Day 2 - Sunday, June 30, 2019

Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch - 16.3 miles

Yeah!  I had last year’s day 2 on my mind all day.  If you don’t had was the day of my fall which ended my hike.   I had plenty of opportunities for a repeat today but it was a good despite the weather.    It rained all day with two large thunderstorms.   The trail was a stream and because it has rained so much lately many of the walk boards are under water.   I had to ford several high streams.   Even without the weather this section of trail is tough.  At times, the trail required all fours to climb the huge boulders going up to south kinsman peak.   Today was one of the most physical hikes I’ve ever done.   During the second thunderstorm I stopped in to see my first hut.   These are like “The Hike Inn” in Georgia but there are many of them in the White Mtn.  I saw a total of 5 people today so the trail was definitely not crowded.   

Tomorrow I head out on trail and may not have phone service.  My next town stop is the evening of July 4th.   Happy Independence Day!   

Trail runs beside the stream

Picture don’t capture just how rocky it was today.

Day 1 - Saturday, June 29, 2019

Kinsman Notch to Glencliff NH Hwy 25 - 9.3 Miles. 

Short day over Mt Moosilauke today at 9.3 miles.   Started at 8 and completed around 1:15.   The weather was rainy and visibility on the ridge was poor.   The climb going up the Northside was rocky and steep but I felt good. I reached the Shelter (1.5 miles) in 1hr and 10 mins.  With less than a mile to go I got turned around at a road crossing.  I spend 40 minutes hiking around before reconnecting with the correct trail before completeing the section.  My walk app on my phone reads 14.6 miles so I did get some extra exercise today.    I met man and son hiking today.   Dad’s trail name is  Mozzie Mike and he has a YouTube channel.https://youtu.be/z1hPHcGWznU . Check it out.   

Mt Moosilauke 4802’

Day - 3,-2,-1 - June 26,27 and 28, 2019

Final Prep and Travel - Ready to Go!

Wednesday was a day of final checks and equipment decisions.  The biggest being footwear and sleeping bag.   I decided to continue in trail runners vs boots.   I also decided to take winter vs summer bag.   

Thursday was a difficult day as my father in law was not feeling well and we delaying our drive to Richmond waiting on test results and a call from his doctor.  At 2:00 pm we decided to leave for Richmond and at 5:30 we learned they were putting him in the hospital.   Please pray for Fred and a quick recovery.   We arrived at our good friends’ (Danny and Tracey) house around 7:30.

Friday - We had an early start this morning (5:00 am).  Lisa took me to the RIC airport before starting her 5 hour drive back to Bristol to see her dad.  I had a 7:20 flight to LGA then  on to BOS.   6:40 p.m.....  Well it’s been a long day and I still have a couple of hours to Lincoln, NH.  Lisa reported that her dad is doing a little better this evening.   All is set, I will head to the trail in the morning.   

Day -4 - Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Jenning’s Visitor Ctr to Atkins, VA.  

- 12 Miles

Well the warmup hike is complete with 74 miles under my belt.  I hiked with another section hiker “Apple Jack” today and made great time.  He lives in the Bristol and maybe a good hiking partner when we are in the area.   We stopped by Lindamood Settlers Museum to see the 1800’s school house (see punishment list below).

My feet and legs are doing well.  I only have one sore toe.  I will use tomorrow as a final equipment prep day and Thursday is a travel day to Richmond.  My flight is early Friday morning and I’m back on the trail on Saturday in NH.  I getting excited to get the Last Section started.   

View from Glade Mtn 

Punishment List at Lindamood 

Day -5 - Monday, June 24, 2019

Dickey Gap to Pat Jenning’s Visitor Center 14.1 miles

Thank you Danny Seamster “Eeyore” for driving from Richmond to hike with me this morning.  Great Fun!  Weather was nice for a change.  We got started this morning around 8:45 from Dickey’s Gap with a plan to reach VA 670 (S Fork Holston River) by 1:00.  This was so Eeyore and Tracey (wife) could drive back to Richmond this evening for work tomorrow.  Well we seriously miscalculated the time needed to walk this section.  We arrived before 11:30 with no phone signal to let our wives know we were early so we took a long lunch.   I got back on trail at 1:40 with 7.8 miles remaining.  I finished strong at 4:15. Lisa was there to pick me up and shuttle a couple of hikers (Summit and AppleJack) to downtown Marion.   Met several hikers today including three three families.   It was a Good Day!

“Eeyore” as we hiked through a cow pasture.

Day -6 - Sunday, June 23, 2019

Wise shelter to Dickey Gap - 16 Miles

Restful night at Wise Shelter just as it started getting dark it started raining and temps dropped for a comfortable sleep.  I left camp at 7:20 with a goal of being at Dickey Gap by 3:00.  The morning weather was fog on the mountain tops as I hiked over several bald knolls with horses and/or cattle.  The afternoon provided some much welcome sun.  I saw Comer Creek Falls just before reaching the parking lot.   Today was all about building endurance.  I arrived at 1:52 will no long breaks.  Tried but satisfied with a good walk.

Comer’s Creek Falls

Oh my gosh....our friends from Richmond just pulled into the parking lot to pick me up.  Danny is going to hike with me tomorrow.  That is what I call wonderful “Trail Magic”.

Day -7 - Saturday, June 22, 2019

VA 601 to Wise Shelter. - 15.1 miles

Thanks to Lisa for shuttle me back to the trail.  Got back on trail approx. 9:45.   The first 1.5 hours was a climb up Whitetop Mtn.  I came out of the woods as it was beginning to rain at the parking lot of Lewis Fork Wilderness.  I sit under the information sign and had a quiet lunch.  After lunch I starting climbing again up Mt Rogers (Virginia’s highest point).   It rained most of the afternoon.  At the top I stopped at Thomas Knob Shelter and spoke with the ridge runner (Gazelle) who Thur hiked in 2018 before hiking the last 5.5 miles to Wise Shelter.  The rain stopped and sun came out between Thomas Knob and Wise Shelter. So I was able to get dry before getting to the shelter.  Today’s hike had a lot of rocks, roots and water.   I rock hopped all afternoon.   I only had one near fall but all is fine.   Legs are doing well but I still need to get the endurance up.   Legs began feeling tried around mile 12 today.  I did meet a couple of guys at the shelter so I didn’t have to eat dinner alone.  Well it is Hiker Midnight so that’s it for tonight.  On to Troutdale in the morning.

Day -8 - Friday, June 21, 2019

Damascus to VA 601 Beech Mtn Rd.  17.3 Miles

Lisa dropped me off in Damascus at 9:30 am..   Today’s hike gave me 5,000 ft of climbs which is exactly what I needed to start working on my “Trail Legs”.   Hike was comfortable this morning with fresh legs but in the afternoon I was feeling the miles.    I made a mid day decision to have Lisa pick me up this evening to avoid forecasted thunderstorms and severe weather which are to start early Saturday morning.   If the severe weather is over in the morning I will get back on trail at VA 601.   I should sleep well tonight.

Pre Hike - June 19, 2019

Plans are set for a 2nd Attempt at Last Section

My plans are set for returning to the trail this year.   On Friday, June 21 I will start my buildup Hike.  I will start in Damascus, VA heading north on the AT.   I plan to hike for 5 to 6 days up to Atkins, VA.   On Thursday, June 27 I will begin my travels back to NH.   My plan is to travel to Lincoln, NH and restart on the trail on Saturday., June 29.   Assuming all goes well I should reach Katahdin early August.   I will use tomorrow for final prep.