Date: 2015-11-24
From: Salt Log Gap, USFS 63

To: Reservoir Road, Pedlar River Bridge
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I have absolutely loved the AT. It has not always been easy, but I have loved the adventure and the journey that is the AT. The AT offers spectacular scenery, windows into our country's history, and the opportunity to learn about people, nature, and myself.Today was as good as it gets - all of the best features of the AT all in one day. First, as we reached the road crossing where I was dropped off, a large owl flew down the gravel road just ahead of us and landed nearby in a tree. The climb out of Salt Log Gap was relatively gentle. The weather was again cold but clear. And there were hunters! I saw one sitting about a stones throw from the trail, with his back to me. I was wearing bright colors, but I did not want to take the chance of startling him and having him accidentally shoot me. So I purposely made a noise with my hiking sticks to get his attention. As he turned around he started to also raise his rifle. Fortunately, when he saw me waive at him, he quickly lowered the gun back to its resting place against a tree. Yes, initially my heart skipped a few beats.I continued up Tar Jack Ridge enjoying the wonderful view. I noticed several parked cars at Hog Camp Gap as I passed through. I assumed the cars all belonged to hunters and started to look for them as I hiked.Then I started the long steady, but relatively easy, climb up Cole Mountain - a Bald with spectacular views. It appeared that the area is being actively farmed. In that area camping was prohibited. I stopped several times to take in the view and take pictures. I wish Rod could have seen it.As I was hiking the switchbacks descending into the Gap between Cole Mountain and Bald Knob I noticed 2 women doing something with what appeared to be a large pile of leaves. Were they burying trash? (Trying to hide a body?) Or did they find a dead animal? Just a couple more switchbacks and I would find out.The 2 young women were sisters. They were dressed in cotton pajamas and winter coats. They had spent the night in a tent at a designated campsite next to the AT, and had a campfire going. They were poking in the leaves to examine a mound of dirt underneath the leaves.The women were very friendly and very inexperienced at backpacking. They were also VERY lucky. They knew enough to hang their food. But they did not hang everything with food smells, and they did not hang it very high. They also hung it very close to their tent, which they pitch very close to the campfire, where they cooked and ate their dinner last night.In the middle of the night they heard something heavy padding around in the leaves just outside their tent. Then they heard something batting at the plastic bag they hung in the tree beside their tent.Fortunately, what was most likely a bear, was scared off when they began to move around in their tent to look outside.They also told me that last night they heated up a rock in the fire, wrapped a blanket around it, and then sat on the blanket wrapped rock to get warm. Unfortunately the hot rock melted their synthetic blanket and then started to burn their butts. Fortunately they got off the rock before sustaining serious burns.They also never heard of the 10 essentials, and did not have most of the items on the list.They asked for some advice, and I enjoyed talking with them about LNT, safer ways to stay warm at night, and safety gear they should always carry. It was clearly a teachable moment. Like the ladies I met at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter (Carly and Christina) back in Pennsylvania, they had a great attitude and were a lot of fun. They let me take their picture and told me it was OK to use them as examples of what NOT to do in my LNT classes. I had a great time talking with them, but I had a lot of miles to cover and really needed to keep moving. Before moving on I warned them about the hunters in the area.Cow Camp Gap Shelter is .6 miles off the AT, so I skipped it and kept going. The climb to Bald Knob was not too bad, but the summit was very rocky. The descent was not rocky, but it was steep, long, and in places poorly marked.I was glad to see Rod waiting for me at US 60, Buena Vista, VA. I took a quick break and then kept going.The next portion of the AT was an extra special treat. The trail decended into a ravine and followed a creek. The area was absolutely beautiful and the trail was a breeze to hike. Interpretive signs placed along the AT explained that a 1.4 mile section along the creek had once been occupied by share croppers who were former slaves. Remants of stone walls and stone hearths/chimneys remained. The AT crossed and re-crossed the creek - making sure hikers and historical artifacts are separated by the creek. Brown Mountain Shelter is right in the middle of the ravine. I stopped there briefly for a break.As a naturalist and an interpretive guide, I was in heaven. What a wonderful section of trail. I took several pictures and enjoyed reading the interpretative displays, but I needed to keep going.Rod met me at Swapping Camp Road just to make sure I was OK. Then I moved on. The trail climbed gently out of the ravine, and then circled a reservoir.   I saw at least 3 deer and a few gray squirrels.   The weather was absolutely perfect.Rod met me again at Reservoir Road, at the very cool Pedlar River suspension bridge. Because of logistics we decided to call it a day.What a really great day- perfect weather for hiking, spectacular high views, a lush ravine with a beautiful babbling creek, history, critters, fun hikers, and teachable moments. For me, today was as good as it gets on the AT.We enjoyed a nice dinner then hit the sack. Per the AT guide, tomorrow will be a tough day.The AT is calling. But first, thank you, thank you, thank you for today.