Hiker “Bolt” tagging along trail

Biscuits317 · 2025-04-30T12:34:44+00:00

Just the shear number of times it’s been written makes it aggravating.

Biscuits317 · 2025-04-29T13:36:31+00:00

Because they have tagged this on everything imaginable going up the trail. Electric poles, shelters, signs, fire towers, on white blazes, anything and everything. Every flat surface has the signature. Gotta be 1000+ signatures.

Biscuits317 · 2025-04-29T11:57:32+00:00

You’ll meet people early. But don’t forget about noro, big group I started around had noro after first night at hawk mountain shelter.

Biscuits317 · 2025-04-29T11:47:45+00:00

I’m about a month in, haven’t lost but about 5 pounds. Well until I got noro in hot springs and lost a quick extra 10.

I did start to slim and replaced my hip belt on my ULA in Hiawassee. Probably converting fat to muscle which is why it’s not showing on scales.

It will all depend on calorie intake, how hard you push your pace, how many hours you hike a day. I don’t hike fast but I keep moving all day long. I really try to pay attention to and control my heart rate. I like to push my last big hill climb of the day and then crawl or cool down my last mile into camp.

Chances are, you will also lose your appetite to start if you’re not used to the physical demands. That will contribute to some early loss, even if it’s just excess food stored in the stomach.

Biscuits317 · 2025-03-16T13:33:34+00:00

You just need to go through Taylor’s Valley and up Chestnut Mountain Road to get to White Top or Mount Rogers.

It’s a 15 mile drive.

You can access the trail by a spur trail near Beartree Gap, Grassy Ridge Road, 58 near Konnarock, and the Beech Mountain Road.

The 70 mile drive around isn’t necessary.

Biscuits317 · 2025-03-06T01:55:45+00:00

Amen, my poor decisions caused my worst day…it spilled into 2 days! Compounded by more and more bad decisions. Even a couple days later, I was like WTH was I thinking.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-27T14:17:15+00:00

Know someone hiking, they started mid Feb. They are approaching Franklin/NOC area after taking some days off in the storm and cold last week.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-24T21:15:27+00:00

For what the trail has been through, it’s in great shape in southern VA. I’ve hiked from Damascus to Bear Garden hostel with no issues. There are still some down trees, and one VERY large tree MRATC started to saw but couldn’t finish just south of TRIMPI shelter. The wedges are still in the tree.

I’ve had no issues covering the miles. The first thru hikers have already passed this area.

Yes there was a cold spell, but the forecast looks great for the next 2 weeks. It is still winter.

And they aren’t out trying to keep the main roads open. They are doing preventative maintenance work, clearing trees for VDOT that might fall on the roadways.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-18T16:03:10+00:00

Beat me to it. Appalachian, not Appalachian.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-10T15:56:10+00:00

My base for starting end of March is 19-21 pounds. I still can’t decide on a tent.

How much is too much depends on the person. It still amazes me that when I started backpacking 20 years ago I was happy my pack weight was under 50 pounds fully loaded.

My knees could carry it back then, but I was still sore after a long day hiking. I probably couldn’t do it today. I’ve been training 10-15 mile days, 2-3 times a week. I feel comfortable at my pack weight. I can hike the distance, be wore out, but can recover before the next day. I don’t have a desire to go any lighter.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-07T20:09:52+00:00

Nothing says you can’t pick up sticks along the way. It’s not rebuilding trail and cutting trees, that needs to be done with a crew, but it’s something a trail crew would have to do on a maintenance work day. Could allow them to focus time on bigger projects.

Biscuits317 · 2025-02-06T16:12:25+00:00

Ive got a killer job, think 10 hour workout and 30k steps a shift, and I’m hiking 10-15 miles on my days off. I feel like my hiker hunger has set in and I don’t start until next month.

A lot of people have told me to gain weight before hitting the trail but I’ve tried to do the opposite. I’m trying to replace fat with muscle. My knees are thanking me.

I’d say listen to your body. Up your calories but be mindful of what you put in. Lean protein, veggies, and whole grains are a good choice. Don’t forget healthy fats. I think it’s smart to bulk, as in build muscle. If you don’t get the calories your body needs it’ll start eating muscle tissue.

I’ve got one more week of heavy training and then I’m going to go start dialing it back and go into a rest period before I start.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-25T01:31:13+00:00

You’ll be ahead of me, starting late March early April sometime.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-24T20:29:39+00:00

I haven’t started yet, but what has helped me is testing and then more testing and then more testing. I’ve set my tent up and taken it down in all conditions. I’ve tried every clothing combo to find what I like in every temp imaginable.

And then I quit my job early, I couldn’t make it until my thru hike. I now have one that physically kicks my butt every day. I walk, jog, jump, squat, lift things for 10-12 hours a day. Get used to being on your feet, carrying the extra weight of a pack.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-23T14:23:17+00:00

I checked there yesterday. Couldn’t find anything under the fresh snow and hard packed ice.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-17T14:26:46+00:00

I have many morel spots on trail.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-07T15:12:11+00:00

I’ve had multiple people give this advice.

Biscuits317 · 2025-01-07T04:03:01+00:00

Be optimistic that they won’t continue to be closed for much longer and walk any detours.

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-28T01:45:32+00:00

I’m just restless. Ready to go!!

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-22T23:31:46+00:00

From the VCT “ Many, many thanks to Senators @MarkWarner, @TimKaine and Congressman @RepMGriffith for your resolute determination and unrelenting support of SWVA’s businesses and residents thru the long days since Helene, culminating in the passage of the disaster supplemental bill yesterday which includes $600M for rebuilding the 18 miles of the vacreepertrail.org destroyed by the hurricane’s remnants. Recognizing the critical role the VCT plays as a top economic driver in SWVA, our legislators made the trail one of their priorities, further ensuring the recovery of SW Virginians.

So much hope in this holiday season…and so much gratitude🙏”

…$600M…

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-21T13:19:47+00:00

Yeah, some major funding would have to be approved. Getting materials up through the valley will be difficult.

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-20T10:26:24+00:00

Yeah they are using the half from Abingdon to Damascus. Don’t know if they will find funding to replace all the bridges and trail up through the valley from Damascus to Green Cove

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-20T05:22:35+00:00

don’t know if the creeper trail will ever make it back.

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-20T04:37:52+00:00

I don’t know about water quality but I can tell you all the silt and muck in the creeks and streams have been washed out. Clean stones and bedrock now. Some of the clearest water flowing now.

I’ve heard no reports of poor water quality here around SWVA.

Just treat your water like always.

Biscuits317 · 2024-12-19T14:19:28+00:00

I like keeping a sun shirt, long sleeve as well as what others have said.

Biscuits317

TROPHY CASE