Amicalola Falls to Damascus in 21 Days

This morning I woke up around 5:30am and started to make some coffee. It was actually pretty nice out last night which was awesome. By the morning I was able to just keep my wind gear on when we got started. Then we were walking around 6:30am, with only 18 miles to go to get to Damascus.

It was a nice easy morning with only some rolling hills. In comparison to the elevation gain we’ve been doing this was a delight. The time went by quickly as we moved along the trail. It was really well manicured and there were only a handful of blowdowns. Just about all of them were easy enough to just step right over. And for the most part the climbs were all short and over quickly. I felt strong this morning as we were moving along.

Following the trail as it weaved and winded up small hills this morning.

Around 8:30am we passed by a tent just off the trail. We haven’t really seen anyone so it was cool to see a tent. They weren’t up and moving yet though so we didn’t get to see them. After that the brief climbs continued on and off for a while. Eventually it leveled out for a while as we approached the Virginia/Tennessee border. I can’t believe that we’re already crossing out of another state! So far we’ve hiked across 5 states and are about to enter into our 6th. Over the last 21 days we walked from Amicolola falls all the way to Virginia! And over the last 69 days we walked here all the way from Key West.

Bright pink skies as the sun began to rise.

Just before we got to the border we had a trail runner go past us. Then she came back around and continued down to Damascus right as we crossed over the border. I can’t believe we’re in Virginia! Time has just been flying. Last time I was on the AT it took me 34 days to walk from Amicolola falls to Damascus. This is just a very different journey this time around. The goals have changed, and moving quicker is a part of that.

Today the trail was very cruisy, and also quite beautiful. We walked along a ridge for alot of the morning.

After we crossed into Virginia we had another few miles to go to get to Damascus. For the most part it was all downhill and nice and easy! We rolled into town about an hour later, right around noon. Not too shabby doing 18 miles by noon! Today is about to be one of our classic “nero” days. Punisher’s friend Will is putting us up for the night at the Broken Fiddle Hostel. I didn’t stay there back in 2023 so I’m excited to spend the day. In 2024 I did come by and hang out at the hostel for a bit during trail days though.

Leaving Tennessee and entering into Virginia! Our 6th state.

When we got into Damascus I was surprised how good the town looked. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. It appeared to look just how I remembered it from trail days. But as we moved further through town I realized quickly that that wasn’t the case. The closer we got to the river the worse the damage got. We walked by a bunch of stores which were closed, including the iconic diner. I’ve eaten there so many times!

It feels great to be back in Damascus for the 4th time. After hiking in 23’ and going to trail days in 23’ and 24’.

Then we continued along and saw more damage. The coffee shop and gear shop were closed. It looks like the gear shop is alright inside, but it just wasn’t open. I’m not sure what their hours are this time of year or what days they are open. But apparently not in the afternoon on Mondays! Then we passed by the Dancing Bear where I stayed in 2023. When you approached from the side you couldn’t even notice the damage initially. The front building looked totally fine. But previously I stayed in a building in the back. It had two stories with different rentals. We stayed in the bottom unit which comfortably fit 6 of us in 2023. The building was now entirely gone though. That blew my mind. It must have gotten wrecked and they tore it completely down. I wasn’t expecting that.

Trail town USA, baby!

That area further in town definitely saw the worst of the damage. Everything done by the river had gotten hit bad. But then the places along the other side of the river were completely fine. The gas station and surrounding businesses were all open. We headed there to grab some chocolate milk. Then decided to get food inside the gas station because they did burgers, fries, and things like that. I got a chocolate milk, a Dr Pepper, and a patty melt with tater tots.

Once we grabbed food we walked across the street to the Broken Fiddle. The timing worked out perfectly and they were just getting things situated as we arrived. So we sat outside in the patio area and ate our food before heading inside. There is no one else staying at the hostel tonight as of the moment. So it looks like we’ll have the whole place to ourselves! I think that’s going to be the norm moving forward.

Sadly the box I had sent out a week ago hasn’t arrived at the hostel yet though! And once I got the tracking information I saw it said delivered, which was curious. I wasn’t sure what that meant or where it might be. My mind was definitely leaning toward the thought that it got snatched before it was able to be brought inside. Which wouldn’t have been the end of the world. Except I had a new pair of shoes sent out. I got this current pair at the Pinhoti Outdoor Center. Which was probably 700 or so miles ago.

The Broken Fiddle Hostel in Damascus is some place you have to stop off!

Typically I can use a pair of topo shoes for a bit longer. But I wasn’t sure where else to send the box to. I’m glad I had them sent here though, because my shoes are a wreck! The heels are really worn out so the plastic is getting close to rubbing. It’s not bothering my heels or anything yet. But I know it’s only a matter of time until it does. I don’t know how much longer this pair of shoes could last. So I’m really hoping this box turns up today.

