Date: 2015-04-06
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I dreamt that I was on a school trip and each student had been given a whole pizza. I had somehow stealthily eaten a few bites of everyone's pizza (an admitedly asshole move). Food has overtaken my mind and now, my dreams. Hiker hunger is a permanent state for both of us now. Ravenous, insatiable appetite. We woke up particularly early because today, we cross into Virginia and arrive in Damascus, dubbed the AT's friendliest town. Damascus is were "Trail Days" takes place, a yearly event held in May where hikers reunite and party. There are presentations, gear retailers, talent shows, live music events, contra dancing (???) and a hiker parade, which must be the smelliest parade yet. We are not going to attend Trail Days (the only direction I am going is north) but many hikers travel from all over to Damascus for the event.We left while it was still dark and could see far off in the valley the glow of artifcial lights: Damascus! With our eyes on the prize, we ran the 10 miles seperating us from the town, reaching a speed of 3 mph, a record for us. We crossed the TN/VA line and got to town before 10 AM.We are staying in a nice, quaint little B&B (Dancing Bear). Shrugs was quite insistent on staying at a place that served breakfast (hiker hunger, again). The laundromat was closed so we had our laundry done at Crazy Larry's hostel for a small fee. We talked with Crazy Larry while the laundry was finishing up; super nice guy with many stories.I bought neon, cyan blue gaiters (they are a small piece of cloth that goes over your boots to prevent dirt and leaves from getting in your boots) and leopard-printed hot pink sunglasses to replace my broken pair. These items match my currently offensively fluorecent clothes; my goal while on the Trail is to look as weird as possible. Since we have entered Virginia, it's time for a NORTH CAROLINA/TENNESSEE SUMMARY (I'm coupling both states as we do travel along their shared borders but I'll try to remember a few details pertaining to each individual state. I have already done a summary on the Smokies)- NC started off with easy terrain, although I may have been spurred on by the rush of having recently completed Georgia- The climb out of the NOC stood out since it was quite a long climb. Long, continuous and vertical climbs up a series of hills are quite common. Although elevation profiles show a mild slope, I found these climbs to be harder than steeper climbs which require switch-backs or rock-climbing. In the latter cases, I am more concentrated on the climb and manage to maintain my stamina. With these hills, my eyes are fixated on the ascend which seems to reach towards the skies; my calves burn as I tread up the continuous, unchanging terrain. Max's patch and the series of balds following Roan Moutain are fine examples. - That being said, these hills and balds offer the BEST views. Far-reaching, 360 degrees. 10/10, would view again.- The NC/TN border got progressively harder - the stretch between Hot Springs and a bit beyond Erwin were particularly challenging. Of course, the level of difficulty was compounded by the bad weather- On the weather: as in GA, it was very cold - snow and freezing temperatures...then, as quickly as the cold descended on the Trail, it was warm. Bipolar weather. I had rarely seen such a variety of climates within a short span of space and time. Basically, be prepared for anything.- The Tennessee-only was short and mildly dull. Steep yet short up-and-downs meant no outstanding views. It was cold but sunny. I think we were quite motivated as we knew Damascus, VA was near, an important milestone.3 down, 11 to go. Until then, we have pizza and ice cream. People have been making fun of us for eating ice cream every chance we get. What can I say - we must honor our patron Saints, Benedictus and Jerrius.- Axon