Pearisburg-to-VA 42, Nov 19-22, 2010

[Rain Man]

Let's go hike 40 miles on the Appalachian Trail in southwest Virginia! This will be another section hike, from Pearisburg to VA 42. Very similar itinerary to my last two AT hikes. The total distance is a little shorter, but we have three big climbs instead of just one.

Expect few leaves on trees, which means lots of views and vistas; crisp air and possible snow/ice; short daylight hours; beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Hunting season (wear plenty of blaze orange!).

Tentative itinerary:

Friday drive over to Pearisburg and hike either 4.2 miles to a campsite and spring or 6.8 miles to the first shelter, Rice Field Shelter. Either includes the 1,500' climb from the New River up Peters Mountain.

Saturday either 15.1 miles or 12.5 miles (depending on first day) to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. No big climbs. (We might go further if we are doing well, like last time.)

Sunday 12.7 miles to War Spur Shelter. One big climb of 1,250'. (Again, if we are doing well, we might go further, so Monday would be a shorter day.)

Monday 8.2 miles out to VA 42 in Sinking Creek Valley. One big climb of 1,600'. Grab lunch locally and drive home to Nashville.

Questions? Suggestions?

Rain Man

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[John B]

What time are you planning to start on Friday? Leave cars at the Rendezvous Motel? Have arrangements been made to shuttle back from Sinking Creek to Pearisburg? Is it in the middle of gun season for deer? Two years ago I did a hike in November and in places it sounded like being in the middle of a gun fight. Creepy.

[Rain Man]

What time are you planning to start on Friday? Leave cars at the Rendezvous Motel? Have arrangements been made to shuttle back from Sinking Creek to Pearisburg? Is it in the middle of gun season for deer? Two years ago I did a hike in November and in places it sounded like being in the middle of a gun fight. Creepy.

Last hike we started at 3:30 and we did our own vehicle shuttling. The shuttling usually falls into place closer to the hike date, as that's when we know who's going and what vehicles there will be. So, no definite answer for you on shuttling just yet or exactly where cars will be (but the Rendezvous is a good bet).

There is a good local shuttler in Pearisburg (Don "Rat Face" Raines). I've spoken with him in the past and will use him this time as needed. He's a WBer (ratfaceraines).

And yes, I think it will be hunting season, thus my suggestion for lots of blaze orange.

Are you interested in going with us or just commenting?

RainMan

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[John B]

Very interested. I'll send a PM

[Cookerhiker]

Rain Man, I just sent you a PM about this.

[Rain Man]

Rain Man, I just sent you a PM about this.

Got it. And just for general info, right now we have 6 hikers from Nashville signed up, all of whom have hiked together the last two hikes the last two months. Plus we have one from PA and if you come, one from KY. That's 8. Last time we had 9, which was almost too many.

The weather forecast is fantastic so far.

RainMan

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[Big Dawg]

I'm not able to join you on this hike, but just curious if this is a sporadic fun hike, or are you section hiking the AT, and are up to this point on the trail?

[Rain Man]

I'm not able to join you on this hike, but just curious if this is a sporadic fun hike, or are you section hiking the AT, and are up to this point on the trail?

Yes, I'm section hiking the trail, at least so long as I'm still having fun at it. This weekend I will cross the 900-mile mark for myself. Started in '03 when my middle daughter announced she wanted to hike the AT and we did Springer-to-Neels Gap for practice for her. I loved it and have kept going since.

Once I complete the next section (VA 42-to-Daleville), I'll be done with GA-to-Front Royal, VA, plus Katahdin itself, which I did in '04 when I picked up my daughter in Maine.

RainMan

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[Big Dawg]

Yes, I'm section hiking the trail, at least so long as I'm still having fun at it. This weekend I will cross the 900-mile mark for myself. Started in '03 when my middle daughter announced she wanted to hike the AT and we did Springer-to-Neels Gap for practice for her. I loved it and have kept going since.

Once I complete the next section (VA 42-to-Daleville), I'll be done with GA-to-Front Royal, VA, plus Katahdin itself, which I did in '04 when I picked up my daughter in Maine.

RainMan

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Awesome! Based on your upcoming section, I thought we were possibly near the same point, but it seems you've got miles completed north of 42.

You've been able to hike more than me. I started in 2000, and have only made it to Woods Hole Hostel. Well, I did summit Katahdin w/ my friend when he thru'd in 07. I need to get the move on, b/c I'm currently on the 35 to 40 year plan, and that ain't gonna to cut it. I'd rather not be in my 70's when i finish.

Anywho, enjoy your upcoming section, and maybe we'll get a chance to hike together someday!

[Turtle2]

Enjoy your hike! Stay warm and enjoy the hot cocoa and tea around a fire!

[Rain Man]

Enjoy your hike! Stay warm and enjoy the hot cocoa and tea around a fire!

We will. The weather forecast is AWESOME for this time of year up there. Sunny, sunny, sunny, no freezing temps. I'm psyched!

We plan to roast brats over the campfire one night and do camp fire pizza another night. YUMMY!

See what you're missing with all the excuses you come up with not to hike with me?!

RainMan

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[drifter]

I sectioned Va 623 thru Pearisburg up to Wind Rock two weeks ago and had a great time and great weather. Water was a bit scarce in a couple places so you may want to get an update from Rat Face before you start out. Enjoy!

[JEBjr]

Stayed at War Spur a few weeks ago. Plenty of water can be found about 25 yards North of the shelter on the AT. Enjoy your trip!

[Hikerhead]

I may show up at your campsite Sat night. Don't shoot me if I do, I'm just a hiker.

[tawa]

Sounds like fun. I just did that section after attending the ALDHA Conference last month. I was hiking solo but did meet a few folks on the trail. Some beautiful views and overall nice trail. Water was a little scarce in the middle of what you have planned but nothing critical.
Stayed at Woods Hole at had a friend (Woodchuck) drive me up and drop me off on the AT up near Mountain Lake and then hiked back to Perisburg and then back to Woods Hole.
On the way back to Indiana took a side trip and drove up to Montibello and stayed at the hostel/B&B up there. Great folks at both places.
Hope you have a fantastic hike and as always be safe.

[thecaptain]

Rainman...the captain here.....on ur hike from p'burg to 42 on saturday you can walk 1 1/2 miles past pineswamp shelter Look for the captain's sign ride the zipline across the creek to my yard and camp there...

[JEBjr]

Captain's yard is much better suited for camping, than the area arond the Pine Swamp shelter. All those dead tree around the shelter kind of scare me.

[Rain Man]

I may show up at your campsite Sat night. Don't shoot me if I do, I'm just a hiker.

That would be great, but we have revised our intended itinerary, as follows:

Friday - hike 6.8 miles to Rice Field Shelter.
Saturday - hike 16.4 miles Bailey Gap Shelter.
Sunday - hike 14.6 miles to Laurel Creek Shelter.
Monday - hike 2.4 miles to VA 42.

Would love to see you again, HH!

RainMan

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[Rain Man]

Rainman...the captain here.....on ur hike from p'burg to 42 on saturday you can walk 1 1/2 miles past pineswamp shelter Look for the captain's sign ride the zipline across the creek to my yard and camp there...

Hey Captain! Would love to zip across the creek and visit just a bit, if you're home.

Rain Man

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[Rain Man]

On the way back to Indiana took a side trip and drove up to Montibello and stayed at the hostel/B&B up there. Great folks at both places.
Hope you have a fantastic hike and as always be safe.

Ahhh... the Dutch Haus! Yes, I stayed there on my section hike up there. GREAT place, as is Wood's Hole. There are lots of really good hostels all along the AT.

Rain Man

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