The box also has about 7 mountain house meals and a random goodie that I bought a few weeks ago. I’m hoping the box turns up so oven get all my stuff! But in the meantime  I took a shower and got stuff together to do laundry. Then went through my stuff a bit. I have a few random things that I’ve been carrying, which I’m hoping to mail home. I’ve acquired a few random things along our travels, as well as have some stuff that I’ve just been carrying and haven’t used much. It would be nice to get rid of even a small handful of things if I can. 

Lounging in the bunk room after a shower.

The Broken Fiddle hostel was the absolute perfect spot to spend a lazy day. There was a big TV with tons of DVD’s and loads of space to hangout. Then they have about 10 bunks, and during the on season they have a couple of private rooms. The bathroom was great and I had a fantastic shower. Then it was lovely to do laundry too. After that I spent some time getting work done, writing, editing, and had some emails to respond to.

I wound up talking to my mom on the phone for a bit too. But while she was calling my dad called a bunch of times. And I’m so glad I answered! He had checked the tracking for my box and realized it must have gotten held at the post office. So he called a bunch of times because the post office closed at 4:30pm! And it was already after 4pm. Thank god I answered.

Once I got the call I grabbed what I needed and ran down the road to the post office. Where thankfully my box was in fact being held. I don’t know why they didn’t deliver it though. The address on the box was the Broken Fiddle. But it seems like post offices do this sometimes. I just don’t fully understand why. All I cared about though was that I got my box!

While I walked back I talked to my dad and filled him in. I was so glad that he checked everything and called me just in the nick of time. It would have been rough not figuring out that the box was at the post office. I really didn’t even consider the possibility that it was there. Because the address on the box was the hostel.

When I got back I went through everything and threw out my old shoes. I should’ve thrown them into the tree at the hostel but didn’t even think about it before trashing them. Then I went through all of my meals and what not. But the most exciting thing in the box was my new claw clip. I’ve been using a claw clip in my hair this year, and it makes a huge difference. My hair doesn’t get as knotted and tangled throughout the day. And stays up in one place all day long. Then in the evenings I just take it down to sleep, and it stays pretty healthy. This claw clip is something special though. Because it’s a possum! It was too adorable and silly to pass up. And as a thru hiker I’m a lifetime minimalist, so I don’t really ever go “shopping”. Typically I don’t exchange or even replace a lot of gear over the course of the year. So this was a little treat to myself. A fun accessory that I can have and wear everyday. But something that I was already using regularly too.

My new favorite possession. This possum claw clip for my hair!

Around this time we were starting to get hungry again. Apparently the Dairy King opened up toward the end of last year, which was just across the street. The last few times that I’ve been in Damascus it was always closed. So the timing this time around couldn’t have been better. Just about all of the places to eat in town are still shut down. And the one chicken joint that is open is actually closed on Mondays.

Every time I’ve been to Damascus this lot was abandoned, but now Dairy King is back open!

The Dairy King was actually amazing too! The inside of the building was that cool old diner style. I ordered a hot dog with chilli, the works, and coleslaw. Then also got chili cheese fries and a coffee shake. I been craving a coffee shake but haven’t been able to find one anywhere yet this year! We brought the food back to the hostel to devour it. And while I ate I got some tax stuff done that I need to get in before it’s too late.

The old menu prices were wild to see at Dairy King.

For the next few hours we just chilled out with Treehouse who runs the hostel. He’s an awesome dude that I met briefly during trail days in 2024. It was a blast watching a movie with him and just laughing and shooting the shit. He’s a really funny guy.

Later on in the evening Punisher’s friend Will arrived. He drove down from Vermont today which took over 13 hours! And he brought us a ridiculous amount of food. Sodas, pizzas, snacks, and all sorts of goodies. I wasn’t even hungry but still managed to take down 3 slices of pizza and a couple cookies. Lord knows I need it! Then we spent the rest of the night just hanging out and taking.

I went through my stuff and got things sorted away. Then made a pile of the many goodies I want to mail home. Such as random Knick knacks I’ve acquired, stickers, my other claw clip, a CNOC mini water bottle that I just haven’t used, and my resistance band. I was dealing with a shoulder issue when I first got to key west. It had been bothering me since I was on the CDT. But somehow it just completely went away as soon as I got on trail. So I haven’t used the band more than once or twice. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to mail all of that out before we leave town.

As always I wound up staying up super late at the hostel. I did writing and video work for a couple hours. As well as some other little projects and things. Then eventually I got ready for bed and called it a night. I don’t think we plan to hike out tomorrow until around 9am, so there isn’t too much of a rush.

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to support my hike by buying me a soda or a snack along the way, there is a “Tip the Author” button below! It links directly to my Venmo. Any and all support is incredibly appreciated!