Date: 2003-04-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So.....Here I am still in Damascus. Dimples and I, and others, planned on hiking out today, but the weather is once again horrible. Its been pooring all day and in the thirties. Much snow is coming down in the higher elevations. Being 2 days from the Grayson Highlands (5000+) feet, we decided to take a zero day unplanned. No better place to be stuck than Damascus, the friendliest Trail town. Mount Rodgers Outfitters is fantastic. They basically let hikers hang out in there. I just mope around and look at all the pretty gear I wish I had. Unfortunately I've turned into a weight nazi and try desperately to cut weight. I'm looking into buying a new pack. You may be asking what's wrong with my current pack? Absolutely nothing actually. Its a fine pack, but it weighs 5 lbs alone. Its very enticing looking at the 2 lb packs for sale. Also my tent weighs 4 lbs. This can easily be shaved 3 lbs by buying a tarp or hammock. Of course this calls for money which I don't neccessarily have. But its fun to dream. Eventually I'll be able to send home a few pounds of clothes when the weather warms up. I assumed that day would be in about a week or so, but judging by the last two snow storms we've had, im thinking i;ll hold on to stuff. My next stop is Atkins, VA 5 to 6 days away. My food bag for that stretch is 9 lbs. I've been about 36 to 38 lbs leaving town with food and water. Pulling into town im around 26-30 lbs. As one of the guys at the outfitter said "Theres a big difference between light weight backpacking and minimilism". I'm definately in the former category. As I get more comfortable in the woods, I've been able to learn what I can do with or without. Pretty much everything I have I use daily, except my tent. I've only slept in my tent 5 or 6 nights so far. I love it, its just that carrying a wet tent is no fun, and adds weight. Plus it just adds one more thing to do in the morning. My folks are coming down to visit in a week. They;ll meet me in either Atkins or Bland, depending on how much the weather slows me.   I'm having the absolute time of my life out here. I'm trying to escape the hiker bug that has hit almost everyone from Erwin to Damascus. I've felt under the weather for some time, but haven't violently vomited like most others have. I found out that I have a place to stay next semester at school. My buddy Dan was able to find an apartment in Burlington, so that makes me feel a lot better. I was a little nervous about being homeless, although I guess you could say thats what I am now.   One note: Its started to become a trend that some hostel owners are advertising on hikers Trail journals. I see that the same people sign pretty much everyones journals. I think its fantastic that many owners and Trail folks read these journals to keep up with hikers and see what good things are being said about their business. But please don't use these journals as a place to advertise your businesses. We all have guidebooks and know how to find places to stay in town. A lot of hikers are being turned off to places that are shamelessly trying to hook people in. Thats all I gotta say about that.    Will keep truckin North and Smilin'