wich is a fantasic acomplishment for me.
The hike out of Pickel Branch was A BITCH! and then you get to the AT and it goes up even more and more and more.
Then you get to Dragon's Tooth, wich was a GREAT and NEAT place with GREAT VIEW wich made the climb worth it, but then came the downhill. If I had technical climbing gear I would have been using it! I was using all fours, my ass and my pack to get me down some sections. It was the hardest downhill in a long time, if not the whole trip.
Got to Cataba Grocery and ate one hot dog, 2 personal pizza and an icecream sandwitch. Had a gatorade and chocolate milk. Also bought some groceries. Called Keith and Joan and verified all is seet for him to join me at Troutville.
The hike here was ok. Did stop at Boy Scout Shelter, but it was a dump.
Here now with Phoenix and Han Solo .95 (the guy did it in {5 and is doing it again because he loved it so much) and having a good time, in between bug bits.
Troutville, VA
Day: 79->81
Mileage: 704.3
| Miles from Springer | Features | Elevation |
|---|
| 709.7 | Catawba Mountain Shelter (2,580') ?1mS; 2.4mN | 2580 |
| 711.4 | McAfee Knob (3,199') side trail?vista | 3199 |
| 712 | Pig Farm Campsite (3,000') | 3000 |
| 712.1 | Campbell Shelter (2,580')?2.4mS; 6mN | 2580 |
| 715.2 | Brickey's Gap (2,250') | 2250 |
| 717 | Tinker Cliffs (3,000') | 3000 |
| 717.5 | Scorched Earth Gap, Andy Layne Trail (2,600') | 2600 |
| 718.1 | Lamberts Meadow Shelter (2,080') ?6mS; 14.4mN | 2080 |
| 718.4 | Lamberts Meadow Campsite, Sawmill Run (2,000') | 2000 |
| 722.4 | Angels Gap (1,800') | 1800 |
| 723.5 | Hay Rock, Tinker Ridge (1,900') | 1900 |
| 727 | Tinker Creek (1,165')?concrete bridge | 1165 |
| 727.5 | U.S. 220 (1,350')Daleville, Va. 24083 Roanoke, Va. | 1350 |
| 728.7 | U.S. 779, I-81 underpass (1,400') | 1400 |
| 729 | U.S. 11, Norfolk Southern Railway (1,300') Troutville, Va. 24175 | 1300 |
07/02/96 11:59pm
Today started early with Han Solo waking Pheonix and I up at about 6am. Of course I didn.t move to quick, but was still out of the shelter by 7:30. The hike today was great with some of the best overlooks of the trip (especially McAfee Knob)! I took a lot of pictures, trying to get into the picture within the 12 seconds, but I am not sure if I made it or not.
Glad Han Solo sold me film yesterday, since I ran out. Would have been a shame to miss these great shots.
Got to Lamberts Meadow Shelter just in time for a thunderstorm. So I cooked some Mac & Cheese and took a nap, some 3 hours latter I said I am going no matter what and by the time I packed up again the rain was over. What luck!
The hike into town was long but relatively dry. Did miss some overviews due to fog but thats ok.
Got to the hotel and met up with Han Solo and Pheonix again and we arranged to have dinner at Pizza Hut after Pheonix returned from the outfitter. When she did return she came back with a friend of Han's who he hiked with last year. We all went to dinner and the guest payed for all us. What a guy! He also invited us out to his place tomarrow, but I do not know if I will go or not.
Well its late...very late so good night!
07/04/96 1:03 am
Not much happened today except getting some of the normal stuff done. Got groceries, my mail and laudry done. Whatched TV, got my e-mail and cc-mail and relaxed and relaxed some more. It feels good to do nothing!
[Skipped sections from Troutville to Rockfish Gap - Keith wanted to hike in S.N.P.]
