Well, it was SUPPOSED to be a Couch to 65k...
I knew this trip to the Shenandoah National Park section of the Appalachian Trail was gonna be hard. Snow, ice, rocks, roots, mountains (oh crap, I forgot there were mountains). This was much farther and longer than I had ever attempted (my top mileage previous for 2 days was 14 -- I would wind up hitting 30 in just under 3 days).
The plan was to hike from Rockfish Gap to Front Royal -- 107 miles in 8 days -- with my brother-in-law Mike (trail name Diesel and that is SPOT ON). We started mid-afternoon and I nearly expired after the ~8 mile slog to Calf Mountain Shelter.
(After) Not being all Happy Days hands don't wanna de-clench AYYYYYYY
(Before) WEEZY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING
Diesel Mike was a great hiking partner, but we soon realized after the 13 mile second day that we weren't going to be able to reach our goal (Front Royal and his car) before, oh, say mid-month. I felt much better than expected but I am no where near the athlete he is and I really didn't want to get in the way of his reaching his goal (he is close to the half-way point in section hiking the AT).
The takeaways:
- Even through the forecast was for nice weather a few days in, always pack for COLDEST night. The 5oz underquilt protector would have helped.
- Stop when you need to (but maybe not every 20 steps old man! COME ON)
- SWAMP BUTT IS REAL
The firsts:
- First multi-night trip (I wasn't in Scouts long enough to get to camp).
- Each day was a new distance record.
- First long section hike of the AT (A++ WILL HIKE AGAIN).
- First time using surgical tubing with Sawyer Mini (much faster and easier).
The second night at Blackrock Hut was better -- less death-y feeling and OMG cheesy potatoes are delightful -- and I was surprised I could feel rested after tossing and turning all night in the hammock. Go figure. And I didn't cry, NOT ONCE.
Even though I bailed at Loft Mountain Wayside, this trip taught me a lot and it was a fantastic experience. I didn't make it all the way, but I got to where I needed to be.
Couldn't leave it hanging...