We went to the Grayson Highlands/Mt Rogers area. He did great and had a good time. I made sure he had a light pack and we went at this pace. He can now handle a JetBoil, hang a bear bag, lick a bowl, and has gained some trail wisdom. There were a lot of foals with the ponies. Rhododendron were past bloom and the blueberries are still very green and early in the fruit stage. Water was flowing well at the Thomas Knob shelter (liter fill in about 20 seconds) and there is a nice gutter on it for a nice flow. We saw an adult bear just above the gate area where you leave the state park and start heading uphill.