Date: 2018-10-12
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel Roan Mountain, TN

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 138.9

This is the first part of a compilation of Greenie's and my hike from Roan Mountain to Mount Rogers NRA headquarters just north of Partnership shelter near Marion VA. We started walking on Sunday 9/30 and finished the section on Friday 10/12. Distance travelled shown on this page is the total distance for this tripGreenie and I flew out of Boston on Saturday 9/29 to Asheville, Meeting Harry Siegal who drove us to Mountain Harbour. This was the second time Harry had shuttled us, and he was on time and great to deal with providing a comfortable ride to Roan Mountain.When we got to Mountain Harbour we collected our food drop boxes and settled in getting ready for the start of our walk. We packed up our bounce boxes to ship ahead to Marion Va where we would need our duffles and street clothes for the end of our trip.This late in the season, the wonderful food truck was not in operation, so we had frozen pizzas for dinner and turned in at about 8:00 PMSunday 9/30 we were up at 6:40 (late for us) and went up to the main house for coffee and at 8:00 AM they served the most wonderful home made breakfast we had ever had. We hit the trail around 9:00 AM.The initial climb out of Roan Mountain was moderate - and we had some beautiful open areas along the way. The trail leveled out and most of our day was in the woods. We passed a Baptist Church and a cemetery that someone had left a baby car seat (empty) at the cemetery gate (really weird). We stopped at Jones Falls for a snack (not a spot to me missed) and made our way to the Mountaineer falls shelter where we watered up and headed out. We connected at the shelter with "Just Joe", who joined us for the night tenting off the trail on an old forest service road before Walnut Mountain. 10.4 miles for our first day and in all, was a good one.Monday 10/1: I guess I had some wacky dreams last night - Greenie said I was talking tongues at one point and called out my wife's name at about 1:00 AM. I woke before sunrise to the moon shining into my tent. first light at 6:50 and sunrise at about 7:20. We hit the trail at about 8:30. Lots of walking in the woods today. Just Joe shoved off ahead of us, but we did eventually catch up to him. Only had one nice vista today - otherwise just walking in the green tunnel. Made Moreland Shelter for lunch. Joe was struggling with the heat. I gave him some electrolyte tabs to help him out, but I got the feeling he was not going to continue this trip based on his condition and his demeanor. We hit one more minor view point just before we stopped for the day. We set camp near a nice open field with level tent sites and a good water source. We ended up being the only folks there for the night. 20.5 miles under our feet with tomorrow to be 12.7 miles where we would land at Boots Off Hostel for the night.Tuesday 10/2 - up with first light, broke camp, and headed out by 8:30 just as it started to rain. It rained the first hour before the skies started to brighten. Crossed Dennis Cove Road and onto Laurel Fork Falls. Greenie got stung by a yellow jacket going down to the falls but was OK. The hike from the falls took us around a small rock outcropping which would be impassible at high water. We watered up before we crossed the river via a bridge and began a 1,700 foot climb up to pond flats -and damn, was it hot! We hit a spring near the summit where we sat for lunch and dried out a little. On the way down we passed a flip-flop hiker slackpacking - but otherwise only saw a few hikers all day. I took a big time digger falling over the side of the trail which was edged along the steep grade. I managed to grab a small sapling to keep from sliding down the steep grade. Greenie had to pull my pack off of me first so I could get back up onto the trail. I would have been screwed had I been alone.Boots off hostel is OK - we had a "micro cabin" which was really small but clean. They took us into town for dinner which was one of the most unhappy places I have been on the trail. Back at the hostel we showered (this shower should not be missed), grabbed our laundry and packed it in at 8:15.Wednesday 10/3. Up and out by 8:30. Nice hike around Watauga Lake. Hit Wilbur Dam, took a break and some pictures and started up the Iron Mountain range. By 10:00 it was stupid hot and muggy - I had to stop and wring my shirt out I was so wet from sweat. Met up with Shoestring and Woodchuck at the spring before Vandeventer Shelter where we broke for lunch. Stopped at the shelter on the way out, took some pictures and moved on. Set camp at 3:45 and hit the hay at 7:30 (dark).Thursday 10/4 Good day today, and just what we needed. The place where we tented had a little slope, but not bad. The folks that camped on the other side of the trail left before us and also left a campfire burning (idiots). Greenie and I snuffed it out as best we could before leaving. The trail was kinder and gentler today, and we slowed our pace to adjust to the heat. We crossed an old farm that had a handicapped accessible section of trail as well as Uncle Grindstones grave. Only a few SOBOs today. We tented at a nice grassy area above Low Gap (US 421). Tomorrow we reach Damascus and a zero day.Friday 10/5:Up earlier than usual this AM and began packing by headlamp. Was a little "off balance" this AM finding it difficult to get organized and think clearly. I did not sleep as well as I would have liked or thought I should have given the level tent site I had.On the trail before 8:30. Passed McQueens Knob shelter (only used for emergencies). The place looked like it would fall down in a light wind so I could see why you would not use it unless there was no choice. Stopped at Abbington Gap shelter and watered up as it was the last water for 8 miles. Long hike down to the water.Crossed the TN/VA line around 2:00 PM, took some pictures and walked on. Only saw a few hikers all day today.Came across a strange dude who set up "home" just north of the VA line - the kind of dude you need to be concerned about your safety around. We reported him to the caretaker of "The Place", who is also a local hiking club leader. He was going to address it with the authorities. Checked into the Hikers Inn - a fantastic place to stay. Finally, we are in Damascus!