Date: 2015-05-08
From: 470.7 campsite, VA

To: 486.3 campsite, VA
Miles today: 15.6

Last night was another semi-restless night for a variety of reasons: Moosehead's snoring from ~50ft away, a couple of hikers staggering in and setting up camp sometime after 10:00pm, and me needing to pee several times throughout the night, which I found out this morning my bandana had fallen victim to my blind aiming last night. A quick wash in a stream this morning and I was back in business. Rock Boat and Hobble would set off quickly, I soon after at 7:45am, and Moosehead would follow within half an hour. I decided to make it a point today to hike at a pace that would a) ensure the miles passed easily in the ~80 degree heat, and b) reduce the amount of chaffing I expected due to the increased sweat. The other guys had the same plan and we would hike alone, but as a group, separated by ~100ft or so for most of the day.Other than the initial ~600ft climb out of camp, the remainder of the morning would pass along easily as the trail rolled along in the lower 2,000ft elevation range. Through Beech Grove Gap and into Feathercamp Branch, the trail would take a series of detours through surrounding woods due to a washed-out bridge. Our biggest climb of the day would rise 1,000ft in 2 miles, but we would all eventually agreed that our bodies have gotten stronger and the climb was easier than expected seeing that it has been several days since our last real vertical climb. At 3,378ft near Saunders Shelter, Rock Boat, Hobble, and I would break for an early snack. We continued on another couple of miles to a small pond hidden away from all except hikers who quickly pass along. We took another break here for lunch and Moosehead was finally able to catch up with us. Hobble and I both found trail magic left hanging in a tree near the pond - 2 dehydrated dinners with accompanying handmade wooden crosses with 'Faith' and 'John 3:16' inscribed in each. Hobble didn't want the cross that came with his seeing as though his ~20lb pack is heavy enough as it is, so I tied both onto my pack instead. Thank you to whoever left this treat - it was much greatly enjoyed for dinner this evening. We also saw a large snapping turtle sunbathing on a log sticking out from the murky water. I sat watching it, wishing my life was as simple, and realized that, for now at least, it is.We continued on until we exited the woods and walked along the Virginia Creeper Trail - a rails to trails project that allows tourists to bike down several miles of mountain trail with little to no use for pedaling. Rock Boat and I had developed a lead over Moosehead and Hobble so we took a break along a flowing creek to watch a fly fisherman continuously cast his line as he walked up current. Rock Boat commented that he has never seen a fly fisherman actually catch a fish; I'd have to agree. When Moosehead and Hobble finally caught up and we checked our distance and time, we realized we only had ~3 miles to our destination and if was only 1:30pm. Looking at the flowing creek nearby, we decided to utilize the opportunity by relaxing a little and having a quick bathe. We staggered into the cool water, clothes off, and went about cleaning ourselves and our clothes. Hobble and Moosehead plopped down in the middle of the creek while Rock Boat and I approached more gingerly, but ultimately all feeling sufficiently clean by the time we were done.Feeling like 100 bucks, we threw on our relatively clean clothes and returned to the trail which follows the Crespef Trail for another half mile or so. Before returning to the woods, we passed over the Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge, a long wooden bridge, several hundred feet in length, spanning a valley below. While crossing over, an older lady passed by on a bike, white-knuckled and staring straight ahead, repeating "Don't look down" to herself in the process. Once back in the woods, we gradually climbed until we reached Lost Mountain Shelter. Having no plans to stay here for the evening, we said a quick hello to the 2 hikers already there and continued the remaining mile to our current campsite, located just past US 58. The actual campsite is just shy of 100 yards north of us, but we found a cozy spot amongst a hillside of tall pines. The ground is covered with soft, sponge-like needles which I'm taking advantage of by cowboy camping again. We walked up to the actual campsite, loaded up on water from the stream there, and lugged it back to this spot.During my dinner-making process of simply boiling water, the flames of my stove got out of control and started a fire underneath my Caldera Cone System. I lifted the system off the ground, causing the flames to expand. I attempted to put out the flames by throwing a lid over it to cut off the oxygen flow. Little did I know, there was some spilled alcohol fuel in the lid which caused the flames to expand even more. I immediately started throwing my gear away from the flames - shoes, socks, etc. - which were lying nearby. In my moment of discombobulation thinking I was going to set the entire state of Virginia ablaze, Moosehead calmly walked over and dumped his water on the flames. Not only was it water, but his already filtered water - a true sacrifice - one that I'd have to make up via another roundtrip to the stream in order to refill his water for him. Both Rock Boat and Hobble laughed during this ordeal and were of no real help. I'm sure I provided them both with decent journaling material though.After we wake tomorrow, we begin an immediate climb over the next ~4 miles to the summit of Whitetop Mountain at 5,080ft. We'll then bounce around in the 4,000ft range until we enter Grayson Highlands State Park, known for its scenic views and wild ponies and cows. Hopefully we'll be able to see some up close. Just as we enter the park, we'll also reach the 500-mile mark which, though not exact, will represent the 25% completion point. We'll top out at 5,490ft tomorrow which will be the highest point since I was freezing in a hail storm atop the balds just north of Roan Mountain, or what we like to call the Highlands of Roan in our best Scottish accents.For now the sun is beginning to set, bringing the first bit of comfort since this morning. The temperature tomorrow will be north of 80 degrees again, but hopefully the uniqueness of the Grayson Highlands makes it but a minor inconvenience. Although I wasn't hiking up and down mountains during my time in Cambodia, I try to remember that it was 2 weeks spent in near-100 degree weather and much higher humidity. It's all about keeping things in perspective.For now, here's to 500 miles tomorrow and being rocked to sleep by whispering pines overhead.