I was looking at journal photos last night and came across a hikers parade/festival kind of thing, last May in Virginia I believe. Is this a yearly event and when and where please? My daughter and I are starting in Hampton Tennessee and will be hiking 9 days and I can change our dates a little one way or the other to hit an AT celebration. Thanks in advance.
Miriam
…you’ll be hiking some of the prettiest sections of trail here!..trail days will definitely give you a taste of the hiker life’…ALDHA represents there…and there are many other hiker gatherings , reunions, events, etc!..it’s lots of fun (even beyond the parade!)…but i’ll also suggest another ‘hiker must’, and that’s the kincora hostel in dennis cove! (if you’ve never experienced it)…bob peoples is a wonderful, fun host and you will enjoy your stay there (there should be lots of hikers that time of year, also on their way to trail days!..lots of good stories!..bring along a little ‘magic’ to share if you’re able! ;>P )
here are a couple of thoughts for your hike…for 9 or 10 days you could easily cover (10 miles per day?) the section from the thomas knob shelter SOUTHBOUND to kincora (not counting the couple of days you may want to ‘settle in’ at trail days)…i think this section would really lend itself to a southbound direction (although i’ve always hiked it northward)…it’s actually not a difficult section, except for a couple of climbs i can think of going north…turn your hike ‘around’, and you’ve licked that little ‘problem’…the area around thomas knob and over whitetop mtn and back down to damascus over the virginia creeper trail is BEE_U_TEE_FUL!..(you could even ride bikes into damascus if you wanted…the shuttles will meet you at whitetop with bikes!)…and then, after trail days, continue sobo on to kincora (that way you’re going DOWN pond mountain!..however, it IS a gradual climb then out of damascus (which most nobos find very easy along their northward, gentle descent into damascus…if you have a copy of the ‘thru-hikers companion’ it will show your elevations and you’ll see what i mean…
sorry this is a little long…there are lots of ways to experience a hike…and this is just one way…whatever you decide, roll with any punches and ENJOY your time with hikers as well as with the mountains!
maw-ee
Maw-ee, I told my daughter of your idea of hiking south and why and she agreed. I am glad that you took the time to tell us. She came to visit and we looked over the gear I have purchased so far and we did some walking. Only 2 miles at a time but it is a start right? I simply can’t wait.
Miriam