April 22 - 15.8 / 479.3

I meant to mention that I bought a kilt yesterday. Yes a kilt and not a skirt! It is made by Mountain Hardwear. I tried it out today sans anything underneath. It was definitely an experience, but I think I might get some compression shorts to wear with them.

My new buckle broke this morning as I was packing up this morning. I went back to the outfitter to get another one. Jeff, the guy working there was cool and didn't charge me again. However, I gave him 5 dollars for the two buckles and the mattress patch. He kept telling me I didn't have to give him anything, but I felt like I had to give hime something. We spoke for a little bit more about the kilts. He ended up being really cool to talk to.

I headed out fairly late in the morning. The trail wasn't too bad. However, I wish the trail would have been along the Virginia Creeper Trail. The VC is an old railroad bed that follows a river. I could look down from the AT and see people walking and riding their bikes. I want to come back at a future date and hike or ride along the VC. Some people actually did hike the VC as it meets back up with the AT about 12 miles down the way. They said they stopped in a small town which had a deli and some ice cream. It wouls take a lot for me to skip that much of the AT and still say I hiked it. That is the difference between a purest thru hiker and not. There are some other things such as slack packing too.

The shelter that night was really nice. I think we had about 10 people it in with room to spare. There were probably 10 to 15 more tenting or in their hammock. The whole gang was there less DS and SS. DS stayed in Damascus waiting on a package and to rest some blisters. SS is still a few days back as he is meeting his parents in Damascus on Friday.

Also at the shelter were Ringleader, Lightning, and Money. They go by The Circus and are actually making a documentary as they hike. I have not been interviewed, but I did get in some footage as I walked across a bridge.