Day 35 - Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Today is going to be another great day for hiking; bright sunny skies and favorable temperatures in the 60’s.  

We are continuing from  Bearwallow Gap, VA 43 (751.9 NoBo) to Blackhorse Gap (743.9 NoBo) for a total of  8.0 miles.... a near “Nero” test for my tendinitis which is better. 

We began hiking at 9:50 am. The temperature  was already 47°. 



Jim stayed up late watching the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.  He doesn’t do well if he doesn’t get his beauty sleep 🥴. Actually we met this gentleman first thing on the trail. He is 74 years old completing a solo section hike to Bear’s Den (1005.5 NoBo) to attend his daughters graduation. He was a Vietnam Navy Fighter Pilot, flying his last combat mission April 5, 1973. His trail name is “Intruder” for the type of fighter plane he flew.


        Grumman A-6 Intruder

We shook his hand told him thank you to him and to all the brave Americans that have fought for our Freedom which allows us to do the things we are able to do... like hiking the Appalachian Trail. Thank you for your service “Intruder” 🇺🇸 !






Views from Taylor Mountain Overlook.





Jim’s always adjusting his shoes. I personally think he makes this up to take a break 🤔.



Someone can’t read or doesn’t think it applies to them?




Looking back at a section of the trail we just negotiated.




The AT and Mid-Atlantic states are rich in history. 



Overlooking Harvey’s Knob.



Views from Peaks of Otter Overlook.  



Mills Gap Overlook.

We finished hiking at 2 pm. Initially we thought we would do a short segment in the morning before the rain started. Looking at the forecast it will begin raining early morning. With that in mind we decided to continue hiking and do that  “Nero” today. 

After we moved the cars it was 3:15 pm when we resumed hiking. It was a pleasant day to hike which made our decision to continue easier. 



We saw our first real snake today sunning itself in the trail- 4 ft black rat snake. They can be very aggressive but are non-venomous. 


Crossing Curry Creek. 


Final ascent of the day... 700 ft over .7 mile. 

We finished hiking at 6:15 pm.  So much for an easy day. We continued from where we left off at Blackhorse Gap (743.9 NoBo) and hiked to Salt Pond Road (738.1 NoBo) equaling another 5.8 miles and a days total of 13.8 miles. Plus we then had to walk approximately 1.25 miles from the AT at Salt Pond Road back to the Blue Ridge Parkway where the truck was parked as this part of Salt Pond Road is not open to the public. 

Till next time... Happy Hiking  🥾 

😋

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