Troll's 2010 AT Journal

23 May 2010, Bland
We got shuttled to slack pack south from VA 606 and started hiking around 8 am. Our first stretch was over Kimberling Creek which was a narrow one person suspension bridge. I went across first and Ben (Hoppers dog) came after me. I started swaying the bridge just a little and Ben started walking funny to keep his balance. We both had a good laugh at Ben.

We start out slow on the up hills because Hopper was feeling weasy on the up hills. When we got ...

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22 May 2010, Bland
I was going to slack pack the 6.9 miles today from VA 615 to US 21/52 but the person that I was going to get to slack pack me did not show up until late this afternoon. When he did show up it was raining. I decide to do it the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow we are going to slack pack south 18.6 miles from VA 606 back to Bland. This will give us a chance to see if Hopper is feeling good enough to get back on the trail.

I got a good laugh today watching ...

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21 May 2010, Bland

Zero day today.

20 May, Laurel Creek/VA 615
My sister’s birthday is today. Happy birthday Karen, I love you.

I really dreaded the start today because the first thing I had to do was a climb. I was dragging butt and I think that was because I went to bed without a good dinner last night. I also fell asleep with my iPod on last night and used up all the battery life I had in it. That means I had no music to motivate me today.

The two miles before Chestnut Knob Shelter ...

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19 May 2010, USFS 222
I ate breakfast and got on the trail at about 8:30 this morning. I had to do part of the same section over I did yesterday, I was able to walk back on the road to where we walked out yesterday but I really don't think that saved me any mileage.

I ran into to section hikers today and when I told them I was from Maine they said there was a woman thru hiking from Maine also not too far in front of me. That had me wondering and I picked up my pace ...

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