Virginia Update and Overall Updates

Written by

I can’t remember where I left off with pictures. I’ll probably have repeats in here.

Hiking was good last week. We had a day where we saw 5 snakes. That was intense but all of them were just rat snakes. So nothing venomous.

I almost hit 800 miles but had to stop in Glasgow, VA to go to a wedding back home. I stayed at a hostel for 2 nights then took a car to Roanoke, VA. Stayed the night in Roanoke and visited three breweries/tap rooms — Deschutes, Big Slick Brewing, Old Salem Brewing.

The next day I flew home and have been home since. I got to see my sisters. See some college friends get married. Visit with Lilly’s family. And enjoy the luxuries of being home including lots of fresh fruit. I also got to surprise some of my close friends for the Game of Thrones finale. That was the reason for the radio silence on here.

While home, I’ve also exchanged some of my gear out. I’ve swapped my 0 degree quilts for 30 degree quilts. I have put my bugnet on my hammock. I threw my shoes away and got new ones — the Altra Lone Peaks lasted 800 miles… I’m extremely impressed with them! Bought some Darn Tough socks — these are a game changer in socks. Re-treated my clothing with Permethrin. Treated my new hammock with Permethrin. Re-treated my tarp and backpack rain cover with Scotch Guard. I purchased a tarp and bivy from Borah Gear. That will take about 6 weeks to make it to me. I’ve been told that the Shenandoahs are really bad for tent sites. So keeping the hammock through the Shannies is a smart move, I think.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy week. I get back on the trail tomorrow where I should hit mile 800. Shark Tooth and Turd will both be way ahead of me and I plan to do some really long days to catch up. I still think it will take 2-3 weeks to catch up though.

[googlephotos type=’google’ view=’photos’ album_id=’AIp0m5PBqKGLtu5ipHt6AXraj0D2nTa7oAD1eVQjmhKLzk9y5fRPQMWHkcZJEXszFI_u7GAxPshm’ media=’all’ layout=’square’ thumb_size=’150′ crop_thumb=’crop’ main_size=’1600′ tile_size=’1600′ ]

Comments

8 responses to “Virginia Update and Overall Updates”

May 20, 2019

Brenda

What do all these things mean? What did you do to your clothes? Why are the socks game changers? If 800 miles is a good shoe life, what will you do in 800 more miles? And when will I see you?

Reply
1. May 20, 2019
  
  Jeff
  
  Permethrin is a bug spray that you put on your clothes and kills bugs on contact when dry. I spray my hammock, clothes, shoes, and lines (suspension for hammock, line I hang food on) for tick prevention.
  Darn tough socks are like $20+ a pair. They have a life time guarantee for holes. They also are super comfortable. Padded well. Don’t have a seam on the toes. Awesome.
  Expected 600 out of the shoes. I have more pairs at home. Texting Lilly when I need new ones and she’ll ship them.
  I’m debating doing a 4 state challenge (go through 4 states in 24 hours). So probably mile 1200 (4 weeks)
  
  Reply
  1. May 21, 2019
    
    bob casteen
    
    What 4 states? I figure VA, WV, and PA. Are these correct? and if not what are the 4 states.
    
    Reply
    1. May 21, 2019
      
      Jeff
      
      Maryland is the last one.
      
      Reply
      1. May 21, 2019
        
        bob casteen
        
        Ah how many miles is that for the 1 day challange?
May 20, 2019

Bob Casteen

Catch up? Is it really worth busting you but to catch up? Aren’t you leaving sometime soon to see Brenda? More lost time. Just saying. Keep it up, know you will make it to the end

Reply
May 21, 2019

SMK

Re: catching up

You may want to strategize differently. If you’re going to play huge miles catch up I would personally do it in Southern PA. Very flat, farm hills there etc. The rocks don’t really start until Huron.

This next section of VA is back to “real” mountains. Careful not to burn yourself out there!

Reply
1. May 21, 2019
  
  SMK
  
  Actually I forgot, you have the shannies ahead. Yeah. You can blast through those. Once you’re “up” into them they’re flat ridge-ish rolling trail. Can probably make some huge miles there just watch out for the supermice and the nuisance bears!
  
  Reply