Day in Lexington

Well its been a good week of taking it slow. Graham(who is now Troubador) is adjusting well but I've had to slow down a bit for him to adjust and find his hiking legs. We've been hiking with some cool guys from Indiana, and surprisingly, a lot of gators. We spent one night at the coolest place called Marble Spring which looked like something out of a movie. We had hiked through a lot of underbrush, then the trail just opened up to this big clearing with a few big trees. We had some bears make a lot of noise around 5am, but no trouble came to us or to our food. We're in Lexington now and its been amazing how God has timed out everything perfectly. We arrived at US. 60 at 3 today and had to wait an hour to hitchhike the 15 miles into town. Graham and I went to the Washington and Lee dining hall where we made friends with all the service people who knew we looked, and smelled, out of place. Afterwards, we went to the movies and as we left we saw fireworks. A nice couple drove us to the field where the fireworks were being shot off for Washington and Lee's graduation and it was just cool to watch them being fired off. Then Beau Craparo picked us up and we're at his house now. Getting back on the trail tomorrow morning and picking up the pace. We are trying to make it to Harpers Ferry WV by June 10th, my birthday and will have to push through Shenendoah National Park to do so. Hope everyone else is having a summer as phenomenal as I am, HULK

Daleville

HULK here, I dont know what happened with the pictures. They should have linked but they havent and I dont really have the time to work on them. But heres the link for them.
http://picasaweb.google.com/HUlLKhikesAT/At?authkey=Gv1sRgCKL8vZuJrpTswAE&feat=directlink
that should bring up the photos I've taken so far for this trip. 282 miles down, 1459 to go. Im bushed after this last week and now that my buddy, Graham Wigle has joined me, we should take it slow for the next couple of days. I'm going to see my friend Beau in a few days as I have about 90 miles to go to Lexington Va, home of Washington and Lee university. Talk to you all then.-HULK

Hard Push

Hulk has endured...another larger timber rattlesnake that caught him off guard, bears (unseen, but heard) crashing about the campsite in the last night or two and it was very cold the last two nights. He slept near Sarver Hollow Shelter last night. Went to sleep hot, but woke up chattering for 45 minutes till he got his thermals and jacket on. Otherwise the weather is great during the day. He is trying to get to Daleville / I-81 crossing by Wednesday evening to meet up with Graham. He has gone 45 miles in 3 days, with another 49 to go today and tomorrow. He got a cell signal and called us from near Niday Shelter at 11am and will try to get to Catawba Va / Johns Spring Shelter late tonight. Keep him in your prayers.

PS- I did not see any new photos up yet, there may have been a problem uploading them at the last stop. Maybe he will fix that Thursday morning. 16 days / 214 miles down / 1500 to go. Dad

New Pics Up!

Well photos are finally up. Im writing today from the Pearisburg public library. Pearisburg is not a friendly town and Im more than ready to leave. In fact, I have to start booking it because I am meeting Graham Wigle in Daleville on Wednesday and Daleville is a good 90 miles from here.
It's stopped raining, at least for now and the weather couldnt be more favorable. The views from the mountain tops and ridgelines that I have been hiking almost seem endless and Virginia's beauty has me completely captivated. The other day I saw 3 baby bear cubs and one got within about 6 feet of me. I didnt see the mother, nor did I want to, but I got a picture of one of them and high-tailed it out of there. Ive also seen several snakes, one of which was a rattlesnake and he caused me a 20 minute delay by not moving off of the trail. He was an aggressive one.
My favorite day so far has been thursday. I hiked to the Dismal Creek waterfalls and went swimming with two other hikers, Knickers and Hobbit(two sisters). The water was freezing cold, but we asked ourselves how often do you get to swim under a waterfall and had a blast in the cool waters. As we were sunning ourselves out on the rocks above the falls, a local fisherman gave us several freshly caught rainbow trout which we fried up when we got to the Woodshole hostel that night. The Woodshole hostel is, at least for now, my favorite place on the trail. It has so much history and character behind it. It has only been open for 3 weeks now and is run by Michael and his wife,Neville. They were some of the nicest and most generous people I have met so far and wish them the best.
Continuing in that fashion, I have really felt the southern hospitality. Hitchhiking has been very easy and all of my rides have been very friendly. I got a ride from 3 kids yesterday, none of which looked 16 or older, but thats just the fun of the journey. Trail magic has also been a great treat whether its a cooler full of gatorade or a knee brace to help out with the tendinitis ive been having in both my knees.
Well, thats all the time I have to write. Im ready to get out of Pearisburg and get back on the trail. Hope everyone is doing well and thanks for reading.

