Date: 2019-04-19
From: Walker Gap Stealth Campsite 

To: VA 623
Miles today: 4.8

Friday Day 61 Walker¢s Gap to VA623 and shuttle into Bland VA.4.8 Miles Nero to avoid tornado warnings and thunderstorms.I woke up around 5 a.m to a light rain pelting my tent. I would have loved to sleep in another hour or two as it really is relaxing when the rain isn¢t pounding down at torrential force, Unfortunately that¢s exactly the weather forecast for today severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes so the plan was to strike camp as quickly as possible and head to the first road secure a shuttle and head into town.We did exactly that, hiking at a quick pace in the early morning rain.  We arrived at the road crossing by 9 a.m. Earlier I had contacted Bubba a superb shuttle driver to pick us up and he was there waiting on us. Q, RG, Stingray and I checked in the Big Walker Inn right before the sky busted loose with a massive rain storm. Hikers on the mountains were trying to either find shelter or a way into town. I can¢t over emphasize how important it is to check the weather forecast daily on the mountains. We all agree forecasts are a gamble and certainly I¢ve taken my share of risks, but if at all possible err to the side of caution, this trail is dangerous enough on the best days. I checked in with some of our other friends and a few are holed up at Chestnut Knob Shelter which happens to be fully enclosed with a door and glass windows. If you had to pick a shelter to weather a bad storm this is the best of the best that I¢m aware of.¢Chestnut Knob is the old fire warden's cabin, which has been converted to an enclosed trail shelter with room for 8 or more hikers.A clearing in the trees to the north looks down on Burke's Garden, a very fascinating geological formation. The valley to the north, which looks like a giant, 8 mile by 4 mile crater from above, was formed by a limestone sinkhole. The valley has only one natural outlet, in the north, and only two roads leading out of it. The AT to the north walks along the rim of the Garden for the next 8 miles¢  (description from my Gut Hooks app). Yesterday we had beautiful view of this valley and Bubba the shuttle driver and many locals call the valley God¢s Thumbprint.Unfortunately today everyone gets to see clouds and rain.Tonight we are safe from all the bad weather and we plan to hike 16 miles tomorrow, we still have a slight chance of rain but we will go back to the road crossing and hike back into town and hopefully catch Easter service Sunday morning.I wanted to address a question on the guest book regarding advice for a 71 year old hiker. My advice from my perspective is the same for all ages. I would pack as light as possible to minimize stress on the shoulders and joints and most importantly I would keep the mileage way down starting off maybe 4 to 6 miles per day and progressively increase as you get stronger and acclimated to the terrain. Seriously I¢m just now able to climb without stopping and gasping for air and hike 15 plus miles per day and I¢ve been out here two months.I¢ve seen a lot of injuries, I mean a lot and most are related to over exertion. Everyone is different and fitness levels vary but ease into it regardless and you will have a greater chance of success!