Last update, I was heading to bed after a shorter mileage day slowly regaining strength back from being sick!

Day 33: Poncho Pooper

Pooping in a poncho? Just like packing up in the rain, it’s not my ideal start to the day. We were both packed up in unison at 7 am when Sprout headed my way. I said “23 miles?” And with no hesitation, she responds “25?”.

Alrighty, 25 it is. 

A new podcast playing as I leave my tent site, I hope a better mood arises before this so-called “river forge”. Comments from a week ago mention the height calf level, but there was more rain then. We were dreading a cold crossing an hour into our day only to luck out and rock hop across. 

Newly across the river, there is only a massive climb left to get my day going! A 1000 feet of elevation gain every mile for 2 1/2 miles! Let’s go legs!!

If I’m honest, I was less than pleasant to myself the whole climb up. I then took a seat at the shelter on the tippy top; in hopes of seeing Sprout and keep pushing. Sitting there letting my stomach ruminate did me no favors with a newly upset stomach. I started descending and exchanged waves as she was making her final steps to the top.

I wanted to just forget the rest of today. It was too many little logistical things my mind was almost refusing to try and compute. I had to backtrack a third of a mile back to a road because of unreliable water sources ahead. Didn’t read the comments in time to prevent this mistake. I wanted to reconnect at a trail intersection, but my plans were spoiled by a juvenile black bear just munching away. Did the best Midwestern “hey bear” I could muster and slapping my metal poles together to scar it off. The bear was not bothered by me one bit at first. Doing a quick 360 of the low vegetation around me, I could assume this bear was alone. It just perked its ears up at me and only responded once I started yelling and whacking my metal poles together. I guess my hiking pole-hitting skills need improvement in the projection department. 

The last 10 miles to camp was a comedy podcast loop to try and stay ahead of my tired body. I am still committed to 25 miles today. 

I’m happy and know how fortunate I am to have sprung back so well after feeling so gosh, horrible just a few days prior. My stomach still can’t handle certain things yet. Electrolytes and salty chips seem to be culprits right now, but overall floored with how my stomach is handling food. 

I still had some daylight left to pitch the tent and get situated before eating dinner with my headlamp on. Not too long after, my girl made it to camp and we caught up and both out like a light before we knew it! 

Day 34: Outfitted for Another Town Push

I think it’s funny how my body is up wormy squirmy before ever hearing Sprout’s earliest alarm. I do enjoy taking my time packing up in the morning, but sometimes a quick rush once in a while is pretty thrilling. 

We only had 5 miles to “the outfitter” just shy of Bland, Virginia. I don’t think I would call it an outfitter, as it was barely outfitted with anything inside other than a one-man restaurant in the corner, but it worked. I got a plain chicken & biscuit sandwich, 2 chicken meat packets, a few oatmeal packets, and a sleeve of Oreos. I filled up our water bottles there and we were off as our next water wouldn’t be for 11 miles. 

Those were some hot and humid 11 miles that felt like they’d never end. We drank as much as we could once we reconnected at the water source. We would have to dry camp tonight, meaning bring water with us to camp as nothing would be available there was going to be past camp tonight. 

Only 9 miles to camp and I was ready to be there already! I’m really glad I had great service as I kept mentally busy talking to my mom for almost 2 hours! Hi mom, I don’t say it enough but you’re the best! 

Made it to camp and set up just before dusk and my girl wasn’t too far behind. Another big day for us with miles! Just a little over 25 miles in the books! Just one more push until relaxation. I can do it. 

Day 35: Last Push to Pearisburg

Packed up as early as we could manage to start the push until our well-deserved town day! The water sources today were gonna be weird again and forgot to double-check a source with her before leaving camp. I waited a few miles in for my clarification and good thing because her comments on the map weren’t nearly as recent as mine!  

We were trying to keep in touch throughout the day and found myself pushing on in the middle of the day as the sound of thunder lingered near. Two road crossings to go before town! I stopped at both road crossings texting Sprout her eta behind me. We have a room at a hostel close by, maybe they’ll shuttle us there from the trail? 

I get to the second road crossing and Sprout calls me. “I somehow walked into town? My map had been weird on my phone so I’ve been following another thruhiker and I’m almost at the grocery store!” Woopsie! Time to find me a ride, I’m not walking another mile uphill! 

Lucky for me, the hostel we booked at would come pick me up the few minutes away! I texted Sprout a few groceries to pick me up for dinner and we reconvened back at the hostel. A big dinner, get our clothes laundered, and a cozy bed to sleep in. 

Another sad day where I forgot my accurate miles. Best guess? 8 miles today. 

Day 36: Tornado Alley

I love how opposite people can be, yet sharing a bed and a small room doesn’t interfere with one another’s agenda. I was up early to head to Food Lion for my breakfast and have a non-rushed resupply to maximize my calories this stretch. I can tell my body has lost weight. 

Food all packed up and consumed as much as possible, Sprout sets off to reconnect her footpath and mine is a ride back to the trail! Our goal today was 15 miles, but with the unpredictable weather ahead we’re just gonna walk as late as we can in hopes it’s closer to 20 miles.

The constant rain made us push to a shelter just shy of 20 miles out of town. The whole walk there was humid and muggy leaving me to barely stop for a break. It also wasn’t encouraging terrain with the recent tornado that touched down in this section of trail either.

We had roughly 40 miles of walking through blown down trees and debris covering trail was all we were told at the hostel, ad nauseam. Navigating around the obstacles was very enjoyable for me as it gave my mind something to solve. Although, most people’s answers were easy to spot. 

I had my hopes up for some room in the shelter as there were a lot of people I passed on the trail today. I found myself there at dusk, and set up quickly in the sprinkles from the tree. No room in the shelter, so the last slope’s mud patch was mine. I managed to somehow get level and tried my best to warm up and sleep. Sprout’s either here tomorrow morning or we’ll reconnect then; I’m done with today. 

Day 37: Where Are You Sprout?

I woke up relatively early to try and find my partner in crime. Walking almost 8 miles before getting a text message from her. She is 2 miles behind me and the earliest campsite option within our mileage goal is around 22 miles. 

I took tons of little breaks today in hopes she’d catch me, but sadly never did. The combination of talkative day hikers and very inquisitive thru-hikers didn’t leave for very long and relaxing breaks either. I didn’t stop again once I was within 6 miles of the campsite by water. It also happens to be at the base of yet another climb. If we continue, it would’ve been the 3rd over 1,000 ft elevation gain for a hill today. 

I got to the campsite early and just threw in the metaphorical towel for the day. Setting up in yet again another crappy spot, but got level and called it a day. I eventually ate my dinner and saw Sprout pass me as she was gonna sleep at the top of the climb. Like my sister would say, “that’s future me’s problem”. 

Until the next update, thanks for reading along, and happy trails!