Date: 2022-09-09
From: Stanimals Glasgow (Exit at US 501) Mile 787.3

To: Thunder Hill Shelter Mile 772.5
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

NOTE: Mile in Destination and Start Location is northbound mileage to be consistent for entire journey. Mile in elevation profile is southbound mileage as that¢s easiest for me. I got to sleep ¢late¢ as Stanimals was providing blueberry pancakes for breakfast at 7:15. I finished packing up the bag and taking care of some last minute items. Stuffed myself with pancakes and then Coach and I were off in the shuttle to the trailhead. This time Charlie dropped us off at the trailhead a quarter mile north of the pickup point yesterday. When we pulled in LoLogistics and MeowMagic were still there, but SpeedyG had already started down the trail. I got some kitty pets in and then headed back to the other parking lot to connect my footsteps. My day almost ended early when I stepped off the side of the trail and came close to a big fall. Fortunately only my pride was wounded and nobody was around to witness. Interestingly, I discovered a bridge and a turn on the AT that I had missed when I got tunnel vision on the parking lot yesterday. Returning back to the original parking lot, I started over the James River Foot Bridge which is 1000 feet long and the longest foot bridge on the AT. Just like in Harpers Ferry there is a railroad bridge next to it. Although I have been hearing a lot of trains, none came through while we were near the bridge. The shelter was at the highest elevation of the day at just under 4000 feet. We generally had a gradual climb all day interspersed with some short descents. Overall it was an unremarkable day although we did get some nice views back to Fuller¢s Rocks and into the Jefferson National Forest. There spring was dry at the shelter so I carried 3.5 liters from the last spring to the shelter which was about 3 miles and 1000 feet up. Got there in enough time to briefly hang up my clothes in the last but of sunshine. Coach and I leapfrogged again today and we have the shelter to ourselves again. I didn¢t see any other southbound hikers and very few going north. Tonight is a full moon and it¢s shining into the shelter. I woke up to pee around 2AM and heavy fog had rolled in so I also brought in all my clothes from the line.There are a couple of things that I have been noticing that are very different than the last stretch in NH and ME. The flies and Yellow Jackets are much worse although only during the middle of the day. it¢s been hard to eat lunch without a bee trying to sample my sandwich also. There¢s been a return of the wildflowers with most sections of the trail having at least some wildflowers although there are others where you are pushing through 3 foot tall plants crowding the trail. Still getting mushrooms also but not quite the variety. Seems like the spider webs across trail are more prevalent, although we are also the first ones through for much longer in the day. Stinging Nettle is a new threat and you know right away that you have encountered it. Fortunately it doesn¢t burn for too long. Privies are back to being pit toilets, although most have been medium size and seem to have a big vault underneath. Also falling acorns are a distinct hazard. They really make a loud noise and bounce pretty good if they hit something hard. I expect they would really hurt if they hit me.I noticed some leaves starting to change on one type of tree today. They were around 3000 feet so not very high, but not in the valley either. I was expecting that the season would have started in October and was a bit worried we might just keep ahead of the peak season as we travel south. Time will tell if we¢re at the start or some trees were just confused. Steps 27100Weather Forecast: 82/62