DAMASCUS, Va.

Sitting here in the Hostel across the street from Mt. Rodgers Outfitters on Main St.  Got a ride into town this afternoon from a trailhead about 20 miles West of town. The Keen shoes that were purchased 18 days ago in Hot Springs had fallen apart. Tried calling the outfitter that sold them but was referred to Keen. Using someone else's phone I also called Keen. They told me when the opportunity arises file a warranty claim via computer?

Anyhow, stuck here for now waiting on a shipment from New Balance. The store in town here didn't have anything in stock in my size but was very helpful by allowing me to order from New Balance. So much for equipment problems. 

After leaving Erwin we encountered 5 days of nasty, cold, snowy weather. It seemed like it was never going to end. The hiking was touch and we managed to make progress. Leaving Erwin we hiked to Indian Gap Shelter(8.5mi), then to Clyde Smith Shelter(18 mi) then on to Over Mountain Shelter(14.7 mi ) and ended up at the US 19 Hostel. All of this in terrible weather. From the US 19 Hostel we slack packed 21.6 miles to the Black Bear Resort/ Hostel. There we started to see the effects of the 400 mile injuries. The younger people who were passing us early on now are dropping out because the body can't continue to take the long/fast pace. At the BB Resort we had two injuries, a young girl nicknamed Rocket Girl and another hiker named Animal House. Rocket Girl hurt her leg and stayed there while Animal House had fallen on the thick ice on the last big mountain we had to climb over  6,000ft.

Another hiker(Long Haul) is stuck in another hostel because he twisted his ankle real bad climbing the same mountain. Glad we are done with those until Vermont. 

Not very many good pics this time because of the weather. Thought you might like the snow spiders. They were everywhere when we would take breaks.

Hope this isn't to boring with all the rambling. Maybe this break is so the pace slows down and the weight gets back up. Lost 31 pounds already. It's the new AT diet, eat as much as you can and keep walking... Thanks again