I left Lost Mountain Shelter bright and early this morning for the hike into Damascus. We had rain last night but I stayed dry; sort of: the humidity continues to top 80%, as it has the entire trek.

After 2 miles on the AT, it joined the Virginia Creeper Trail, which parallels the AT into Damascus. The VCT is a “rails to trails” path. It’s flat and graded; a welcome change to rock hopping on the AT.

I almost flew into town, propelled by the thoughts of a warm shower 🚿 , laundry 🧺 and a clean bed 🛏. I was in town by early afternoon.

I did pass a snake on the trail. Geez, I’ve seen so many this trip: 3 copperheads, 2 black snakes and 2 garter snakes.

But here I am in Damascus! I’m so thrilled to have completed my goal and finished the AT through Virginia.

I’m at the Woodchuck Hostel for a short break before heading on.

And Yippee, I’m done. 🎉

I’ll put one more blog post up tomorrow with my final thoughts from the trail.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #23 (5/31/19)
Start — Lost Mountain Shelter (486.6)
End — Damascus, VA (470.6)
Today’s Mileage: 16.0
Total Section Miles: 259.2
Total Miles on AT: 974.6
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.3
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.3
Distance to Damascus: 0.0 Yippee!

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius

I hiked down off Mt Rogers today, starting at about 5,400 ft and ended up at Lost Mountain Shelter at about 3,400 ft. The vistas continued until after I ate lunch around Buzzards Rock.

To my surprise, I ran into “Trouble” on the trail. He and I hiked together for about 3 days in Pennsylvania last summer. It was awesome to see him again.

I’m with an interesting crew at this shelter. Teddy Bear is a Triple Crowner who has great stories about hiking the CDT. Everyone is sharing stories and telling about their highlights of the trail. It’s been a fantastic evening.

I’m one day’s hike from Damascus; if God is willing, I’ll finish this section tomorrow! 🙏🏻

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #22 (5/30/19)
Start — Thomas Knob Shelter (499.0)
End — Lost Mountain Shelter (486.6)
Today’s Mileage: 12.4
Total Section Miles: 243.2
Total Miles on AT: 958.6
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.1
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.2
Distance to Damascus: 16.0

I am a slow walker, but I never walk back. — Abraham Lincoln

Today was perhaps one the best hiking days ever. I left Old Orchard early and hiked UP into and through Grayson Highlands towards Mt Rogers. I’m at Thomas Knob Shelter (5,400 ft) for the night.

Here are some pictures from today:

By the way, got lucky when I made it to the shelter about 30 minutes before a thunderstorm came through and dropped a torrent on us.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #21 (5/29/19)
Start — Old Orchard Shelter (510.1)
End — Thomas Knob Shelter (499.0)
Today’s Mileage: 11.1
Total Section Miles: 230.8
Total Miles on AT: 946.2
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.0
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.1
Distance to Damascus: 28.4

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. ― George Bernard Shaw

“Tomorrow should be another short one as well.” Not!

I tried, but I couldn’t do another short day. I woke early and decided to try to make two shelters ahead. That coupled with an 11 mile day tomorrow will get me into Damascus a day earlier.

I’m at Old Orchard tonight and will press on through Grayson Highlands tomorrow. I promise to take lots of photos; there were none today. The highlight of my day was a 10 min trail side nap. 😴

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #20 (5/28/19)
Start — Trimpi Shelter (524.2)
End — Old Orchard Shelter (510.1)
Today’s Mileage: 14.1
Total Section Miles: 219.7
Total Miles on AT: 935.1
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.0
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.2
Distance to Damascus: 39.5

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. ― Langston Hughes

I am now entering the Mt Rogers area, which includes Grayson Highlands. I’ve heard from many NOBO’s about the misbehaving bears in the area. Many have lost their food, even with perfect bear bag hangs. Bear boxes are now installed at all of the shelters, so I’m hopping from one to the next.

Consequently, I only did 10 miles today. Good thing I’m a little ahead of schedule.

I’m at Trimpi Shelter tonight. There are lots of others here too.

Tomorrow should be another short one as well.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #19 (5/27/19)
Start — Mt Rogers Nat. Rec. HQ (534.2)
End — Trimpi Shelter (524.2)
Today’s Mileage: 10.0
Total Section Miles: 205.6
Total Miles on AT: 922.0
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 10.8
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.1
Distance to Damascus: 53.6

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. — Charles Darwin