Friday, June 20, 2014

Appalachian Trail - Hampton TN (TN 321) to Damascus VA - 15.7 miles

Started my journey with a shuttle ride from Damascus to Hampton around 6:45. The drive, "Just Bill", was a really interesting and kind individual. We shared stories and hiking ideas on the hour long drive through winding roads that offered very nice scenary as the fog burned off.
I hit the trail around 7:50 and easily made my way around Watauga Lake. The trail hits the shore line on several instances so I had really pretty views for the early part of my morning. I stopped and had a snack at the Dam, but had to make it quick as the rain was rolling in.
It only rained for a short time, but I didn't mind as it cooled me down as I made my way up a 2000' ascent. I didn't get much sleep the night before and had a few too many adult beverages at the Pizza Joint in town making for a tiring morning.
I poked along at a slow, but steady pace the rest of the day.
I am now laying in my tent at Iron Mountain Shelter and it has started to rain heavily and thunder. Not sure what I'm in for tonight :O

3 comments:

  1. That's a great shot of the lake and dam. Are you hiking the AT trail section by section now? I bet you'll have better luck with the rain the farther into summer we get. I'm hitting up a section of the Sheltowee Trace next month and hoping the rain will not be an issue. Thanks for the update man, keep on hikin :)

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  2. Thanks for following along!!! I just enjoy getting out onto the trail any time I get some free time. Helps keep the mind clear ;) Just hitting random sections of trail that are not my "Go To" hikes to get a little change of scenery.
    I hope you have a great time on your trip!!! Do you have a Youtube station or a website that you document your journeys?

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    1. Sorry for my late response. Glad to follow along on your blog here. I enjoy watching other hikers' style and the way they do things. I'm always looking to improve things I do on the trail.

      I have a YouTube account under the name ryply76 however I do not have any videos uploaded yet. I'll probably start doing some this fall though. No website yet, that might change in the future but I might just stick with the YouTube account.

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