We have now made it 460 miles (740 kms) into our hike! Along the way we have been growing as a community of committed thru-hikers making the pilgrimage to Katahdin. Arrow Maker met a hiker one day who was on the trail for the community, not the final destination like most others. He described the AT hikers as one of the last remaining nomadic communities left in North America. I really liked thinking about us this way. Our nomadic community moves northish almost daily carrying our homes on our backs. Sometimes we stay in the shelters left by "ancestors" of our community. We all have trail names (no need for a first and last anymore) and we communicate in a more simple way, through trail journals left in the shelters. We consume excessive amounts of food (about 3x's more then average) yet as a community we probably have the lowest BMI's as a whole. We all smell like swass most days, but hey, if we all smell bad who can tell! Friendships and bonds are solidified over extreme highs and lows that come with trail life. Our community... its GREAT!
Yesterday we walked into Damascus, known as the friendliest town on the trail! Here we are all gathering for a celebration for us, the AT thru-hikers of past and present. It is called Trail Days and is the largest gathering of thru-hikers for the whole journey! We even get to parade through the town (though I am wondering who will be watching). There is free food, gear, drinks and a very "lost boys" type forest party brewing.
In a few days we will head back on the trail. There are a lot of rumours that Virginia is "flatter" then what we have hiked so far, but a huge part of me is scepticle about the whole thing. A famous hated saying among hikers is "It's all down hill from here..." when truth be told you almost always feel as though there is a punishing amount of uphill every day. I hope the same principal does not apply to the "flatter" statement.
A highlight of this section of the trail is the Grayson Highlands where wild ponies run free! Apparently they are pretty tame and will come lick the salt from your hands, but I will be wary knowing that some hikers were attacked by the ponies a few weeks back (this may be a trail rumour).
Hopefully next time we can post some pictures!
Happy Trails!
While Virginia has more smooth trail to some extent, it isn't 'flatter' until Shenandoah! Also, there are some rough sections after Daleville and between Waynesboro. But once you hit the Shennies, you'll fly to Vermont.
ReplyDeleteWe met you guys at VA 621 for our annual breakfast/lunch cookout on May 29.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had as much fun as we did!
Living so close to the trail we are fortunate to meet many hikers and that has been an experience in its self.
Good Luck to the both of ya'll not only on the trail but in life as well.
By the way, NICE blog and GREAT pictures!