Date: 2018-11-08
From: Near Bland, VA

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 25.7

Last night I went to sleep around 9. About 10 I was awakened by light and voices. Fortunately I was not startled and had no bladder issues. I heard someone say "Someone's already here" and another say "It's Lake." So, I responded with "Hey!" It was G-man, Smiles, and Landslide. They apologized for stopping so late. This was apparently a campsite mentioned in their guidebook. We had conversation though I never got out of my tent. They camped next to me on the wide corner. I warned them I will be getting up early. G-Man said he was going to "cowboy it" which means no tent. After we all settled in for sleep it started to sprinkle. I heard G-Man hastily set up his tent. I was up around 4 a.m. I heard light snoring so I packed up as quietly as I could. When ready I walked between two tents crunching leaves as I tried to sneak through. I was on the trail at 5:13 a.m. The trail continued on the hillside. When daylight did arrive the terrain leveled out. Then a graded drop down to Laurel Creek. After another climb and drop I crossed Hunting Camp Creek where I picked up water then continued a short distance to Jenkins Shelter. It was 9:15. While at the shelter I shaved, washed my hair, and made coffee. I was back on the trail at 10 a.m. I had intended to reach Chestnut Knob Shelter and stay there tonight. Rain was coming in and I didn't want to pack up in the rain especially at the elevations I'll be trekking through today and tomorrow. After Chestnut Knob I was going to hike in the rain tomorrow to Knot Maul Branch Shelter just 9.4 miles further. Then town the next day. But shortly after leaving Jenkins Shelter I met Nobo section hikers Firefly and Owl. The women were weather app specialists. One rechecked her app and told me no rain until tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. That changed my whole plan for tonight and tomorrow. I thanked them as I continued in deep logistical thought. The trail's condition deteriorated quickly. It was back to rocks and steep climbs. On the vast climb up to the ridge I passed Twisted Sister #2. When I got to the ridge I met Twisted Sister #1. A short time later #2 arrived and we talked. #1 is older and from Maine. #2 is from Nova Scotia. She hiked the International AT in Canada and is part of the IAT organization in Nova Scotia. She was real interested when I told her I hiked the IAT through Canada. She said my name did not ring a bell but she did know Sterling the other guy who hiked the IAT the same year I did. I continued on the rocky ridge line, sometimes passing unique rock formations. At VA 623 I was a bit disappointed G-Man, Smiles, and Landslide didn't catch me. G-Man was leaving the trail to go to Disney World and I wanted to wish him well. Disney World was part of a family vacation plan. I continued, eventually dropping into Walker Gap where there was a stream. I needed water for the steep climb to Chestnut Knob. Going up the knob was very steep. However I was surprised when I saw the shelter at the time sooner than expected. The shelter is a renovated fire warden's cabin. I arrived at 5 p.m. Chestnut Knob is at 4,409'. It overlooks Burke's Garden, a large beautiful crater shaped depression surrounded by ridges and filled with farms. The Vanderbilts attempted to purchase all the land at one point but were unsuccessful and eventually built their mansion instead near Asheville, North Carolina. Since it is not to rain until 10 a.m. tomorrow, I earlier decided to go on a few miles. I was hoping Smiles and Landslide would catch up because I was going to see if we could join forces and push on to Lick Creek. Getting to Lick Creek would not only put us into a good position to reach Groseclose tomorrow but it is over 2,000' lower which means warmer. But, with no signs of those guys I decided to push on myself. It is all downhill and I felt energized. It began to get dark as I passed through several mowed expansive fields. The wind was blowing the grasses about. To the east and south I could see bluish grey mountains in the twilight. The largest of then was due south and must be Mount Rogers, the higher mountain in Virginia. I think I saw a bat fly by as I was observing the fading views. A few deer bolted as I got too close. I went by a pond I was looking for. I remember swimming in it on a hot day in 1998. I remember camping there with Metro North and a red head guy in 2012. At 6 p.m., about the same time the trail veered from the field and into the woods, I turned the headlamp on. The trail remained in the woods for the rest of the drop to Lick Creek. It definitely was warmer as I descended. The trail descended for the next two hours. The leaves seemed damp and not so loud as I walked. Small oaks' red color seemed extra red as the headlamp shined on them. Trees' girth seemed exaggerated as the light highlighted their growth pattern. At 7:55 I reached the bridge across Lick Creek. It seemed warm but it was flurrying. Even a few flying insects were about. I quickly set up camp, drew two liters of water, then placed my trash bag on one of the piers of the bridge so not to draw any critters. As I checked today's mileage I was surprised I went 25 miles! I didn't consider the total when I decided to push on beyond Chestnut Knob. But as I slid into my sleeping bag the knee let me know we pushed farther than was allowed by the union and it would protest all night long. I could hear several Barred Owls nearby. The rushing water of the creek hopefully will help me sleep. A long darkness to darkness good day.