The
group hike started from Panorama in icy rain then the weather dry out
and turned sunny on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park. I
was exhausted after 10 miles mix of slush and wet snow, which caused
two blisters on the back of my heels from carrying 1lb of wet snow under
the spikes. I requested and got 5 other hikers to turn back at
Elkwallow Wayside. Then I got two more blisters on balls of my feet
walking down Skyline Drive. Total 17.7 miles, 2400 vertical in 7:20
total time today. The other group finished 21 miles as planned, but I am
glad that I turned back earlier to take care of my feet.
I
had a cold (20f -6c) yet fun hike over snow with friends on Appalachian
Trail for 15 mile with 3000 feet elevation gain (manassas gap - whiskey
hollows) on Saturday. I was well prepared with gaiters to keep my socks
dry, spikes to walk on snow/ice, sunglasses to avoid snow blind, and an
alpaca wool hat to cover my ears (got for the Inca trail hike in 2011
in Peru). However, I accidentally smashed my head against a 6” diameter
tree trunk and it really hurt (May knock down my IQ 10 points!!!).
After the hike, four of us went to a close by winery for wine tasting
around an outdoor fire pit. A great day except my head injury. I ran 5
miles on Sunday to meet my 20 hike/run mile weekend goal.
I
just finished running 5 miles before the pavement became icy, after
skipping a hike likely in freezing rain. I ran another 15 miles Sunday
afternoon to meet my weekend 20 workout goal and to burn off lunar new
year eve dinner calories. BTW, happy Valentine’s Day!
I
hiked with a meetup group today mostly on snow for 16 miles with 3400
feet elevation gain in the Shenandoah National Park (AT-Pass Mtn-Rocky
Branch-Neighbor Mtn Trails. It was very tiring to walk on snow so we cut
short the hike than originally planned. My boots and socks were soaked
but I tough it out, and pretty exhausted at the end of the hike. Since
we finished early, four of us went to a winery after the hike.
I
hiked with a few friends in the Shenandoah National Park to Compton
Peak - Lands Run - Nickerson Hollow for 12 miles with 2782 feet
elevation gain on a sunny, dry yet freezing cold day (starting from 17f
then rising to 39 f). Thanks for Tam’s delicious banana bread treats at
the end of the hike (which gave me energy to run 9 miles after the hike
but before the coming 2-day snow forecast).
I
hiked with friends in the Shenandoah National Park for 11 miles with
3300 feet elevation gain via Cedar Run - Hawksbill Peak - White Oak
Canyon Loop. It was cold (20s F) in the early morning and Cedar Run
trail had some icy spot. Then there was snow on the trail up Hawksbill
Peak, so I wore spikes to go down the trail. On the other hand, White
Oak Canyon trail was dry and safe.
I
hiked with a meetup group from Panorama-Marys Rock-Leading Ridge - Buck
Hollow Hiked for 14.5 miles with 4700 feet elevation gain in SNP today.
Leading Ridge Trail is steepest trail in the Shenandoah National Park
(more challenging than Robertson Mountain). I hiked it up before, but
downhill for the first time (which was pretty scary for me). We expected
a little rain but turned into a blizzard, so some of us skipped the
last uphill stretch and walk skyline down. It was a pity that I did not
hike >1 mile vertical as planned, but I am glad to avoid the last
snowy/slippery section. The sea of clouds was beautiful!
I
had 18.4-mile 3450 feet elevation gain hike on the Appalachian Trail
between Manassas Gap and Sky Meadows out and back on this cool 20-30f
and sunny day. Five of us went wine tasting after hike @ Barrel Oak
Winery. Thanks to dear Wanda’s
membership so we got to taste 4 wines for free outdoors and next to a
fire pit. I made it home, had a quick dinner, and ready for bed. What a
fun day!
