Date: 2007-03-23
From: Miss Janet's House

To: Damascus
Miles today: 121.1
Weather: few clouds

WOW.....what a past few days. miss janet dropped me off saturday the 17th to cold and wet weather. i did an easy, solo 16.4 to cherry gap shelter where i spent a COLD night, low teens, with a section hiker frome penn. there was snow on the ground and i anticipated alot more the next day over roan mountain. not to be disappointed on sunday the 18th i got started about hiking alone at 8:45 and it was cold and as i gained altitude over roan it got colder and the snow got deeper. the drifts were a foot deep in the woods and as i topped out in chrystal clear skies bright blue skies and geourges pines covered in white snow and headed down, the trail was litterally a 3 foot wide ice slide for 1/2 mile. the ice won't melt in those spots for a month. i made it down and finnally arrived at the overmountain shelter (the barn) and spent a solo night eating and gettings some rest from what was the hardest day i had so far, 22 miles and alot of elements to deal with. it was however a fun solo adventure. i woke up monday and got started about 8:30 to a pretty sun and warming temps. i wa totally faked out as i took off layers going up hump mountain.. when i got to the top of the ridgewalk ther the wind was howling. i put my rainjacket on hood up and was litterally transformed to the highlands of scotland. cold, blustery bald and open terrain with menacing sky. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!! it was an awesome walk. i made it off the ridge and the temp wamed considerably and by mid afternoon i was in shitsleeves. i tentcamped somewhere between mountaineer shelter and mooreland gap about a 23 mile day, another solo day. i slept to a light rain in a cozy spot off the trail and woke and decided to do a light day, 9.5 miles and check out Kincora hostel at dennis cove. What can i say??? Kincora to me has been my best and most heartfelt AT experience. Bob and Pat Peoples are the real deal. Bob spends his life now maintaining trail and serving on the board of ALDA. pat, also retired was on of the first 100 women admitted to the bar in the state of vermont. class acts with hearts of gold. i was the only person there that night and bob entertained me with stories till we both called it quits about 9:30. i will definately be back to visit them with my little boy and girlfriend to sleep in the treehouse. it is a truly amazing place. i left Kincora at 8 the next morning spirit soaring and did the 50 miles into damascus in two days, tent camping on the ridge with my tent situated to the east and treated to an incredible sunrise yesterday. that 50 is no doubt the easiest 50 i've done so far and is mostly a long and peaceful walk on the ridgetop at about 4000 feet. a great two day solo hike. i'm in damascus now and stayed at dave's place last night. jeff at mount rogers has been trating me so good and i've been trying on lighter packs but i think i'll stay with the granite gear ozone for now. i'm down to 16 pounds without food and water so heavey i'm at about 24-26. i can live with that. i'm going to wait on my friend boone who i hiked the smokies with to catch up today or tomorrow and we are gonna rock virgina and have some fun with friends i know along the way. peace to everyone i have met along the way and to all the helpful people. i miss my family and my girlfriend but i know they are in good ahnds and i will see them soon. ben, erin, megan, max, lenore, i love yu all with all my heart.....i truly appreciate the opportunity....and to my sponsors at montrail/nathan/smatwool/petzel/cliff......thanks you. i know if adam and eve wound have asked god for one thing (before the apple incident) it would have been a pair of Montrail Hardrocks. through snow, ice and everything in between doing some pretty high miles, they have been nothing short of the perfect shoe.   peace to all......woodstock