Day 54 – Procrastination = Night Walk

I slept like a rock last night. It probably helped me not to go to bed until after 10:30 pm, since I started walking late yesterday. But anyway, it was a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately this led to a later start this morning, between sleeping in and procrastinating I didn’t start walking until almost 10am. Not a good way to start the day if the plan is to go more than 20 miles.

Following the Blue Ridge Highway

My stealth spot was probably only 50 feet from the Blue Ridge Parkway last night, which I didn’t know in the dark, but it became apparent this morning when the cars were surprisingly close as they passed by. This morning I continued walking roughly parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway. From time to time we cross it or look out at a viewpoint. About a mile later I did exactly that and got a view of the Otter Peaks, which would have been a great place to take a break, but I had just started and hadn’t earned one yet.

The otter’s beaks

However, ironically I ran into Mantis, Bucky, and Tortoise less than a mile later at another Blue Ridge Parkway crossing. In the end they gave me some chips and a Gatorade, so I stopped to chat and spend some time with them. This definitely didn’t help my goal of 20+ miles today, but it was nice nonetheless. After chatting with them for a while, I continued on and that’s when the trail finally split off from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail continued to be pretty hilly, although there was a moderate climb that definitely made me sweat a little. Not long after, I filled up my water as I entered a nearly 10-mile dry section trail with no reliable water.

The hike continued to go smoothly for the next few kilometers and I made decent time again. I stopped around 1:30 pm for a snack, and while taking off my pack, I ran into a SOBO hiker who said there was some magic on the trail at the next parking lot, about 2.5 miles away. So, I put my backpack back on and, with visions of hot dogs and cold drinks, I continued on. Less than an hour later I arrived at the parking lot with a heavy heart as it was empty. Unfortunately, no hot dogs for me today.

Moving on, no hot dogs

I walked for about another hour before stopping for a late lunch. I stopped for lunch near a water source and filled up on water for the next few miles. After lunch, a long climb followed, more in duration than elevation, with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet in 4 miles. After that climb, I got a brief respite for several kilometers on relatively flat terrain. However, that was interrupted by almost stepping on a snake…

It appears to be a juvenile eastern rat snake.

Once I got past that, I had my last climb of the day, up Apple Orchard Mountain. At that time it was already dark and I had the lamp on. I had hopes for a stealth site that never came. But after climbing over 1000 feet in less than 2 miles, I reached the top. The summit was covered in grass and had ample spaces to pitch a tent. I found a place next to some trees, somewhat protected from the wind and ready to spend the night.

Currently Listening: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Statistics for day 54:

22.3 miles

6,417′ ascent, 4,403′ descent

Stealth Site for Apple Orchard Mountain

0 DSLC…

Stove use times: 10

Snakes seen on the trail: 7

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