Date: 2015-10-06
From: Rockfish Gap, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 133.9
Weather: clear sky

9/30 Day 120: 5.1 miles M1332.6Paul Wolfe ShelterThankful for the first dry day after 5 days of rain, I awakened early to beginning drying out my gear. The motel has a pool area that was good for cleaning and drying. Very windy morning and intermittent sun allowed my gear to begin to dry out. I dried baggies, tent, air mattress...most everything was wet. I checked out at noon but continued drying everything until about 2:30. Feels good to have everything dry and also have a little better strategy for hiking in the rain that is predicted for the next five days. Had a chili dog at King's Gourmet Popcorn wagon before heading on the trail. Today was an easy 5 miles that started at 3:30pm. This shelter is one of the best. Good to see Diddy Kong again, and also meet Rockman, both SOBO thru-hikers.10/1 Day 121: 22.0 miles   M1354.6Harper's Creek ShelterRain started at 5:30am this morning and awoke me. I pulled the food bags off the bear pole and began the morning routine. Was on the trail before sunrise, hiked a few mins by headlamp. Ran and fog all day. No views, unless I was below cloud level, and then not much to see. I began and ended the day with a stream crossing over very wet rocks. I wore my rain jacket some of the time and found the temperature cool enough that I didn't sweat. Also had the poncho on. I stayed dry, plus everything in the pack stayed dry. Grateful for this small but significant miracle and hopeful about future hikes in the rain. Was nice to see Jackrabbit and Slider again today. They had slack-packed and were hiking NOBO today from Reid's Gap back to Rockfish Gap. I took no break today, hiked 22 miles straight through. Was tired when I arrived at Harper's Creek Shelter; a group of four hikers had set up their tent in the shelter.10/2 Day 122: 14.2 M1368.8Seeley-Woodworth ShelterGenerally good hiking all day despite the cold, wind, and rain all day. The 3000' climb up The Priest yielded no views, but wasn't such a bad climb. Very windy on the ascent. Amazing how many leaves are on the trail, many yellow but also many green leaves. The wind is whipping the trees from all directions. Apples were good again today as were the springs. I called it a day after 14 miles, generally feeling better about my rain solutions. I saw few people on the trail today so was surprised to find myself the sixth person to arrive at the shelter, which had, yet again, a group who had set up their tent in the shelter. The shelter was crowded, with the wind and rain, I ate a pop tart for dinner and crawled in bed by 6pm -- heavenly to be dry and warm on this day.10/3 Day 123: 14.0 miles M1382.8Three-Springs HostelVERY windy all last night! Amazing how the trees swirl. Rain all night, too.With the weather, I had a late start but enjoyed an unusual hot bowl of oatmeal before packing out. I usually only light my stove for the evening meal. I hiked out in the rain that lasted all day again. The winds remained high all day, too. A few parts of the trail were a bit more sheltered from the wind that others, such as where rock outcroppings overlooked the trail. I took these opportunities to gear up or down as necessary for that part of the trail. The wind and cold were enough for me to wear my base layers all day long -- knowing I could wash my clothes at the end of the day. I also decided to ascend mountains a bit more slowly that I usually do, this to avoid sweating under my rain gear. I felt today for the first time that I am handling the rain well on a day with cool temperatures.   I crossed over Cole Mountain, one of the few grass top mountains on the AT. A coyote was in the trail as I neared the summit. Once [he] figured out what I was and that I was heading in [his] direction, [he] ran down the trail away from me. Three-springs hostel is quite nice. Marsha and Oma are wonderful hosts. I washed my clothes, took a warm shower and enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal. While eating, we all enjoyed watching the deer eat apples off the ground outside the kitchen door. One deer was an eight-point. They look very healthy this year. Being inside for a night after three straight days of rain was welcomed. I awakened at 1:00am and decided to do some stretching and ended up practicing the entire Bikram Yoga series of 26 posture (done twice each) and 2 breathing exercises. Very nice. 10/4 Day 124: 24.0 miles M1406.8Matts Creek ShelterGreat breakfast at three-springs hostel. I left feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, in spite of the continuing rain. Nice goodbye. Nice hike today.   Was able to get one view from Rocky Row, and then caught a break in the weather as I crossed the James River. 6 SOBOs in here tonight. The shelter is full.10/5 Day 125: 22.6 miles M1429.4Bryant Ridge ShelterToday has been the first good-weather day after four days of rain (after 5 rain days before that). Very welcome change. I hiked through some lovely forests today. Black rock was nice view, as was Thunder Hill overlook, and a nice place to have lunch with Stank and Tennessee Jed. I saw a 3-foot black snake today. I was thinking about town meals waiting for me in Daleville all day. This is a very nice, new shelter.10/6 Day 126:   32.0 miles M1461.4Howard Johnsons, Daleville, VAToday was about crushing the miles. I didn't know if I could make it 32 miles into town, but let start out that way and see what happens. I passed a couple of gorgeous views when the AT crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway, also nice to take advantage of trash cans to leave my accumulated trash. I felt good, strong, and able to hike anything in front of me all day long. Took a few strategic breaks for food and water, and by 5:30 arrived at the last shelter before Daleville at mile 26 and only 6 more to get into town, mostly downhill hiking. So, I kept going and saw a great sunset while hiking through Troutville and on into Daleville.