Damascus, VA to Atkins, VA.
Damascus, VA was a nice little trail town, my camera died right before I got into town, so unfortunately I do not have any photos of Damascus. A replacement camera was overnighted to me during my stay. I got back on the trail mid day with Hips, Emilyn and Chameleon. Hiked about 6 miles to a campsite near Laurel Creek.
Hips, Chameleon and Emilyn. RAWR!
It was raining on and off, I hiked about 11 miles, then got feed up with the weather and aching blisters, so I set up camp early at the base of Whitetop Mountain.
The trail tunnels through Rhododendron frequently in Southern VA.
Woke up and hiked up Whitetop Mountain, it was raining off and on again all day.In the afternoon I entered my favorite region so far on the trail called the Grayson Highlands. Stopped for the night at Wise Shelter which is the 500 mile mark on the Appalachian Trail.
Buzzard Rock
Tyvek
Subway
Thomas Knob Shelter
Wild pony licking one of the Georgia Boys leg at Thomas Knob Shelter.
Wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park.
Hiked 10 miles to Hurricane Shelter and chilled there to wait out the rain. Subway arrived there and was planning to night hike 19 miles to Partnership Shelter. I decided to join him, so I napped briefly and we hit the trail around 2am, making good progress at night by averaging around 3 miles per hour. We arrived at Partnership Shelter in the morning, I lounged there all day and ordered delivery pizza from the Mount Rogers Visitor Center next door.
A group of section hikers at Old Orchard Shelter.
Subway.
Rambling Man at Partnership Shelter.
Partnership Shelter is a double story shelter with a built-in shower and sink, you can also order pizza from the visitor center around the corner.
Woke up and since I planned on taking a few zero days, I said goodbye to my friend Hips who is getting off the trail in a week for grad school. I will not be able to catch up to her after taking 4 days off and I will definitely miss her company out there. I Hiked 14 miles into Atkins, VA and split a room at Relax Inn for the night with Cool Pants. The next day I went back into NC for the weekend to visit my parents.
Cool Pants at the Shell in Atkins, VA.
Cool Pants outside the Relax Inn.
South bounders Hatchet, Trail Mix and their thru hiking cat Meow.
Tripping Yeti
Radio and Croc Hunter at Relax Inn.
One Comment
J – Please let me know if you need anything at all when you enter NH. The white mountians are a trip thats for sure. We will drive whatever you need out to you. I have loved reading about your journey.
Love – Shauna