Date: 2016-07-08
From: VA 606/Trent's Grocery

To: VA 611
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

Once again, the logistics of slackpacking/the availability of road crossings left me with 3 choices - a 5.3 mile day, a 9.6 mile day, or a 17.6 mile day. I had great aspirations.We had quite a little drive from Pearisburg back out to the trailhead. A bad thunderstorm was expected in the afternoon. To play it safe, we broke the day up into 3 parts, with Rod hiking in to meet me from each of the roadcrossings. Based upon trail conditions and the weather, we would assess the situation before deciding whether to go on to the next part.The suspension bridge over Kimberling Creek was beautiful - a work of art. I was glad I crossed the bridge all alone. Even with just me on it, as I reached the middle, the bridge had a very noticeable swing going. I still have that pesky fear of heights. While I very much appreciated the craftsmanship and work put into the bridge (and the fact I did not have to ford the creek), I have to admit I was very relieved when I was finally done walking across it.Other than crossing a powerline, there were no other landmarks noted in the AT guide for the first 5.3 miles. There was a slight and easy change of elevation out of the gap. I spooked a doe with her spotted fawn. They were also using the trail, which hugged the side of the mountain.Rod hiked in and met me just before the powerline.   We looked for blackberries at the powerline, but could not find any that were ripe. The trail then gently dipped down to Lickskillet Hollow/VA 608, where Rod left Maggie.I was really looking forward to reaching Lickskillet Hollow. I collect and cook/bake with cast iron, including cast iron skillets. So I was hoping there would be a cool "Lickskillet Hollow" sign at the road crossing that I could have my picture taken with.Unfortunately there was no sign - I looked everywhere. But we did find a very nice NOBO thru hiker named Mountain Goat checking out Maggie - actually the stickers on her rear window. (He has a mountain goat skull, complete with horns, strapped to the back of his pack.) We had a nice chat with him and extended some trail magic.Once again, the climb out of the gap/hollow was gentle and easy. It was just a short hike to the Jenny Knob Shelter, which was about .10 miles off the AT. I took a break at the shelter to collect & pack out trash, check my BG, and have a snack. I also carefully watched the weather. Although the sun was out, and the temperature & wind remained steady, I could hear thunder rumbling off in the distance. Time to move on.I met Rod shortly after the shelter. Now the sky was quickly clouding up, the wind was picking up, and the temperature was starting to drop. I told Rod we needed to pick up the pace to get up and over Brushy Mountain before the storm hit. Rod assured me that the mountain was fully treed and not bare, so at least we would not be the highest point. But trees can blow over, branches can fall, and lightening can travel. I really wanted to be at lower elevation when the storm hit. I began to wish I had gotten an earlier start, spent less time talking with Mountain Goat, and/or skipped the break at the shelter.The AT was up on a ridge for more than a mile. It grew darker, the wind began to whip, and the pelting cold rain started to flow. The thunder came closer and grew louder. We picked up the pace to the point that I was almost running up the trail.All of a sudden, KAAABOOOM! I jumped and covered my ears. The thunder was loud and very,very close. I made sure both of us were OK,and then continued to haul ass. We managed to make it up and over Brushy Mountain in the storm without getting hit by lightening or a tree/branch, but along the way I badly twisted my right knee.The descent on the other side of Brushy Mountain was easy, but we were soaked and cold. When we reached VA 611 we decided to call it a day. Today we relocated from the Holiday Motor Lodge in Pearisburg to the Comfort Inn in Atkins, and we had a very long drive from the trailhead. I was hiking towards Atkins, so we assumed each day the drive would get shorter. (Unfortunately we did not factor in the winding country roads around the mountains.)Driving to and from the trailhead each day was tedious and time consuming. But we were comfortable each night, had hot showers, good meals, and we were able to dry out our clothes, gear, and boots. As with everything in life, there is always a trade off. The Comfort Inn, despite the long drive, was a particularly good choice. We discovered that the bathroom area with the toilet & tub/shower also had a timed heater. With both the fan and the heater on, it was like a giant walk-in dryer. We just had to keep resetting the heater timer. Like magic, everything was warm and dry by morning.After checking in, and showering/putting on dry clothes, we drove up the road to Marion, VA and had a very nice dinner.The AT is calling. I hope my knee is better by morning so I can answer the call and make some miles.