Summer Solstice-Fathers Day AT hike 2010

**Rain Man** · 05-25-2010, 13:29

Tentatively, I am planning an easy, long-weekend, 37.9-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail over the June 18-21, 2010 weekend. This happens to include Fathers Day and the Summer Solstice. Anyone interested, if indeed I go? Here are current "plans" (subject to change):

Friday:
9:00 a.m. - Leave Nashville, drive to area of Marion, Virginia
Leave vehicle(s) at Happy Hiker Hollow AT "hostel" near Atkins
Be shuttled to Dickey Gap on the Appalachian Trail
Hike 3.9 miles to Trimpi Shelter

Saturday:
Hike 10.6 miles from Trimpi Shelter to Partnership Shelter (one of the fanciest shelters on the entire AT) at the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area headquarters and Visitors Center
Order pizza delivery for dinner!

Sunday:
Hike 11.6 miles from Partnership Shelter/Mt. Rogers VC to I-81/Atkins, VA
Be shuttled back to Happy Hiker Hollow Hostel for dinner and overnight stay

Monday:
Breakfast at HHHH
Hike 11.8 miles from Atkins/I-81 to Virginia highway 42
Be shuttled back to our vehicles at the HHHH in the afternoon.
Drive home to Nashville that evening.

These mileages are considered "easy" by AT hikers, but probably strenuous by many day hikers. You decide for yourself. We'll be in the mountains, but there are no terrible mountains to climb. The rhododendron, azaleas, and mountain laurel should be in bloom, but we should avoid all the tourist crowds who drive to Roan Mountain in Tennessee.

Questions?
Raymond 'Rain Man' Myers

**Cannibal** · 05-25-2010, 13:36

That's a nice hike, wish I was closer.

**Rain Man** · 06-17-2010, 17:22

I am POSTPONING this hike for two or three weeks, probably until July 9th. PM any questions or requests to me, if you like.

Rain Man

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**jerzybears** · 06-17-2010, 20:11

Wish I was closer...I'm thinking of doing Connecticut up here during that time.

**Ladybird** · 06-17-2010, 21:10

Just remember, June 21 is hike in the woods naked day.

**Rain Man** · 06-18-2010, 09:26

Originally Posted by halfback

Just remember, June 21 is hike in the woods naked day.

Heck, that's what I'll miss the most due to the postponement! LOL

Some folks get all uptight about that day. Doesn't bother me.

Anyway, tentatively plan to do the hike in about 3 weeks.

Rain Man

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**BigRed77** · 06-18-2010, 09:35

Have fun RainMan and Go Tigers In the College World Series.
BigRed

**Rain Man** · 06-19-2010, 08:05

Originally Posted by BigRed77

Have fun RainMan and Go Tigers In the College World Series.

Yes, GO TIGERS in the CWS!!!! I'll be down in SC this weekend visiting my father for Fathers Day and my mother for her 75th birthday, also on Sunday this year. A decent fall-back plan, since my hike got postponed. I'll be earning some bit-time parental brownie points. LOL

I hit the road in a little while, in fact.

Rain Man

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**Rain Man** · 07-06-2010, 16:46

This hike has been rescheduled for this weekend, July 9-12, otherwise tentatively same schedule as original.

Feel free to give me a shout if you'd like to tag along, even if these exact dates may not work for you. My hiking partner and I might be able to adjust the days somewhat.

Rain Man

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**Rain Man** · 07-15-2010, 09:36

A friend ("Mama Bear") and I did this hike this past weekend and it was great. Will try to post a little report. In the meantime, here is a link to some of the photos I took. Enjoy!

Link to photo album of hike.

Of the three nights, the first was on the floor of a shelter, the second was hanging in the loft of Partnership Shelter, and the third was in a real bed at Happy Hiker Hollow "hostel" (more like a B&B).

Rain Man

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