Date: 2009-02-21
From: Crawfish Valley (2700') 

To: Chestnut Ridge (3700') Entry #3 of #3
Miles today: 14.0

02-21-2009 Entry #3 of #3Crawfish Valley to Chestnut RidgeFraser FirSection HikerGeorgia to MaineStarted: 2004This section: South Fork Holston River to PearisburgWhen I started to prepare for this trek, I anticipated rough weather. Anything else would be quite ignorant and simply foolish. What I did not take into account was the physical demands of bringing so much gear. Last year, I hiked 110 miles through Tennessee and Virginia. Even in the cold weather of March, I carried much less gear and food because it was a 51 mile section from Bob¢s house to downtown Damascus.In my mind, I start to play back a scene from the fall of 2005. Bryson was just a few months old and I went on a business trip to San Diego. After getting advice from thru-hikers of the PCT, I decided to hike and camp near Idyllwild and Mount San Jacinto. (Please see AT Journal Fraser Fir-2005 if interested). I got more than I bargained for when I attempted to go from Idyllwild to the top of Mount San Jacinto in one day. The elevation at the top was almost 11,000 feet and considering I live at 1700¢ or so, my body said ¢no thank you, please try again at a later time.¢ My gps advised me that I was only 600¢ from the summit of Mount San Jacinto and I thought about my family and opted to go back down. I did not realize how bad of shape that I was in because as I descended, I lost sight of the ¢blue blazed¢ trail- if you will for lack of a better word. I walked around in confusion and felt as though I had a ¢buzz¢ from the altitude and the 5000¢ (+) climb. At camp that night (5500¢), I realized that it is not always about getting to the top. Ed Visteurs, the man who has summited more 20,000 (+) foot peaks (without oxygen supplication) made his actions speak so much louder than his words. Ed constantly reiterates the importance of turning around when things do not feel right.What does this have to do with Virginia and the Appalachian Trail? I will explain as things play out over the next couple of days.The ups and downs were not all that bad today. I passed the O¢Lystery Picnic Area along Hwy.42. Bad vibes in the trail community and the folks that live in this area have made the picnic area off limits to hikers. At least, that is what a sign posted in the Knot Maul Branch Shelter stated. There could be several reasons for this.I passed Knot Maul Branch Shelter knowing that I would get to Lynn Camp Creek before I stopped for water.After a quick ¢up¢ over Lynn Camp Mountain and back down, I descended to Lick Creek. It had turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day. I had stripped down to shorts and a t-shirt. Probably around forty five degrees or so. I took a break at Lick Creek and filtered some water. The Lick Creek area was very majestic with Hemlocks galore. This is where I met the three day hikers that I mentioned in yesterday¢s journal entry. I am at peace with the fact that I am not making the mileage that I had anticipated. I am not in the shape that I once was and I think that when I get back home, I will start an exercise routine that I can realistically stick to.In my mind, I have put to bed any anxieties by not following my initial ¢aggressive hiking deadline.¢ I have added two additional days to my itinerary, thus I can continue to focus on what is in front of me. Not what is miles ahead of me or what is behind me.I get my water bottles full and ascend some distance up Chestnut Ridge. I find a perfect flat place to set up camp and assemble my tarp. I assemble it in such a way that it is at an angle some twelve inches above the peak of my tent with rip cord. I repack some ¢like items¢ together that had gotten mistakenly put in the wrong stuff sack, etc. I made a delicious dinner over the stove and still had time to read a small paperback book that I borrowed from Bryson, ¢Papa Bear for Mayor¢. It brings tears to my eyes because I miss my children so much. I work a lot and so whenever I am not at work, I am with my wife and kids. Call me a ¢home boy¢ I guess. However, I love the mountains and I love the excitement of hiking on the Appalachian Trail. In addition, it is so exciting to see the slow but sure progress of heading northwards toward New England. After dinner, I sit outside in my shorts and continued to read more. It was awesome to watch the sun go down from this perspective. Last night, I hiked up until dark and the first night, I was in a shelter that was facing east. Sunsets are always a great way to end the day. Goodnight-sleep tight- do not let the ankle biters bite as they might!!(rocks and roots of course).