Roan to Damascus - June 30th - July 4th, 2023

  •   Category Weight
  • Sleepin' Pads
    0.9 lb
  • Sleepin' Things
    0.89 lb
  • Stayin' Warm
    0.59 lb
  • Packed Wearables
    0.21 lb
  • Stayin' Dry
    0.9 lb
  • Electronics
    1.17 lb
  • Backpacks
    1.18 lb
  • Tents
    1.04 lb
  • Needed
    3.1 lb
  • Water
    0.32 lb
  • Consumed
    11.38 lb
  • Total 21.67
    lb
    • oz
    • lb
    • g
    • kg
  • Consumable 11.6 lb
  • Base Weight 10.07 lb

Duration: June 30th - July 4th, 2023 
Total Distance: 90 miles on the AT

Photos: https://imgur.com/a/5hLxBpZ

Lighterpack: https://lighterpack.com/r/de9tzn

Day 1: Damascus to Carver's Gap Shuttle
I started my trip by parking my car in Damascus and taking a shuttle to Carver's Gap. I hit the trail at 6 p.m. My initial destination for the day was Stan Murray Shelter, which was 3.8 miles away. However, the area was enveloped in clouds, providing no scenic views. As I hiked, I got slightly turned around and ended up covering an extra half mile. The trail was quiet, with only a few fellow hikers passing by. When I arrived at Stan Murray Shelter, I found it empty, adding a touch of spookiness to the atmosphere due to the surrounding clouds and fog.

Day 2: Stan Murray Shelter to Mountaineer Falls Shelter (20 miles)
Continuing on my journey, I hiked from Stan Murray Shelter to Mountaineer Falls Shelter, covering a distance of 20 miles. Along the way, I was fortunate to seek refuge at the famous Overmountain Shelter, as thunderstorms loomed in the weather forecast. It was a unique opportunity for me to experience the shelter before its eventual removal. While hiking, I had the delightful sighting of two bears, each playfully poking their heads over the growth on the bald. I managed to capture one of them on video as it swiftly disappeared into the wilderness. I made a stop at The Station at 19e for a satisfying lunch. Upon reaching Mountaineer Falls Shelter, I encountered a moment of uncertainty when a sizable branch fell from a tree above. As a precaution, I moved into the shelter, and it turned out to be a wise decision as distant thunderstorms echoed through the night. Thankfully, no mice made an appearance, and I had a restful sleep.

Day 3: Mountaineer Falls Shelter to Boots Off (24.9 miles)
During this leg of the journey, I had the pleasure of meeting a 65-year-old thru-hiker from Maine. Although I unfortunately forgot his name, he shared his experiences of hiking a significant portion of the trail in 1977 and 2011. Both times, he had to halt his journey due to knee issues. As I pressed on, the trail presented me with a challenge as I tackled the PUD (pointless up and down) known as Pond Mountain. The ups and downs seemed never-ending, but I eventually made it to Boots Off Hostel, which provided a wonderful respite. I decided to indulge in a private cabin and took a trip into town for a small resupply, including a visit to Subway for a quick meal and fresh fruit.

Day 4: Boots Off to Cross Mountain/TN 91 (mile 449.1) - 20.6 miles
Leaving Boots Off Hostel, I reluctantly continued my journey, aware of the distant thunderstorms on the horizon. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side as rain poured down on me from the end of the hostel's road all the way to Vandeventer Shelter. Throughout the rest of the day, the rain came and went intermittently, until I finally found a suitable stealth camping site.

Day 5: Cross Mountain/TN 91 to Damascus - 21.3 miles On the final day of my journey, I embarked on the 21.3-mile stretch from Cross Mountain/TN 91 to Damascus. Filled with determination, I set out, not expecting to make it to Damascus with such speed. However, fueled by adrenaline and the realization that the end was near, I found myself blazing down the trail. To my astonishment, I completed the distance in an impressive time of 6 hours, 32 minutes, and 9 seconds. It was a truly exhilarating experience, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Gear Summary: This is the first large trip using a bear can and I can say that it didn’t slow me down one bit and I actually, sort-of, kind of, liked it. The Sealskinz and EE rain mitts, not sure why I took either, remained unused throughout the journey. Additionally, the EE Torrid Vest and Crew fleece were only minimally used. On the other hand, the food I packed worked out well for me. It consisted of a box of cereal, Mio flavoring, various gummies and candies from Haribo, M&M and Trolli, powdered milk with Carnation, and electrolyte powder.