Date: 2016-05-26
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

5/26Big day today! I started the day at Thomas Knob Shelter and finished it off a long 26 miles away at Trimpi Shelter. Yes people, that's not a typo...26 miles. The long haul was made possible by a combination of what I have to assume are my trail legs and easier VA terrain. That's not to say it was a cake walk, but let's just say the ups and downs are not as extreme.The hike took me through the Grayson Highlands and there the group I was with saw more wild horses. The horses were not as aggressive as the prior day, but some did come out of their grazing pasture to let us pet them. Not to far into the Grayson Highlands we crossed the 500 marked if our journey. We knew we made it by the "500" scratched in the white blaze on a tree. I hit the 500 mark with Gaio, Free Fall, Rock Steady, Mayfly and Feather.After hitting the 500 we just hiked. Because we started early I knew I was in for at least a 20 miler. Mayfly went ahead and I hiked with Haiku, Bear Bait and Gaio, but by late afternoon I was solo. I like hiking solo in the afternoons. When I hit the spot where I agreed to meet Mayfly I saw an arrow scratched on the ground. I assumed this was Mayfly telling me he went ahead to Trimpi Shelter. It was almost 7:30, I was tired, it would be dark in an hour so I pressed on fast!The shelter was another 2.5 miles away. I was beat and already tripping on rocks and roots. No way did I want to drag this long day into night. I knew if I stayed steady on my pace I could pull in at dark.The last miles of any day always seem long, but racing against a sinking sun and increasing shadows was fun. When the trail took me to the east side of the mountains it seemed almost dark. When I hit the west side I bought some more light! The trail was easy interms of elevation changes, but there were many rocks and roots. The more tired one gets the more "phantoms" that reached up and snatch your feet. Nasty trips happen this way. As I walked I took in the very fresh smells of some type of blooming mountain flowers. I was told my senses would be stimulated out here and I guess they are, as these flowers smelt so good. Speaking of smelling good, section hikers always have this "Tide fresh" smell that one can smell a long way away.... I bet they smell us coming, but it's not as fresh of an odor!As luck would have it my tired feet carried me to the shelter with just minutes left of light in the day remaining. Mayfly had drawn the arrow I the trail and was there and so was Justin. They had a fire blazing and two couples were hanging out with them... Snores A lot (don't sleep by him in a shelter) and Music Box as well as Vito and Game Warden.I was tired beyond tired. I kicked my shoes off and took my dirty sox off and my feet felt so good! I ate a Mountain House meal, pitched my tent and the day was done!Several people corrected me about my assumptions as to who may have finished on Mt. Katadin the other day. I apologize for making a statement without checking the facts... But man reception out here sucks!!! Please check back a day or two, I am posting multiple updates today, I am in Marion, VA and these people have discover cell reception!