The Ridges Where Angels Rest (ECT Day 125)

• Hiked Today: 20.3 miles
  • Appalachian Trail (625.7 – 646)
• Total Hiked: 2,580.9 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather 55 – 70°F, mix of sun and chunky puffy clouds, light rain shower in camp.

Elevation: 1,536 – 3,917 feet

Woods Hole Hostel to W. Virgina Border Campsite 

Even at the very best hostels it seems, sleep can be hard to come by for me when opting to brave the bunkhouse style arrangement. Another mega snorer was present. And, it was the bunk right next to me. It didn’t take me long to abandoned ship, so to speak. I remembered that out on the bunkhouse porch was a bench that had a cushion across it. Gathering up my pillow, sleeping bag, water bottle, and headlamp, I descended the steep ladder stairs to my new bed.

Once outside my porch bench sleep was pretty solid. I awoke before light, visited the bathhouse, then switched porches to once again sit in what I now felt like was “my” rocking chair. Eventually, I filled my mug with hot delicious coffee, which I learned was apparently roasted right in house by Jaws.

This mornings conversation was with Candyman. He told me some stories of what it was like growing up in Southern California and then about some of his experiences working for border patrol. I picked up that generally we’d probably disagree on a lot politically, but this was just a conversation and we weren’t combative or wanting to prove the other wrong. Mainly I listened, recognizing that I knew absolutely nothing about what actually goes on at the southern border and he has years of on the ground real life experiences. 

Breakfast was another amazing meal and I enjoyed the time with this new batch of hikers. Yesterday, even before I made the call to zero, I was content to sit and hang, but today I was quicker to get in my groove and start packing up. It took me until around 9:00 am to be ready to go. Then, after saying some goodbyes and thank you’s, I trekked up the hill back to the AT and started hiking at 9:30 am. Saxton walked the hill with me and went on ahead when I stopped to delayer. And then Candyman caught up and we chatted briefly before I started zooming.

The trail today was a lot like it’s been lately. There were a few exceptions though, mainly that there were occasional views looking out across the surrounding area. The general trend of the morning was a few rollercoasters before heading down to the New River and access to the town of Pearisburg.

Lots of deer in Virginia.

Trilliums returned today.

These views were labeled “Pearis Ledges”…

And then, a bit further, I got to witness Angel’s Rest Rock.

The New River and the town of Pearisburg, VA

I would have stayed longer and enjoyed the view, but the rock was already taken by a day hiker. Instead, I found a larger and taller rock nearby, climbed up it, and had a quick lunch up there…

Cold soaked ramen for lunch this week

Down, down, down after this…

Unlike Damascus, the AT does not go through Pearisburg. It does go pretty close though, so it seemed like most hikers were taking the mile or so road walk in to town. Having my box sent and getting some snacks from Woods Hole, I didn’t need to visit. Instead, I kept cruising, crossed over the mighty New River, and then started going up again.

It was back up to above 3,000 feet again. The climb simmered down upon reaching the Rice Field Shelter which was also where I met the West Virginia border for the first time. I wouldn’t really cross into the state though. For now the trail just hugged the line along the crest of the ridge.

The Rice Field Shelter has been the topic of discussion for hikers the last few days as it got put out there that it was sort of an epicenter for norovirus. There, and also the hostel in Pearisburg. Rumors were running rampant on trail. I’d also heard that “someone… maybe someone from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy,” had decontaminated the shelter via a bleach spray down. Who knows if that’s true though, so I just kept on going to the next campsite. I did see Soap (the hiker, not the hand washing liquid, although that might’ve made sense) there and chatted briefly.

This was the only flower I saw with this vibrant color and it was near to a campsite. Made me wonder if somebody planted it.

Oh we fancy tonight!

I set up at a spot with a few other tents nearby. I got to chatting with Pie Top and Half Iron (I think), a father and son duo. As I was failing with my rock toss/food hanging process, I told the camp I was tonight’s entertainment. It was somewhat comical. I was enjoying the conversation, but pretty quickly into it, a little rain started up enough to have us all take cover inside the tents. It didn’t last long but I also didn’t emerge again haha. I’m always tired at the end of the day. That fact never fails to be tru.

If you’ve been enjoying following along, and also want to help kids get access to the outdoors, please consider supporting Outdoors Empowerment Network! I added the “Tip Author” button below that will directly link to my fundraising page. My goal is to raise $2 for every mile I hike on the ECT, so around $12,000. I’m amazed at how much we’ve already raised for this great cause. Y’all are truly amazing. Thank you!!!

Album of the Day:

“Good Girl Gone Bad” (2007) – Rihanna 

Podcast of the Day:

“Richard Dawkins and Ian McEwan talk about Religion, Science, Truth, And American Christianity” – The Poetry of Reality with Richard Dawkins (Nov. 11, 2024)