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June 15 1983, 43 years ago today: A new shelter called Helveys Mill is about a mile past the gap, and that is where I am staying tonight. Mother Nature conjured up a heavy thundershower out of nowhere and drenched me to the bone on that last mile. I got into my rain gear very quickly. I have had lots of practice.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #forest #adventure #AppalachianTrail

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June 15, 1983, 43 years ago today: It was very hot again. The air was even more sodden as the sun drew up the moisture left behind by last night’s thundershowers. Fortunately, the trail has improved quite a bit since Garden Mountain.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #forest #adventure #AppalachianTrail

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June 14, 1983, 43 years ago today: Chestnut Knob had an old, stone shepherd’s hut which had been provided with a new roof and a picnic table and renovated as a shelter for Appalachian Trail hikers. I had lunch there.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography #mountains #Virginia #nature #forest #outdoors #AppalachianTrail

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June 14, 1983, 43 years ago today: Another steamy day began with seven miles of trudging up and down short, steep climbs, occasionally crossing hollows with sluggish brown creeks. Then I had a long, steep climb up to and along Chestnut Ridge to Chestnut Knob. Both were attractive. An extensive swath of grassy, flowering meadow ran along the ridge crest up to and past the knob.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography #mountains #Virginia #nature #forest #outdoors #AppalachianTrail

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June 13, 1983, 43 years ago today: From Gullion, the Appalachian Trail descended (steeply again) along a spur ridge into Crawfish Valley: a flattish wilderness of impenetrable rhododendron thickets surrounding a wide channel of sluggish brown water. Then, it climbed Big Walker Mountain on a well-graded trail.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #AppalachianTrail

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June 13, 1983, 43 years ago today: The Appalachian Trail was a varied and interesting experience this afternoon. The first mile followed paved state roads through the remainder of the broad farming valley bisected by the Interstate. It was a nice roadwalk. I passed scores of cows, several horses, a few pigs, and acres of pasture.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #forest #AppalachianTrail

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June 12, 1983, 43 years ago today: I traversed two other mountains this afternoon, featuring mature forests carpeted with moss and ferns and sporting occasional explosions of rhododendron blossoms.

#backpacking #landscapephotography #hikingadventures #hiking #nature #forest #Virginia #mountains #AppalachianTrail

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June 12, 1983, 43 years ago today: Before 6:30, as the first faint blue twilight tinged the blackness, I was on my way. The woods were at their prettiest in those fleeting moments before sunrise; I promised myself that I would try to get early starts more often.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #AppalachianTrail

In AT hiking videos, a few that I've been checking left trail for one reason or another. Here's some of my regulars:

Drew, who started SOBO in the heart of winter, just passed 2,000 miles and is almost done. https://youtu.be/Ydde6oWPBI8

Polechar & his son Forest hit 1,500 miles in MA going NOBO. https://youtu.be/Xgpu9xPV5Ag

Ashley/Karma who started later than the bubble just hit her 30th day on trail. https://youtu.be/DgqCqfEgxvE

#hiking #AppalachianTrail #AT