Today was totally amazing! It started out at Baileys Gap Shelter. The night was cold, but it warmed up quickly during the day and the sky cleared. It was absolutely perfect hiking weather.

I made pretty good time and had another 15 mile day! There was one big climb up Peters Mountain which included lots of switchbacks.

I met several southbound section hikers today. Now I know I’m not the only one. I met Mr Potato Head and Two Whoppers. They’re both ahead of me now but I might see them in town tomorrow. I’m headed into Pearisburg to do some shopping and make some repairs.

Mr Potato Head

Two Whoppers

The views from up on top of the ridge were totally amazing today. I hiked through an old apple orchard with open views into West Virginia.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #7 (5/15/19)
Start – Bailey Gap Shelter (660.2)
End – Stealth Camp / Spring (645.2)
Today’s mileage: 15.0
Total section miles: 84.6
Total miles on AT: 801.0
Section avg daily miles: 12.1

Did you notice? I made a big milestone today. 800 miles!

Things will get better – despite our efforts to improve them. – Will Rogers

I left War Spur this morning about 8 am; had a nice breakfast with others at the shelter.

Started out the day with about a 2,000 ft climb to the ridge at over 4,000 ft. Then it got cold. 🥶 My watch said 38 degrees and the wind was howling! Cell reception was spotty but I think I got my blog posted. I took a little video at Wind Rock up on top.

The last part of my day was a 3 mile descent through a rock field. Although there were some nice ferns.

The 8.8 mile hike to Bailey Gap turned out to be a tough one. Tomorrow looks to be easier. I’m hoping to do 11+ miles and camp along the WV/VA border on top of the ridge.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #6 (5/14/19)
Start – War Spur Shelter(669.0)
End – Bailey Gap Shelter (660.2)
Today’s mileage: 8.8
Total section miles: 69.6
Total miles on AT: 786.0
Section avg daily miles: 11.6

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks. – Will Rogers

I’m in an area with a little cell service. My posts may be day to day now.

Patience is a virtue – Puffin

Started the day on top of the ridge in the rain 🌧 and fog 🌫. I camped last night among a bunch of old cairns. There are lots of theories among hikers about what they’re for: apple storage, tombs, etc. Any thoughts, let me know?

I’m at War Spur Shelter tonight with some nice thru-hikers. We had lots of fun hanging our bear 🐻 bags together. There’s no cell service here, which is why this post is late. I hear that there’s little all the way to Pearisburg, so my posts will be intermittent.

I’m planning to do a shorter day next. We’ll see: It’s 8.8 to the next shelter and 12.7 to the second.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #5 (5/13/19)
Start – Stealth Camp (681.1)
End – War Spur Shelter(669.0)
Today’s mileage: 12.1
Total section miles: 60.7
Total miles on AT: 777.2
Section avg daily miles: 12.1

Today’s a day to spend indoors waiting for the weather to pass. Here’s the weather radar at 7:30 am.

I’ll be doing laundry and reading until later this afternoon. It’s only 1 1/2 miles (uphill) to the next shelter, so I’ll head out there this afternoon. Today’s a “Nero” (Near Zero), in hiker terms; essentially a rest day. Oops 😬. Changed plans. I actually ended up hiking a lot further. I’m stealth camping next to the trail on top of the ridge at almost 4,000 ft.

And now the news: Hikers attacked on the Appalachian Trail! This happened about 100 miles further down the trail, but I’m headed that way. The link below is to the local news with all the details.

https://www.wsls.com/news/virginia/southwest-virginia/two-assaulted-on-appalachian-trail-in-wythe-county

And after that cheery news, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #4 (5/12/19)
Start – VA Rte 621 (688.7)
End – Stealth Camp (681.1)
Today’s mileage: 7.6
Total section miles: 48.6
Total miles on AT: 765.1
Section avg daily miles: 12.2

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. ― Michelangelo