Miles is miles... and heat is hot 🥵

I went back to Allen's Mountain to see if my OnX Backcountry App had recalibrated... and it has! I really rely on this app for mapping out routes and monitoring my progress - working as it should! Here's a few pics from walk to the summit. I bumped into a maintenance worker on a skid steer and harley rake doing some trail work.

Gear review #2

Okay, this isn't really a review. It's some new gear I've added. First is the Smartwool Merino Wool Long Sleeve shirt (150 weight). I've been needing something more robust than the synthetic long sleeves I've been using, so I found a great deal on Poshmark for this upgrade! Second is the Buff neck gaiter! It's lighter and way more functional than a bandana... and it comes in my favorite color - Tie Dye! The third change I made was swapping out my GSI Haulite Soloist 1000ml pot for a smaller Toaks Titanium 750ml cookpot/mug... my stove, lighter, fuel, gas stand, and rag fit inside!

Testing after the fall!

All systems go! I cranked out 8 steamy miles today... very non-technical trails, but miles is miles! This the first time I've needed a bug net this summer! My thermometer says 90°, but it topped out at 93°.

Massanutten #408

Today I took a break from the Appalachian Trail and went into the George Washington National Forest instead. I hiked up Meneka Peak and back (approximately 6 miles). You'll notice a nice creek area in the photos... just after I took those photos I promptly slipped and fell... the water was cold and refreshing, the hard jagged rocks were not so nice. I have a few bruises and scrapes, but I'm otherwise okay 👍

Stony Man Summit part 2

Stony Man Summit part 1

I was finally able to push through whatever was holding me back, and I put down some miles on the Appalachian Trail. I hiked from Jewell Hollow to Stony Man Summit. The farther along and higher I got, the temps dropped to a super comfy 75°! That was a pleasant surprise.

Summited Pass Mountain on the AT

Today was a warm, but awesome day for laying down miles along the AT! I summited Pass Mountain and Neighbor Mounntain (again). Earlier in the day I met an elderly couple near my first summit... then later I came across them again - this time they asking where the next road crossing would be? I told them where they were and what they needed to do knowing that I would make it back before them. When they reached the parking lot I offered them a ride back to where they were parked... nearly 10 miles south! What a great day it was!