Side Trails: A Few Digressions

If you have never read any of Frank Delaney's novels, then you are  missing out on some excellent contemporary literature, especially, if you are like me and have some Irish roots (how could I not with a name like Micks?).  In this novel the protaganist, Ben MacCarthy, tells the story of his encounter with Venetia Kelly and as he tells the story in hindsight he digresses.  Delaney uses this device extremely well to point out a particular bit of Irish culture or history among other things that stream-of-consciousness presents.  Ben explains at the outset of the story that he will communication the significance of these digressions ahead of time, meaning that he will describe them as important, or not so much before he regales the listener (as if one would elect to skip that part if it did not pique her interest).  I like this device so well that I plan to call my digressions side trails so beware of them; these are not necessarily accounts of AT hiking experience present (maybe past) but are more likely to be other types of journeys made over the course of my 60+ years, some of which are important and others not so much; you be the judge. 

Speaking of reading, which I relish to a fault (the reading not the speaking), if you are interested in social networking for readers check out http://www.goodreads.com/.  Need to keep track of books you want to read or have read or are currently reading, post reviews of books for "friends" and others, create your own bookshelves, connect with interesting authors, see a million lists of books in every possible genre and find books as fast as you can say "Amazon dot com", this is the site for you.  I have found it exceedingly useful and enjoyable.  When asked how I plan to spend my increase in discretionary time in retirement, I say that I am looking forward to doing more of what I enjoy now.  What is that?  Check out my profile.

New Trail: Dripping Rock (BRP) to Rt. 56, Tye River

Date: April 18, 2011

Where: near Waynesboro, VA and Wintergreen Resort
Weather: Mostly sunny, 70F midday, breezy

Length: 15.4 m

Elevation change: Dripping Rock - 2940, Three Ridges Summit - 3900, Tye River - 1000

Duration: 7 h

Left Orange early morn headed for the trailhead car park just west of Tyro, VA on Rt. 56.  Since I do not want to backtrack in my hiking my plan was to hitch a ride up 56 to the parkway and then north to Dripping Rock.  I waited about 30 minutes for my first ride with Pierre who took me up a couple of miles; many folks were coming off the mountain but not many going up.  Wilton picked me up and was good for another mile or so; he dropped me near a junkyard like widening in the road.  There I waited for another 30 minutes with the local gnat-like bugs for my angels to show.

Steve and Jess picked me up and off we went to Crabtree Falls to see the water just pouring off the mountain from the recent deluge; then up 56 to the parkway.  Which way, north or south?  North.  Hey we're going that way.  They took me all the way to Dripping Rock.  That's why they are called angels.  Good old boys willing to do any stranger a favor and chat it up though they had a busy day ahead, I least that's what Steve said.

Now the clock says 10:30 and I have some serious hiking to do.  Relatively flat for the first 4 miles to the Three Ridges Overlook along the AT.  The ubiquitious white blaze comforting all the way.  Made good time.  This is a shake-down hike since it has been awhile.  I wanted to check out my gear and particulary see how my boots and feet fared.  Love those trekking poles and my hydration system (fancy water bottle).  Little foliage so expansive views abounded.

I expect I will do much of my hiking in cooler climes when safe to avoid bugs and to catch better views.  But any AT hiker will tell you that you just have to get used to the many miles that are tree-covered, foliage rich and view-less.  It ended up being a warmer day than I expected, but the breeze brought welcome relief.

Trilium were in abundance as well as some other species of wildflowers and the fiddle-heads of ferns were making their appearance.  Due to significant rain on Saturday the springs and streams were full.  Made for viewing and listening pleasure.  Took a brief rest at Three Ridges Overlook before the ascent.  The trail goes over three ridges as the name suggests; getting a walking rest in the saddles between them proved necessary - thanks to the trail designers.

 Reaching the final summit was challenging and rewarding; I wondered if my pre-hike walking regimen would pay off.  It did.  There were few folks out hiking; two thru-hikers, a long weekender, and a looper all with full pack for overnight; a couple of day hikers and no fauna other than some birds.  I made a point a speaking to all and sharing a bit if they had a moment to spare.  With a remaining 7 miles to the Tye River, the terrain was basically all downhill from 3900 feet down to 1000.  Lots of rock scrabble and switchbacks.  I really love those trekking poles.

So, hearing the rush of the Tye River (and not all those streams) and walking across the suspection bridge were a welcome end.  I was probably a bit over-zealous in my first outing in a while.  Feet got warm in those leather boots.  Oh, how I remember how my feet felt after Win and I hiked 120 miles at Philmont some years ago.  Given, I am somewhat of a tenderfoot at the moment since I have not been hiking like this regularly and recently (the dogs will toughen) I will be considering what the latest technology has to offer.

So, all-in-all, a good trip for my first time on the trail in a while.  Met some interesting folk, saw some marvelous views, tried out some new gear and made it back to Orange safely.  I plan some more training hikes and overnights with a bigger pack load within Virginia for this spring and summer. 

I did have a few anxious moments wondering if someone was really going to pick me up and if I started too late would I finish well. I also learned that I am a bit OCD about those white trail blazes.  A couple of times the trail became rocky and indistinct  with no blazes visible and those were the times when I really wanted to see one to make sure I was not headed off trail.  I remembered a wise person once saying just turn around and look back down the trail and sure enough there was just what I was looking for - guidance in the wilderness even in hindsight.  Reminds me of other life-journeys I have been on and discovering where the guidance came from on those treks in reflection some time later.

Where to Begin?

After a 32 year engineering career and an 8 year teaching stint, retirement looms large this June.  My scouting experiences (Eagle Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster, Philmont trip with son) and small town, rural life as a youth have fostered a love of the out-of-doors, in particular hiking and backpacking.  Like many before me I have dreamed of having the time and flexibility of schedule that would allow some extended hiking and, of course, being in the East near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the AT has been a part of this dream since I first put boot to path.  With quite a bit of experience I have only hiked a few hundred miles of the AT but I have set my sights on hiking the entire length.  No plans for thru-hiking; a section hiker I elect to be.  So beginning next week during my spring break I plan to begin a methodical hiking of the trail that only an engineer could appreciate.  Ambitious - of course; will I do it?  I guess you will see.  I hope to post my first post-hike blog next week (with photos, if I remember the camera).  I wonder how many others have begun a similar venture and succeeded; I plan to be in that number.  I will keep you posted.