Slacker!

Shuk, Torque, GG1 at Buzzard Rocks near Damascus, VA

Slackpacking - walking trail miles without all the gear necessary for a self-supported hike.  Considered anathema to trail purists.  Considered a blessing to those who just want to get to Maine in one piece.

After a couple of days off trail to catch up on work I met up with GG1 and Torque in Damascus as they were staying at the same inn as I (The Montgomery House).  GG1 mentioned that they had arranged for 4 days of slackpacking through Mount Rogers Outfitters and asked if I was interested in joining them.  Of course I jumped at the chance for my first slackpack.  Imagine hiking for 4 days with only water, lunch and some rain gear to carry.  How sweet is that?  Each day we were met by our shuttle driver, Gecko, a gentleman in his early 60's who has hiked the trail many times and helps hikers each spring by running shuttles for MRO.  He was a wealth of knowledge about each trail section we covered and also about what would face us further up the trail.  Over the course of the 4 days we walked from Damascus, VA through the Grayson Highlands over to Atkins, VA.  Total distance covered was a sweet 73 miles.  We saw the wild horses in the highlands, hiked through pouring rain one day, discussed every possible book and idea that came into our heads, and all in all had a great time.  I hope that I meet them again on the trail as they were a fascinating couple who retired at the end of Feb. 2011 and began their thru-hike of the AT at the beginning of March.

Mileage to date = 537.0