Kerosene
05-19-2007, 17:13
After 23 years with the same company I just resigned to take a new job. It looks like I'll be able to squeeze in 5-6 days in southern Virginia, SOBO from Atkins to Damascus or maybe Shady Valley (75 and 90 miles respectively). Even better, I'm planning to do the 30-mile Mt. Rogers section again with my daughter in mid-August.
I know that the rule-of-thumb is for NOBO thru-hikers to keep their winter gear until Pearisburg, so I plan to bring my 20-degree bag and cool-weather gear for the early June trip unless someone thinks I can get away with my 32-degree bag. What would folks recommend for mid-August?
Also, I'd like to re-supply somewhere between Atkins and Damascus. The logical place is Troutdale, but given the short time I have I'd rather not spend half a day getting into town and back. I will have a car, so I could cache a food bag somewhere if the trees are sufficiently thick near some road crossing. Can anyone recommend one place over another?
I know that the rule-of-thumb is for NOBO thru-hikers to keep their winter gear until Pearisburg, so I plan to bring my 20-degree bag and cool-weather gear for the early June trip unless someone thinks I can get away with my 32-degree bag. What would folks recommend for mid-August?
Also, I'd like to re-supply somewhere between Atkins and Damascus. The logical place is Troutdale, but given the short time I have I'd rather not spend half a day getting into town and back. I will have a car, so I could cache a food bag somewhere if the trees are sufficiently thick near some road crossing. Can anyone recommend one place over another?