AT section

**Grinder** · 03-29-2012, 19:30

I leave tomorrow for this spring's section hike. I'm hiking from Damascus to somewhere near Roanoke.

I have a love/hate relationship with the prep work this requires. I am a procrastinator at heart. I did get food ready with time to spare and my gear has been ready since before the "Hike and Hang" here in Florida two weeks ago. ( I did finally install a zippered bug screen (ala headchangeforu thanks , dude!!)

Largely because of getting lost in the Green Swamp two weeks ago, I bought a GPS APP today "Gaia GPS" by name. Then wasted all afternoon unsuccessfully learning how to download the maps for use off line.

See, I had my GPS with me when I got lost, but I was off the grid and couldn't use it to locate myself. So anyway, it turns out I have to wait til I'm there , load the maps I need and then save them to the SD card. This should allow me to get unlost much easier.

The last 24 hours has been spent figuring out where to resupply and calling to check. (Last year in Maine one hostel had closed during the spring which really upset my plans.)

Got the mail stopped.

Friggin' post office closes at 4PM I guess. door was locked at 4:20. Those guys have no idea they are on the way out due to technological obsolescence. Also, the on line mail hold program is out of commission. That's why I had to drive there.

Anyway, I drive to Franklin,TN for the Hiker Fool's party on Saturday that Ron Haven throws every year. Then, Sunday I place my drop box in Troutdale, drive on to Pearisburg to drop the van off at Woods Hole Hostel and ride my motorcycle back to Damascus to leave it with Lone Wolf (a well known trail character who lives there)

In two weeks, I go back to get the motorcycle leave a drop box in Daleville and leave the van around Roanoke and ride the bike back to Woods Hole. It's kind of complicated, but I save hundreds of dollars in shuttling costs.

Should be a good month.

I'll try to "Say Hi" when I'm somewhere with a computer.

**gunner76** · 03-29-2012, 19:38

Have fun on the trail

**FLRider** · 03-29-2012, 19:47

Good luck, Grinder!

It was a lot of fun hiking with you down in Richloam. I look forward to seeing you next hiking season.

**O-Boy** · 03-29-2012, 19:54

If the GPS doesn't work for you in VA, remember your thumb worked wonders in Richloam.

See you sometime in the fall back in Florida

**Moondoggy** · 04-01-2012, 22:01

Good luck ! If you need help in the New River Valley area or if you think you might PM me and I will give you my number! My hiking group buddies live all through the area and we would gladly help if needed! Maybe you can let me know when you are near me and I'll bring you out some trail magic ! Woop woop!

**Ewker** · 04-02-2012, 10:47

hey Grinder, good to see you in Franklin this past weekend. have a great hike!!!

**MAD777** · 04-02-2012, 11:46

Have a great hike and take care.
Can't wait to hear your stories when you get back to Florida!

**olddog** · 04-02-2012, 12:12

And so begins the continuing 'Grinder's AT Saga' for 2012. Good luck bud, looking forward to some good stories in the fall.

**richtorfla** · 04-02-2012, 12:30

Good luck on your trip! Wish I could go with ya, but I would just slow ya down! Stay safe and can't wait to here how your trip was! Sounds like you got your logistics all figured out.