Current Location: Pearisburg, VA
Miles Hiked: 636.1
Miles to go: 1,562.3
Percent of trail completed: 29%
Virginia holds more miles of the AT than any other state. 556 miles, almost a quarter of the trail, passes through Virginia.
Virginia also happens to be the state I currently call home. In fact, though I’ve moved around a lot, I’ve spent more of my adult life in Virginia than any other place (a cumulative of about 6 years).
I grew up backpacking, mostly on family weekend trips, but Virginia is where I came to backpacking as an adult in my early twenties. It’s also where I really fell in love with the AT. I’ve already hiked over 300 miles of the AT in Virginia. Most of those miles are in the northern half of the state, but as I’m making my way north I’m beginning to pass through some familiar sections.
Several days ago I camped at Chestnut Knob Shelter overlooking the Burke’s Garden geological formation. This campsite was where I camped on my very first backpacking trip in Virginia in 2010.
Two days later I passed through a section where I remembered meeting up with a friend in 2011 who was thru hiking that year. That weekend was my first encounter with thru hikers and I distinctly remember the feeling of knowing that I wanted to be one of them. I haven’t been able to shake that feeling in the 12 years since.
Now here I am, fulfilling the dream. Although I suppose technically I can’t call myself a thru hiker until I’ve actually completed the trail, at mile 636 I’m starting to feel pretty legit. My “trail legs” are coming in, meaning I have more horsepower on the climbs and can hike longer days.
My endurance is improving, but 50 days of hiking is taking its toll too. My legs are sore and my feet are very inflamed. My plantar fasciitis flares up most days making each step painful. An afternoon cocktail of ibuprofen, a caffeine pill, and a dose of strong willpower gets me through the day. So far that’s working.
Section Highlights
Crossing the TN/VA border 
Damascus, VA 
Wild ponies in Greyson Highlands 
Greyson Highlands 
Baby pony 
Crossing the 500 mile mark 
One quarter of the trail completed 
Morning fog 
Late season snow on May 1st 
Wow! What’s the best way to deal with chronic inflammation etc on the trail? A week off? More frequent “zero”/rest days? Keep moving but take shorter days? Or just keep popping caffeine pills and push through???
Good question. I guess should clarify that vitamin i and caffeine combo isn’t the only measure I’m taking. I generally take a full zero every 100 miles or so. I stretch and roll my feet daily, and ice them and/or soak them in creeks when I can. So far that has been enough to at least keep the pain from getting worse. If things do get worse, I will have to reassess.
I remember that 2011 weekend adventure where we met up with Fred “Sage” and the “Safety Crew” at least I think that was what they called their tramily. I also very much remember twisting my ankle ever so slightly and the swear words came pouring out and one of the guys gave me my trail name “Profanity”. There are a few others things I remember from that weekend as well. Stay safe K and don’t over do it. Take a zero or some neros as needed.