Date: 2013-05-16
From: Beyond VA 670 (South Fork Holson River)

To: I-81 & US 11 interchange near Atkins, VA
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

3rd post today as I now have cell service. 1 bar anyway..Left stealth camp @ 6:30 to climb to the ridge line for about 6 miles of ridge walking to the Mt Rogers NRA Headquarters @ VA 16.   Some bumps but rather ez after my best night of tent sleeping even after waking @ 1am sweated wet. From there it was some more ridge walking (with very sore feet) to about 6 miles from the interchange and the decent from 3900 foot Glade Mtn to 2400 here at the IC.   The last 3 miles were interrupted by some short pasture walking (with cows ) and then over the railroad mainline (heard lots of trains all morning) .   There was a nice boardwalk after the tracks thru a swampy area then over some hills of grass and down to the highway.   Got over here (dispute sore dawgs) @ 1:30, so made good time.   Almost booked 15 by noon which is pretty big miles for Rocky trail hiking..Now, about these rocks. Coming down from the Grayson Highlands the trails were very rocky with large rocks.   Today, just LOTS of small rocks, which in many ways are worse than big ones.After eating at the Barn Resturant (hiker burger = 1 pound angus burger) I decided to bagged the last 6 miles to a campsite & address my sore feet - especially the right one.Anyhow, after popping the large blister on the pad right behind my toes, I now believe it was my own stupidity I got it.   Let me explain. After 100 miles of trail running & 100 prep hike miles + 466. A T miles of hiking ( with NO blisters) I started my second pair of shoes coming out of Damascus.Same exact shoes & no problems day 1 with over 6000 foot of accent.So what changed?   I didnt tighten the laces after the shoes initial stretching.   Very foolish. Apparently there was just enough movement in the shoes ( going downhill) with toes constantly jammed into front & you get hot spots which turn into blisters.Not good but must try to deal with them.   Left foot should be good to go.   Concern is right.   My schedule is for 160 miles next 7 days to hit the Thursday night BBQ buffet in Catawba.   That should be manageable because the trail is easier at lower elevations. Will need to deal with rain as thunderstorms are called for next 5 days & anywhere from 30-60% chance.   Maybe I get lucky..The annoying thing is the food selection here.   The one truck stop has been boarded up so the Exxon is only option.   Actually retrieved 2 bags instant off brand oatmeal from trash can in my room cause none at truckstop.   Other choices limited too so I may have to hitch into Bland on Saturday for resupply early afternoon..Tomorrow back to climbing & it looks like some ridge walking.   Only difference is some gaps along the ridge.   Late it day a 2000 foot climb over 7 miles to target of Chestnut Knob Shelter.   24 miles.   Hopefully another 10 hours and right foot a lot better.   Might try a patch of moleskin on it first thing..Now moving north in the I 81 corridor should allow for cell coverage.If so, I will post unlike no (or spotty at best) in the highlands..One thing I forgot to post.   The wind in the highlands - I have never been in higher sustained winds for a few (5-6) hours like weds.   I mean constant 20+ mph with many gusts at Least 35-40 mph.   You had to hike with a lean to the west to counteract the wind.   Once I passed the Longhorn cattle and started decending the wind was blocked by the mountains for the most part.Today there was just a little wind..Time to load my pack for a quick adios in the morning..Hasta Ma±ana