Date: 2015-05-29
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, VA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tried to sleep in a bit this morning due to last night's bedtime, but with no luck. Hikers began moseying around just after 6:30am so I was up soon after. I spent a little time prepping my food bag and packing my gear. I also grabbed another shower which helped waken me up a bit. Once Burnsides was up, we walked over to Dollar General and got a half gallon of milk and a box of raison brand to split for breakfast back at camp. Just after 10:00am we were ready to head back to the trail - Duck tagging along as well. With no luck getting a ride via the local shuttle driver, we walked a half mile out of town before giving up and resorting to sticking our thumbs out. It took close to half an hour, but a man finally pulled up and offered to return us to the trail. Clayton, heading into work over 6 hours late, was called in at 5:00am, but decided he wanted to spend his morning fishing and drinking instead. We just happened to be on his way to work.Back to the trail just before 11:00am, we said our thank you's and were back in the woods ready to begin the ~2,300ft climb up Big Rocky Row. Duck was soon in the rearview mirror and Burnsides disappeared up the trail, leaving me to experience my worst day on the trail so far. With the sun beating down and sweat pouring, I soon found myself with no energy and would stop for the first time during an ascent. In fact, I would stop a handful of times on the way up, unable to find the strength in my legs to continue on. I finally summited just over 2 hours later, feeling as though I was close to tears from exhaustion. I all but collapsed on the rocks of an overlook, and asked God for the strength I needed.I continued down into Saddle Gap where I walked across a Mt. Dew can resting in the middle of the trail with the name "Cambo" spelled out in small rocks. Trail magic - just what I needed. I could only figure that it was Burnsides who had left it for me, but I couldn't think of where he would've gotten a can of Mt. Dew. I would actually find out later that it wasn't Burnsides, but in fact the same gentleman who had given me a ride into Glasgow in his camper the night before. He had posted up to give our trail magic, had ran into Burnsides, and had planned to wait for me to pass. However, due to my struggles on Big Rocky Row, he left and was kind enough to leave me a drink. Super nice of him and I hope to run into him again for he plans to continue providing trail magic along the trail.On through Saltlog Gap and up Bluff Mountain, the thought of trail magic provides me with the strength I had lacked earlier. Finally summiting Bluff Mountain at 3,372ft, I took another break near the Ottie Cline Powell monument, located in the spot where the body of a 4 year old who disappeared from her schoolhouse was found nearly 7 miles away. I pressed on and over Punchbowl Mountain before running into Sam I Am and Spruce as they were leaving Punchbowl Shelter. I continued with them for half a mile before stopping and enjoying my Mt. Dew. I would catch up with them again on Rice Mountain and, during a quick break where I had no water left, both men offered me enough water to hold me over until the next source was reached. Water is like gold out here and I really appreciated the kind gestures. Sam I Am is a cool guy, a former prison guard with the scars to prove it. From what I've heard he puts together entertaining videos of his hike on YouTube. Spruce is a section hiker preparing for his hike of the John Muir Trail, but hopes to attempt the AT in 2020 when he retires. He also has a couple of 4-legged companions who join him during his hikes.I soon left them behind as I began my final push for the shelter. Down and over Pedlar River Bridge, I began climbing out of the river valley when I crossed the 800-mile mark, a simple stone configuration as with the majority of milestones. I congratulated myself, but was determined to reach the next water source since I had had almost no water all day and has foolishly passed Pedlar River. I began a series of meandering in and out along the side of a mountain, the sun dancing off the small waves of a lake just below on one side.Eventually I found a spring sending a light stream of water cascading down a moss-covered rock face. I quickly scampered up to it, filled my bottles with water, and enjoyed a cool shower as I drank. After close to half an hour, I was back on the trail covering the final ~5 miles when I began hearing thunder behind the mountains to my southeast. Seeing that everything to the west was still sunny and clear, I figured the storm was skirting nearby. However, as lightning strikes became more frequent and thunder echoed through the valley around me, I knew my luck had ran out. Too stubborn to stop and pitch my tent, I pressed on as the rain began to fall, determined to reach the shelter. The final ~3 miles were spent trudging through sun-drenched rain, lightning, and thunder as the trail became a slushy mess under foot.I finally rolled into Brown Mountain Creek Shelter at 7:00pm, my body, clothes, and boots completely soaked through. Hiking tomorrow may be hampered a bit as a result, but hopefully not enough to where I can't complete my miles. The shelter belongs to Burnsides and myself, as well as another hiker, Uncle Ewaka Ewaka Dogslayer. The tail end was a late edition to his name after he acquired after consuming the hotdogs (14) at a particular trail magic gathering. It's nice to not be packed in shoulder-to-shoulder for once. Burnsides mentioned that Moosehead and Safari continue on another couple of miles to a road to go into Buena Vista, VA in order to eat Mexican food and do a light resupply as well. Maybe I'll see them at some point tomorrow.Tomorrow we immediately begin climbing our largest elevation change until we reach New Hampshire, ~2,700ft to the top of Bald Knob. The last 2 days have provided me with very different results so I'm unsure of what to expect. I can only hope my mind and body rebound from today. Here's to 1 day closer to my next zero.Here's to natural spring baths, bad ass trail dogs, and thunderstorm hiking.