2021 Aug Section Hike Day 5- Thunder Hill Shelter to Jennings Creek Parking VA614

 Miles Hiked: 14

Date Hiked: 8-26-21

Total Miles Hiked on this Section: 50.6

Didn't waste any time getting started, heats up fast, and we have a swimming hole waiting on us at the end of the hike (and then a Hostel and a cheeseburger)

This was a pretty cool rock formation.  Trail goes right under the suspended rock. 

Moving quickly...we're eager to make it to the swimming hole. 

Avocado can always spot a critter on the ground. 

Orange critter is the technical term I think. 

Once again..I'm getting left behind...Avocado is eager to get to the swimming hole. 

We stopped at Bryant Ridge Shelter for a break and a snack. Making good time, should get to the end in plenty of time to cool off. 

Time to press on...we were booking down the trail. 

Not far to go....

A cold stream awaits. 

The view from a rock above the deep part where you can swim. 

And if it's too hot in the sun (it was) you can hide in the shade under the bridge. 

An Avocado in its natural habitat. 

What a great place to wait on your shuttle

       Stanimals Hostel in Glascow, VA picked us up, had towels to dry off and frozen popsicles in a cooler for our enjoyment on the ride to the Hostel. We'll spend the night there, grab some dinner, and drive home the next day. A great ending to a very challenging section hike. Not because of the terrain or miles...just the heat...it was hot, and water was in short supply. But we made it....another 50 miles complete. 

2021 Aug Section Hike Day 4- Campsite above Matt's Creek Shelter to Thunder Hill Shelter

Miles Hiked: 11.9

Date Hiked: 8-25-21

We broke camp early to try to beat the heat. Didn't work. We ran out of water and trudged up a climb hoping the next spring would be flowing. 

Pretty tame deer, we walked up rather close. 

Hiking in Central VA in July. Sweat, heat...climbs. This was not a fun day. 

Thankfully, it was flowing well, in a shady spot and cold. We sucked down lots of water, ate a snack and recovered. 

My zpacks Nero can carry a surprising amount of water. 2L bags in each side pocket, plus whatever I stick on the front and back. I have a pocket on the right that holds a 1L Smartwater bottle and a smaller pocket for a 16-20 soda bottle on the left.  The next shelter has a spring, but comments on my trail app make it sound like it may not have water. So I carried as much as I could. Yay..more weight for the climbs. 

Avocado taking a break at the spring to recover before continuing the climb. Tough day in the heat. 

Still Climbing

We made it to an overlook with a big rainstorm threatening in the distance. Ended up getting rained on a bit, but it was so hot there was no point in getting out the rain jackets. 

A forest service employee stopped by so we asked him to get our picture on the overlook. 

We made it to the shelter, finally. Shortly after arriving the hostel owner we had called to pick us up tomorrow  hiked in with some water and cold treat for us. Incredible. Especially helpful since the spring was dry at this shelter. 

Muscle spasm...my fingers were stuck like this for a bit. I usually get some kind of muscle cramps on day 2-3 of these hikes, first time it was in my hand. Normally in my legs or belly. 

The shelter had a bear box, which made things much easier. No finding the perfect limb and hanging our food, just chuck it in the box. Love these things...really a great convenience when in bear country. 

 

I climbed in my hammock early to escape the bugs and to hopefully cool off. Hot, sweaty, dirty and ready to be done with this hike. 

2021 Aug Section Hike Day 3- Punchbowl Shelter to Campsite above Matt's Creek Shelter

Original Date of hike 8-24-2021 

Miles Hiked: 13.4

Temperature: July in Central Va - Too Hot

We packed up and headed out from the buggy campsite. 

    Rewarded with a nice view and cell signal. Called home and chatted for a few minutes. 

Right after I called home, we came upon this plaque with the story of a little boy who died up here. Very sad. 

This is a trail?

More views. You can see the humidity in the air, going to be a hot day. 

Never one to pass up a good sitting log, Avocado takes a snack break. I wasn't feeling too good at this point, summery hiking really takes it out of you. 

More views. 

Panoramic View

Nice stretch of trail along a stream. Also a nice break from climbing. 

Avocado pushed ahead and started to cross the James River Bridge

A long footbridge for the AT. 

Still alive..and baking in the sun

The day was really getting hot. We found a water hole to cool off before we arrived at our campsite. 

A little snack at Matt's Creek Shelter

Nice shelter, but we decided to do one more climb to set us up for tomorrow. Also, there's a nice campsite at the top according to Guthook. 

Nice Campsite indeed. We got setup before sunset. 

In my hammock and ready to sleep. Watching the sun go down.  A tough day of hiking in the heat, but it was nice too cool off in Matt's Creek and now we're up on a ridge with a good view and cell service.