Date: 2010-04-12
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Groseclose VA
Miles today: 11.6

¢People say that you're going the wrong way when it's simply a way of your own¢                        - Angelina JolieToday I would be slackpacking the "wrong" way, that is southbound. This way I could leave as early as I wanted and not drag Kinnickinic away from home so early. The plan was I would hike to Partnership Shelter, and Kinnickinic would meet me there and return me to Atkins.I was on the trail before 7:00 enjoying the quiet of the morning. I passed over farm fields and could see houses and barns below. A lone tent just off the trail showed no signs of life, so I hiked quietly on to allow the presumably tired hiker inside to sleep a little longer. The trail went by the Settlers' Museum and the Old Schoolhouse, but it was so early that I did not stop.The morning seemed to hold all the promise of spring. It was a warm yet gente day. So far a bit of breeze kept things cool enough even though the sun shone brightly.I came to the Chatfield Shelter and decided to stop for a boots-off break. I read the trail register and noted the many thruhikers that had already been by. A copy of Backpakcing had been left, so I read that for a while. Finally duty called. I put my socks and boots back on and continued south. All along the way leaves were just starting to break open - just barely. Gerda came along, hiking north. We talked briefly then went on our ways. I also met thru hikers going the other way - the "right" way. I chatted briefly with three of them. The fourth was clearly in the zone and barely noticed that I was there. Wonderful analysis and thought often goes on in that zone, so I didn't want to break in with conversation, but just let him pass by.By early afternoon my feet were very sore. It wasn't the blisters so much, but the balls of my feet and the toes had a burning sensation and a slight numbing. Each step was painful. I tried lacing my boots differently, and that helped some, but not enough. Eventually I changed into my rocs. Some hikers are able to hike in Crocs; clearly I am not one of them. Each rock seemed to bruise my soles, and on the downhills my toes would smush against the front of the Crocs painfully. I had changed into them only a short while before arriving at the Mount Rogers Visitor Center, but I was very happy to arrive and sit down.I sat on the floor and chatted with Louise, who was at the front desk. We talked until Kinnickinic showed up to fetch me. Then it was off to a most welcome lunch. As ususal Kinnickinic and I talked for quite a while. Afterwards she took me to a Rite-Aide drugstore where I bought a few things. These included some gel inserts that are supposed to cushion the balls of one's feet, and some heel inserts to take up extra space that can contribute to blisters. I guess that to get to toebox big enough for my high-volume feet I got the heels too wide.I had planned to hike on with my backpack the following day, but Kinnickinic said could slackpack me some more. My knees and feet rejoiced at the idea of leaving the pack behind for another day, so I accepted.*That* sounded like the *right* way to hike.Early start. Farms RR tracks long way xrocs visitor center Louise kinnickinic dinner feet knees extend stay another slack Thru hikers bootbeats