It’s getting close to time to head back to the AT to finish up the south. The weather looks cold (lows below freezing at night), but clear and without rain for the first 5 days or so. I’m planning to make daily posts from the trail again, so keep a look out for them.
I’m heading to Florida to race my MC Scow before hiking, so the excitement begins…
I’ll be heading back to the trail in March to hike from Standing Bear to Boots Off Hostel. I should be around NOBO thru-hikers again over the 180+ mile hike.
I have also started writing a book about section hiking the Appalachian Trail. For a pdf of the 1st draft, open the”Finding Angels” page above, or the link: https://puffinshike.com/finding-angels-draft-copy-of-puffins-hike/
See you on the trail soon!
Well, the weather, which has been great so far, is turning foul for the next week or so. Here’s the forecast for Hampton, TN.
It will be about 10 degrees colder on the trail up in the mountains, perhaps even more so at Roan Mountain, the highest shelter on the AT. Temperatures should be below freezing at night!
So, it’s time to call this a short section and head home.
So when you’re cold
Stephen Cosgrove
From the inside out
And don’t know what to do,
Remember love and friendship,
And warmth will come to you.
Woke up at the crack of dawn at Abingdon Gap shelter. After oatmeal, coffee and personal care I headed north towards Virginia. I stopped for lunch at the VA/TN line before the long descent into Damascus.
It was nice to be in Damascus again. I was here in May of 2019 at the end of my SOBO Virginia section. It’s “Trail Town USA” and welcomes hikers. I had an early dinner at the Damascus Diner followed ice cream down the street.
AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #2 (10/11/23)
Start - Abingdon Gap (460.5)
End - Damascus, VA (470.7)
Today's mileage: 10.2
Total section miles: 21.6
Section Avg: 10.8
Total miles on AT: 1241.6
* Aquablaze to be included
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
Edward Abbey
It was a successful but long and somewhat painful day. Hiking 11+ miles on day #1 with a full pack is a lot. But I made it! I met lots of other hikers and am settled down at Abingdon Gap shelter for the night. Damascus, VA is just under 10 miles away; my destination tomorrow.
AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #1 (10/10/23)
Start - TN 91 (449.1)
End - Abingdon Gap (460.5)
Today's mileage: 11.4
Total section miles: 11.4
Section Avg: 11.4
Total miles on AT: 1231.4
* Aquablaze to be included
Mountains know secrets we need to learn. That it might take time, it might be hard, but if you just hold on long enough, you will find the strength to rise up.
Tyler Knott
Puffin's Hike 