Hiking Dude Blog

I walked 52132 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 20 miles today.
This was probably the longest 20 miles I've ever hiked. Tenting outside the shelter tonight with hopes it will be cool and quiet. The morning was tough - I got stung on my left knee by a yellow jacket, but it seems to be fine. Then, getting water, I slipped and cracked my left shin on a sharp boulder, but not much blood. I still hiked 12 miles since then so we're good to go. Passed through two wilderness areas today.

Saw a snake - copperhead

I walked 51922 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 22 miles today.
Hiked pretty much alone all day, meeting up with A-town on top of a mountain for lunch. Covered many miles but it got terribly hot this afternoon followed by a sudden rainstorm that caught me just 1 mile from the shelter. If you're the praying type, a little healing for Vanilla Thunder's feet would be appreciated. Hopefully, he's testing up and we'll see him in a few days.

I walked 52176 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 23 miles today.
We hiked under The Guillotine today! A suspended rock over the trail. I chatted with yet another W&L group - every one has been just great. They are friendly, courteous, and following Leave No Trace principles. I also saw a garter snake but that's the only wildlife. Plenty of climbing though. Tomorrow will be even a couple miles longer to stage a short hike into town on Saturday. Looking forward to a shower and more food - I'm almost out.

Here's the guillotine.

I walked 59384 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 27 miles today.
Met a bunch of day hikers on the trail. Many (most) of the water sources are just mud since the area has had little rain. A bird watcher from hawkcount.org (I think) and a motorcyclist gave me water which was very helpful since it was over 80 in the shade. I managed to get stung in the back of the head by a ninja yellow jacket - just walking down the trail and BAM. Ouch. After the heat of the day, a lightning storm came up and dumped tons of rain - so water might be better at some point. But, just 1 second from setting the flash to hearing the thunder is a bit closer for me. Unfortunately, not much for pictures today. Here's a herron fishing.

We got some pizza for lunch then resupplied food for 4 days at the grocery. I got waaay more than I probably need, but I now have my stove and need to stay stronger. After that, I went to a local outfitter (not terribly helpful) and bought this nice, light pair of merrill shoes and some thicker socks - the hope being better support will help my foot pain. I've been eating fruit and sandwiches all afternoon and evening as well as drinking lots of water and chocolate milk. The chills have subsided finally but I've still not had to use the restroom (tmi) so I continue to drink water. The shoes were quite expensive but feel nice so I have high hopes that tomorrow goes well. I'm hoping we do a short day, but VT Is stir crazy having been here waiting 4 days. It's just super that they have let me hike with them. I've discovered that I am really not a solo hiker - I need other people around or it's not even a little enjoyable. So, there we are. New shoes, food, and we'll see what the next couple days bring. If I'm not better in the morning, I'll stay another day, otherwise it's back on the trail. By the way, these were three most tame shoes - some wild colors out there!

I walked 16041 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 5 miles today.
A very short day off the mountain and into Daleville this morNing - to 90 degree heat. I've tried to keep the posts positive, but my wife said I should let you know the tough parts too, so ... This was a very tough day for me. I was out of food and the heat sapped all my energy. I have chills and I believe I got extremely dehydrated - at least that's what I'm hoping. My shoes are worn out, as is my body. Pain in my feet, terrible headache (from yellow jacket sting or dehydration), and I started looking at plane fares home from roanoke, va. This has been a grueling trek and I've only done about 300 miles, not 1400 like V.T. and A-town! So, I hitched a ride to the post office and got a package then found the GA guys at the hotel. I told them I was looking to go home. But they encouraged me to rest today, eat, and try top replace my shoes. Also, a long call to my wife was uplifting. So, I'll post the new plan in a few minutes ...

I walked 40458 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 15 miles today.
The shoes felt nice today, but the rest of me was still pretty worn down. I climbed out of Daleville onto a ridge that made a huge horseshoe around a reservoir. Unfortunately, Vanilla Thunder still has too much pain to continue. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm not cut out for long solo trips, so I'm leaving the trail too. Tomorrow, we hope to see the sunrise on Mcafee Knob and then hike 5 miles to get picked up.

I walked 14731 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 5 miles today.
Up on the dark wee hours got us to the top of McAfee knob before the sun, but clouds muted the sunrise anyway. I did get my pic taken here hanging off the famous edge. It was a nice last memory of the hike. Got picked up at a road crossing and taken to the Roanoke airport for an evening flight home. I'm on Charlotte, NC now laying for the last leg. A-town is continuing on and I'll a link to his blog soon, and a recap of the trip. Thanks for following along as long as it lasted.