Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA to Wapiti Shelter, VA: Daily miles 26.3, Total miles 609.3
Got up at 7 am and talked to Hannah while I waited for Mike and Hampton to get moving. Packed up and got out about 8 am. Ate at DQ and hitched back to the trail. Didn’t actually get hiking until 10:30 am. The trail was pretty easy and the miles went fast, but it’s hard moving after town days. Rained on and off all day and was pretty cold, 50 degrees maybe, but it was nice getting in some bigger miles. At the end of the day the sun broke through and the last of the day lit up the tops of the trees with a deep golden color and everything seemed very idyllic. Then we got to the shelter and it started pouring rain. I got wet cooking dinner, but was lucky enough to snag the last spot inside. Mike and Hampton are tenting. The people in with me have been out over two months and were watching TV on an iPod when we got here. Kind of annoying because they were pretty loud, but oh well. Into Pearisburg tomorrow. I am 2 days behind because of the second zero day in Damascus and yesterday’s half day, but I am still feeling good and that’s what’s important.
