Monday, June 22 10:08 pm 9.4 mi
AT 720.9 Lambert’s Meadow Shelter → AT 730.3 Daleville/Super 8 Motel
Weather: Sunny and beautiful!
Trail Conditions: Really weird not having a big climb or descent today. Lots of pretty views looking down on lake/reservoir
My Condition: Feeling good – short, easy day, and town always pulls you onwards like a giant magnet!
Really enjoyed the shelter experience last night. Maggie and Jacob asked a lot of questions about my experience, but seemingly have quite a bit of outdoor experience of their own. They narrowed their weekend options down to the Greyson Highlands or the VA triple crown, but opted for the triple crown since it was closer. They are avid Backpacker Radio listeners, so we talked all sorts of trails and backpacking characters. Dave and Joe also stayed at the shelter. Dave brought my Rubz ball for me, which I had left at Four Pines. Awesome surprise, especially after I went through all my stuff 3 or 4 times looking for the thing unsuccessfully! Joe hiked the trail in 1986 when he was 19, right before his boot camp started. I asked him how the trail experience compared. He talked evolution of gear (much lighter, more compressible), rerouting of the trail (was ~20 mi shorter, less switchbacks – GA was tough back then, much like Dragon’s Tooth climbing up and down rock faces), trail updates and info being much harder to come by (paper guides vs Guthooks, only updates come from calling hostels, etc. via pay phone), photography being much more difficult and less instant gratification (had to develop film and decide prints, negatives, etc, had to carry additional equipment vs. just a cell phone), less hostel options, less people on trail, less awareness of the trail from communities it ran through. Interesting perspective! Went to Panchos for dinner with Joe and She’s The One, after a first dinner (solo) at Taco Bell. Trying out some new shoes – Hoka One One Speedgoat 4s. Haven’t seen my Triple Crowns in any stores, and worried I won’t be able to get them if I need a new pair. I trained in this pair of Triple Crowns, and although I could push more miles from them, I feel the trail more and more through the bottoms. The Hokas are so cushiony, and so far seem a great fit. The stack height will take some getting used to – feels like I’m riding really high. Wore them around town, and my feet were happy today. The true test will be with a loaded pack on Wednesday. Zero day tomorrow!
Post Trail Analysis
Last night, I believe Joe spotted a bear climbing a tree near the shelter. I had to get up for a midnight bathroom break (hydration is important but oh so inconvenient in the middle of the night). I walked into the darkness, fumbling with my headlamp to find the button for the red light. I hit the button and saw, reflecting back at me in the darkness, two big round red eyes. Probably an owl - pretty cool! I absolutely LOVED my time in Daleville. The walk into town was among the gentlest walks into town all trail long - no treacherous, steep ascents or descents in or out like you find at Port Clinton or Erwin. Although you’ve got a little bit of walking to do to get anywhere, you have some incredible options. The Super 8 was one of the nicest hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in, and I paid the hiker rate to boot! The Hoka One Ones, Maori for “fly over the earth,” are the shoes I would finish the trail in, and certainly helped me to stumble, bumble, and trudge over the earth, probably less gracefully than they were intending when they coined the phrase. Named after Speedgoat, who crewed for Scott Jurek during his record breaking speedrun of the AT and later held the Fastest Known Time himself, is known for his perseverance. Me, I just liked the shoes! They kind of remind me of the Sketchers Rockers, with big, thick heels and a pretty unique shape, and while they might not be the peak of fashion, they did wonders for my thru hike. “Everyone starts in Altras, and finishes in Hokas” I heard from someone, and to be fair 3 of the 4 of us finished the trail wearing Hokas (myself, Blue, and Puddles). The longer I was on trail, the tougher my feet became, but also the more tender they became. It hurt to walk around barefoot, even just around a hotel room. With the Speedgoats, however, I felt like I was walking on clouds! I got a message from She’s The One inviting me to Panchos for dinner while I was on my way back from Taco Bell, already stuffing my face with four bean and cheese burritos. I’m a hobbit at heart, what can I say. Second dinner sounded like a GREAT idea!
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