McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 10/25/2024 | AT Mile 1412.0 | Day Total: 12.7 miles | Gain: 2097 ft

Woke up and grabbed my food from the bear hang. The “flip flopper” (I believe he’s homeless living in the shelter) started talked with me over by my tent. He talked with me the whole time I ate some of my breakfast and packed.

Once away from the shelter I climbed up to Bluff Mountain where I finished the rest of my breakfast and a protein bar. The view was marvelous.

I had a large descent down to Fullers Rocks and spotted a weird moth looking bug on a branch. I later looked it up and it was a Hemileuca. Glad I didn’t touch it because it stings.

Fullers Rock was cool because I could see the James River Bridge that I would hitch into Glasgow from.

I only have 10 miles into town today which is nice. I’ll be meeting Megan and Seth this evening. I’ll get cleaned up beforehand.

The descent, while 3000ft, was cruzy because of all the switchbacks. Once I was down I had a mile or two of flat walking alongside the creek.

I arrived at the parking lot around 1. There’s no service here so I’m going to hitch into town. It was 30min before I got a ride. While I attempted to get a hitch a train passed by over the river. Soon after a large van was pulling out of the street across the road. He waved me over at the stop sign. I noticed the big AT symbol on the hood of the van and figured he would be a safe ride.

Onesimus was the drivers trail name. He thru hiked in 2003 and has been traveling along the trail for years since. Glasgow is a short 10 minute drive down the windy road.

He dropped me off at the gas station in town and I headed over to the hiker shelter in town. It’s got a hot shower and power. I went over to dollar general afterword and resupplied. There’s a pavilion across the street at a park where I organized my food.

I got a bar of soap from the store and went back over to the shelter for a shower. Afterword I headed over to the laundromat. Megan and Seth are arriving around 7 which is perfect so I can grab a good dinner from the local Italian restaurant.

I meet another sobo hiker out front of the Italian place. We talked briefly and he’s staying at Stanimals just down the street. I ordered a meatball sub and fries and walked over to the pavilion.

Megan and Seth will be here shortly. 7:10 rolled around and Megan and Seth pulled up! Whoooo! I reloaded with some stuff they brought including new shoes. My last pair lasted 1000 miles, crazy!

After some final packing we drove out of town to the trailhead. I dropped 2 days of food off in the car because I’ll come back with them on Sunday.

We took a few pictures in the dark at the car. Took a few tries but we got a successful one.

We walked across the bridge and along the river 2 miles to the shelter. To my surprise there’s nobody here tonight. I figured since it’s a Friday there would be a few more here.

We settled in and unpacked our bags. I’m sleeping on some camp chairs tonight… somebody’s missing there sleeping pad!

Late night tonight, I’m wrapping up this journal around 10:30. Lots of conversation tonight. It’s nice to having company.