Date: 2005-04-06
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I deserve this nice weather. Considering my earlier 2005 hikes schlepping through snow some of it thigh-deep and my NC/Smokies hike last October in which I hiked mostly in fog and drizzle, the law of averages has caught up. If I make it to Pearisburg today, the hike¢s completed in time before tomorrow¢s predicted showers. So as I began this hike¢s journal, I¢ll reiterate: luck helps.Last night was the warmest night of the trip ¢ I unzipped my sleeping bag. Typical of this trip, I start out with a long ascent but it¢s not difficult. Easy footing and scenic views especially of the rising sun since I started at 6:27 this morning when it was barely light enough to see the Trail. Once at the summit, the rest of the day was ridgewalking ¢ all up and down ¢ along Peters Mountain.Peters Mountain ¢ this is the second AT Peters Mountain ridgewalk I¢ve done in 5 months. The other was Peters Mountain in PA in November with Scarf. They¢re similar in that rocky stretches are present but not overbearing. The up-and-down are also similar. But the views are different. Today I particularly enjoyed the view of Pearis Mountain. At first I couldn¢t believe I could see it when I still had 18 miles to Pearisburg. But the profile was unmistakable. Of course last time I was around here hiking along Pearis Mountain, there was deep snow. That seems so long ago.I met 4 NOBO thruhikers today. First was J-Bird (or is it JayBird?) who started March 1. Later I met Number 11 (from New Jersey, my native state), so named as the 11th hiker to register at Amicalola this year. Later on the final descent to Pearisburg, I met LK Disney and Mailar who started at Erwin and Little Laurel Shelter respectively.The ridge featured a few rocky stretches but for the most part was pleasant easy walking conducive to my making good time. After reaching the powerline (and seeing deer for the first time on this hike), I could see I¢d make Pearisburg today. But the setting around Rice Field Shelter was so idyllic that I considered staying even though it was only 12:30 when I arrived. Isn¢t this why I hike ¢ to savor opportunities like this? And I¢m retired so I have the time, right? Well no, not this time. So I pushed on after sitting on rocks in Rice Field (presumably named after someone named Rice since one doesn¢t grow rice in these conditions) and drying my feet, shirt, and body in the warm sun which had finally emerged after a cloudy morning. The open fields I encountered today housed numerous birds. For the first time on this hike, I regretted leaving my binoculars home.More up and down with an increasingly hot sun beating down. I still felt strong after hitting the 15 mile mark but then the bane of my hiking preferences ¢ rocks and steep descents ¢ along with the blazing sun started to wear on me. This annoying head cold is not helping although I¢m amazed it hasn¢t slowed me down more. Still, I¢m getting fatigued. By the time I finally reached the Rendezvous, Brenda said I looked as tired as she felt! But I felt good, not just in completing this hike, but also setting a new personal daily high for AT mileage: 19.6 miles.After a welcome shower, it¢s the library to check e-mail and send TrailJournals guest entries to Number 11 and Mailar. Then dinner at Darlene¢s. One small pleasure I derive from arrival in AT towns is the opportunity to patronize small, locally-owned, non-chain establishments.With completion of this hike, I¢m only 25 miles short of finishing Virginia which I¢ll tackle in late April. Meanwhile, it¢s on to Massachusetts to hike Rt. 20 to Sages Ravine starting April 18 and finishing on April 21, my 57th birthday.