Two States

What? Foot travel along the AT
When? Friday, January 11
Where? Peter's Mountain Wilderness

Part of my duties as the faculty advisor to the Outdoor Club at Virginia Tech involve keeping an eye on 20 miles of the Appalachian Trail between the Pine Swamp Shelter and Rd 460. This is a remote area, most of which pertains to Peter's Mountain Wilderness. A highlight of the section is that goes over a ridge that separates VA and WV. From the trail, you can admire the geography of both states simultaneously.

I decided to start the pre-thru-hiking season activities by going on a one-day hike of those 20 miles. The trail is in pretty good condition. There are a few blowdowns here and there, but nothing to write home about. The views, particularly those of WV at Symm's Gap, remain breathtaking, even in a chilly, damp, Friday in winter.

You should not reject your next opportunity to hike this section.

11 miles of joy; almost

What? Hiking the Rock Castle Gorge Trail
When? Sunday, January 6
Where? Jefferson Natl Forest

After the prescribed vacation hiatus, I finally found the necessary peace to keep learning about the place where I live. Ever since I moved to SW Va, some three-odd years ago, I had been wanting to hike what is supposed to be one of the most strenuous and spectacular trails withing shouting distance: Rock Castle Gorge. Until now, I had always found the perfect excuse not to do it: I'm not in shape, It's too far away, It's going to rain. Motivation was easy to find this week: I have spent most of the last seven days of my life in a hospital room, looking after who I dearly refer to as my 'belay bitch'. He had emergency brain surgery ensuring a freak car accident. He is still convalescing, but he'll get better.

So it is not surprising that the dreaded Rock Castle Gorge Trail actually felt short and unchallenging. The mosaic of scenes I witnessed will remain unparalleled for some time though: blinding bright sun fighting off iced waterfalls, lots of water running in the gorge and scorched vegetation 2000 ft up in the grassy knolls, steep and narrow trail obliterated by mammoth rhododendron and overlooks with a 50-mile unobstructed view.

Of course, I am such a doofus, that I slipped crossing a creek and banged my right patella 'real bad' against a rock. Although it was hard to complete the last five miles of the hike with an ailing knee cap, I think I built some stamina that will come in handy when I go mountaineering this year.