The Hiker Slump

Everyone on the trail is currently experiencing what I call "the hiker slump".  This isn't the Virginia Blues because we're not far enough into the state to be sick of it yet.

This hiker slump comes from having already hiked over 600 miles and being very used to the routine of the trail.  We have started spending too much money, drinking too much beer, and spending too many days in town.  It's hard to tell how long it will last.  I'm currently trying to pull myself out of the slump, but my theory is that others will remain in this slump until the end of Virginia or until they check their bank statements.  I think Trail Days this weekend will only worsen it for some.

I'm hoping we get out of this pattern soon, so we can continue to Maine.  A ridiculous amount of people have already dropped off the trail, so on the positive side, its a big accomplishment that we're even still on the trail.

Start of Virginia

I hit the Virginia state line about 2 miles before getting into Damascus.  Damascus is a very hiker friendly spot.  They hold the annual Trail Days festival, which is coming up in two weeks.  I reunited with Cheese Water and Sir Towelie there, and we hiked on into the Grayson Highlands.

The day we entered the Grayson Highlands we also hit the 500 mile mark.  The Highlands are known for their ponies.  I thought I would just be seeing them from 20 feet away.  That wasn't the case.  They came right up to us wanting food.  They were licking the salt off our legs and packs.  I would compare them to over excited puppies.

It's been a rough week because the heat has been killer.  I've drank so much water throughout the days.  My Platypus holds 3 liters so I don't really run out.  I get to be picky about my water sources though, since I can carry so much.  I still haven't treated my water yet.  It seems like its going to be a hot, dry summer.  I might have to start treating if the water sources become few and far between.

It's crazy how quickly the weather has been changing.  A few weeks ago we had some crazy snow.  A lot of people had already sent home their cold weather gear, but I was lucky because I still had mine.  I had one really bad day in the snow.  I had to do 16 miles to a shelter, and it was getting dark just as I was climbing Roan Mountain.  The shelter should have been at the top, but it wasn't well marked.  By the time I checked my data book, I was almost 2 miles from the shelter.  It was dark out, and I had to set up camp where I was.  There were no trees to block the wind, so my tent was blowing all over the place.  I was by myself, and I woke up with my tent covered in several inches of snow.  I met up with my buddy Subway in the morning, and to top it all off, we got lost for 2 hours on the top of a freezing, cloudy mountain. Virginia is supposed to be pretty mellow compared to what I've already hiked. It's still pretty rough because I'm doing more miles than I was before. The next big thing is Trail Days. After that I'm aqua blazing the Shenandoahs. That's when you take a kayak or canoe down the river. hours