Across Virginia

[Fiann]

I am planning to do a 3 week hike in Virginia this summer. If I start in Damascus, how far north could the average hiker make it in that time period. I realize there are a ton of variables here. Just looking for some input. Thanks!

[Lone Wolf]

somewhere around Catawba/Troutville

[rambunny]

If we can help,(hold a drop box,ect.) Let us know Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel-Atkins Va. 276-783-3754. I'm sure Lone Wolf can help with anything in Damascus.

[MileMonster]

Well, looking at http://www.aldha.org/companyn/va09.pdf here are some numbers:

100 miles to Walker Gap; 115 to Va 623 at Garden Mtn
163 to Pearisburg
200 miles to Va 602 at Rocky Gap
236 miles to Va 311 at Catawba
256 to US 220 at Cloverdale (one more mile to US 311 at Troutville)
300 miles to somewhere around MP 75 on the Blue Rideg Parkway
312 miles to US 501 at Big Island/Glasgow and James River Footbridge
334 to US 60 at Buena Vista
390 to US 250/I64 at Rockfish Gap / Waynesboro

If you hike every day,
10 mpd puts you somewhere around Rocky Gap / Catawba
15 mpd puts you somewhere around James River Footbridge
20 mpd could get you to Rockfish Gap

You can think about how much you want to hike each day, how many days to take off during the trip, and your fitness level. Not too many terrible climbs through there, imho, but a few - out of Pearisburg (town heavy), the Priest, Thunder Ridge. By Va, I'd guess the average thruhiker is motoring through here at probably 20+ mpd. Hopefully, there are some section hikers here on WB that started this section from the sofa that can chime in. I'd say between 10 and 15 mpd would be reasonable and fun. If you are thinking about Catawba go on to Cloverdale so you can see Dragon's Tooth. I guess this was a long way to say "What Wolf said."

Have fun.

- MM.

[TrippinBTM]

Well, 10 miles a day sounds pretty decent for a vacation. I'd plan for that. Anything over that would be a bonus. No sense killing yourself, if you don't have your trail legs.

[Nicksaari]

...second that. you could take as much time as you want. hell, it would take me three days just to get out of the highlands, cause its so GD pretty.
its a vacation. and im jealous

[Kerosene]

I'd shoot for the James River Footbridge for a 3-week section hike. Over the course of 3 section hikes, I covered Damascus to US-60/Buena Vista in 21 days, including a few partial days, which is about 22 miles further. You should easily be able to make it to Daleville/US-221, which is a lovely stretch of the AT.

[steve43]

last summer i hiked from pearisburg to damascus in 13 days. i took two neros in bland and atkins. averaged 13 mpd. not sure if this helps, but it may provide some reference.

this summer i'm hiking from james river to pearisburg, and thinking i'll probably take a day or two less.

fifo

[Fiann]

Thank you everyone, lots of helpful information!