April 27 - 19 / 571.8

I think to replace the lack of mountains in Virginia, the AT gods have placed every rock in the state on the trail. VA is known for being "flat" when compared to the rest of the trail. However, the rocks are every where. They are big, small, sharp, flat, round, stable, wobbly, etc. and they kill my feet. I'd rather hike up and down steep mountains than cross over rock fields on a ridge line. Ok, I am done complaining (for now).

I didn't want to get out of my tent this morning even after hearing people stirring around at 6. I made it out around 7:30, but no one else from our group was moving. I went ahead and started to pack up and eat breakfast. I spoke with the Oak Ridge men as they were packing too. They were only planning to do 10 miles today. Well, I say only, but that is 10 more miles than most Americans.

I rolled out of camp around 9, and don't think the others got out of there until an hour or so later. The first 4 or so miles were pretty easy. Then the next 5 miles were uphill to the top of Chestnut Ridge. A shelter sits on the top of the ridge over looking "God's Thumbprint." The shelter is a former fire warden's cabin. It was perfect for today as the weather was cold and rainy. The cabin gave full protection from the elements during lunch. Young One and Donner were also there but left shortly after I arrived. I got a chance to call my brother during lunch to tell him happy birthday. We also spent some time just catching up. I didn't want to leave the shelter cause I was so cold. TW arrived, and I spoke with her for a few minutes and then left. As I walked out of the cabin I realized it wasn't raining anymore. It was now snowing! With my rain gear on, I headed on.

A side note, "God's Thumbprint" is really known as Burkes Garden. It gets its name due to its crater shape and being surrounded on all side by a ridge. It was the Vanderbilts' first choice for the Biltmore estate before they settled on th current location near Asheville. Honestly, I think they made the right decision.

I was coming down the ridge when I came across a lady hiking southbound. She instantly started to complain about the weather. A part of me wanted to tell her to be quiet cause I had been hiking across an exposed ridge for the last 2 hours in the same weather and at almost 1,500 feet higher in elevation. I let her complain though. She said that she had seen a girl hiking in shorts and a short sleeve shirt and looked to be hypothermic. Instantly my head kicked into Wilderness First Responder mode. I thought that this was going to be the first chance to be able to use my training. I started to ask questions about the situation, but she said she had passed the girl hours ago. I figured if she was in trouble then I probably wouldn't see her until the next shelter.

I continued to hike down from the ridge. I probably fell a good five or six times. I was ready for the day to be over with. Cold and wet I made it to the shelter. I instantly put on dry clothes and claimed a spot in the shelter. I got in my sleeping bag to warm up and snacked for a little bit. Eventually I made some dinner. All the rest of the gang arrived by the time I had finished dinner. I tried to finish this blog last night, but only got half way through.

Wrapping up, I want to say I have the coolest, smartest, most fun nephew. He is about 2.5. When my sister or parents ask him, "Where is Brian?"...he responds with, "On the mountain." How awesome is that. I can't wait to see him and the rest of my family in a few weeks.