Date: 2016-02-11
From: VA 620, Footbridge, Trout Creek 

To: VA 621, Craig Creek Road
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

The alarm was set for 5 a.m. We checked the weather, then rolled over and went back to sleep. With the windchill, the air temperature in the valley was below zero. The "dangerously cold" temperatures were going to linger until mid day.Because of the cold weather, in adfition to food and water, I am carrying extra clothes, a sleeping bag, an emergency bivy, and other winter emergency gear in my daypack. My fear is that I could fall, become injured, and quickly become hypothermic before help could reach me. My daypack is not as big or as heavy as the Blue Beast, but it is close.I was still a little sore, but overall I was feeling much better. I put on the new knee braces. I also wore my Columbia Sportswear reflective long underwear. I knew it would keep me warm - as long as I kept moving.We had a long drive back to the footbridge/VA 620. It was still really cold with a stiff wind when I started the long steady climb out of the gap. On my way up the mountain I met "Wild Cat", a thru hiker now heading north. Like me, "Wild Cat" had medical issues that took him off the AT for a while, and when he got back on the AT he flip flopped, or changed direction. (He initially started in Maine and hiked south, but got back on the AT at Springer Mountain and hiked north.) He only had 100 miles left.We had a nice but brief chat, exchanging information about such things as weather and trail conditions. I was jealous of his beard, which "Wild Cat" said kept his face warm despite the chunk of ice clinging to the middle of the hair on his chin. My face was very cold and wind burned.We were both surprised to see another hiker, especially a fellow thru hiker. "Wild Cat" took my picture and I took his. I would have liked to visit with him longer, but my reflective underwear only works when I am moving, and I was getting chilled. (I was surprised when I discovered that the reflective underwear keeps body parts with muscle warm while moving. Body parts without muscle were a little chilled most of the day.)I continued the long climb - about 1500 feet in total, up the mountain to the Audie Murphy Monument. I stopped to check out the monument and take pictures.According to the Audie Murphy Memorial website, Audie Murphy was born in Texas, falsified his date of birth so he could enlist at age 17, and went on to become the most highly decorated U.S. WWII soldier. He was awarded every decoration for valor the U.S. offered plus 5 decorations from France and Belgium. After leaving the service, Audie Murphy had a very successful film career, starring in 44 films. He was also a song writer and TV star. Unfortunately, Audie Murphy suffered from "battle fatigue," which we now call PTSD. In 1971 he tragically died in a plane crash. The memorial to him was placed near the site of the plane crash. In 2000 a postage stamp was issued in his honor.Wounded Warriors hiking the AT had left bracelets and dog tags from their hike at the memorial. There were other momentos, such as patches, pins, and flags, also left at the memorial. I was very glad I took the short side trail off the AT to the memorial. But it was still very cold, so my visit was brief.For about a mile the AT followed a nice dirt road along the ridge. The sun was out, the wind died down, and despite the cold, I was very comfortable.   The old dirt road reminded me of the oil lease roads in the Allegheny Mountain foothills I used to hike with my Grandfather when I was little. I am so grateful for my Grandfather introducing me to hiking and nature.I am also very grateful to my junior high biology teacher and his young family for introducing me to backpacking. Back in November someone at a shelter asked me how long I have been packpacking. I thought a moment and realized I first went backpacking thanks to a junior high biology teacher and his family. For a few Fridays one Fall they generously took a group of students backpacking overnight.My "gear" was purchased from Penneys and KMart with babysitting money.In January, while I was home, I used the internet to track down that biology teacher and his wife. To my surprise, they still live in my hometown in Pennsylvania. I sent Mr. and Mrs. Ambuske a card letting them know how much I appreciated them taking me backpacking, what a long lasting impression it made on me, and that thanks to them, I was now thru hiking the AT. The AT left the dirt road and gently descended down the mountain. (Thankfully I saw the little hand written directional sign on the bench placed on the dirt road.) In the last mile the AT crossed several foot bridges, two of which were very elevated. Apparently the area is subject to flooding.I reached the road crossing well before dark. On the drive back to the hotel we stopped at Homeplace Restaurant for dinner. (It was highly recommended by "Wild Cat".) The place is only open Thursday thru Sunday, and is usually packed. Fortunately for us, it was Thursday. Because of the extreme cold, we had no ptroblem getting a table.The food is served family style - all you can eat - for just $14. And the food was delicious. Thanks for the tip "Wild Cat"!Despite the cold, today was a great day on the AT.The AT is calling. I am really glad to be back. I just wish it was (a lot) warmer.