hey everybody, im writing from a gas station in Atkins Va, today and so far ive made it 75 miles. I need to start picking up more speed but it was a good first week. Its rained everyday so far, which means ive been quite the soggy dog this week. the company has been priceless and everybody has had a great additude about everything despite the weather. the mountains are beautiful and the wildflowers are just beginning to bloom. In Damascus last week I met a man I had met in 2007 named Larry(his trail name was the only wanderer) He shared his testimony with me in 07 and told me he had been running from the law on the AT years ago when a hurricane hit. He prayed for the first time in that storm and told the Lord that if the Lord spared him that night in the hurricane he would become a Christian and change his ways. God did spare him and the next day he walked into a town and turned himself in. He's a christian now and shares his testimony along with free phonecalls to all hikers who pass by. He offered me and a few other hikers a free breakfast and it was amazing. Led to a strong start on my hike this summer. Also had some fun up in the grayson highlands where wild ponies came up to our shelter. There were about ten of them and they were a lot of fun. Ill write more when I can. Im going to try and be in Pearisburg by next saturday and Graham Wigle might join me there if his knee can hold up. Its so beautiful out here and the people are amazing. I wish each of you all could experience this adventure. I will post pictures when I can. Happy Trails-Rob

First 5 Days

Alright, We talked with Robert today around 3:30 pm. As I mentioned in the last post, He had a huge, delicious breakfast with Larry and 3 other hikers (trail magic) before hitting the trail. Hiked 14 miles in the rain to Lost Mountain Shelter. Monday was a 12 mile hike in the rain to Thomas Knob where He had some nice feral ponies hanging around. They like to like the salt off of you. There were some pregnant mares and foals. Tuesday was a rainy 11 miles to Old Orchard shelter. He says shelters have been packed and most of his stuff is damp. His knees are bothering him a bit, but what do you expect? He has a pair of walking sticks to ease the impact. Wednesday was also walking thru rain and the little streams that cross the trails, hiking 11 mile. Thursday was 14 miles to Trumpi shelter. Finally today, the sun came out and the hike was a shorter 10 miles to the Partnership Shelter and the Mt. Rogers Nat. Rec. Area HQ. He got there by 2 in the afternoon, had a warm shower and ordered a pizza, which I am thinking tasted pretty nice about now. He is drying out his stuff and relaxing for the afternoon. 63 miles completed / 1650 to go. Mom and Dad are very relieved getting this first call. Tomorrow he will hike to Adkins, VA and restock his food.

Dad

Finally on the Trail

Rob / Hulk left Tampa around 2 on Saturday. His friend Beau picked him up and drove him from Roanoke to Damascus that evening. He spent the night at the Place. Sunday morning he had breakfast with a Trail Town friend, then took off for the Lost Mountain shelter (15 miles).

The Adventure Starts Tomorrow

Well I fly out tomorrow, Saturday May 2nd, 2009 to Roanoke Va. My great hike starts sunday and will go till about august 20th. 1718 miles. And to think, last time I was in Damascus was two years ago and I was 19 years old. Im excited and am glad things have come together whether they were in the original plan or not. Beau Craparo, my friend from high school, is picking me up and driving me to the trail and I'll see him again in two or three weeks in Lexington Virginia. Graham is not coming with me anymore, although there is some talk of him joining me in a couple of weeks from now. Im ready and have my gear packed. My pack weighs right around 25 lbs. loaded down with food and water. Im starting with a quick pace and should be able to handle a schedule of 15-20 miles a day by the second week. Time to go finish packing and planning. Next time we talk, Ill be on the trail. Happy Trails.-Rob Foss