Monday, June 27th

Daleville, VA (730.3 mi) to Stealth Site near Bobblets Gap Shelter (748.9 mi)

Hiking Miles: 18.6

Total Ascent: 4,459.6 ft

Total Descent: 3,630.2 ft

Total Grade: 434.6 ft/mi

Steps: 51,857

We all grabbed a few packaged goodies from the motel’s “so-called” continental breakfast in the lobby. It wasn’t a hot breakfast but it was good nonetheless. We also did our laundry in the tub because the lone washing machine in the entire place was broken, and the hotel across the way wouldn’t allow us to use their laundry room despite our hotel saying that they had an arrangement with them to do so.

We then did a resupply at Kroeger’s, and ate lunch at Wendy’s before getting back on trail at 2 pm (our latest start on trail). The goal was to hike to Bobblett’s Gap Shelter 18.6 miles away.

It was a beautiful day and for the most part the terrain was pleasant. I fell behind the pack about halfway into our day’s hike. Stevie, DT (Double Trouble), and Green lead the way at a swift pace, but I was hiking solo just ahead of Smiles, Kai and Marty, who hiked together.

Later in the afternoon with just about 4 miles to our destination, I grew increasingly tired and was not feeling well. A mile and a half later, I stopped for a break along the Blue Ridge Parkway to watch a beautiful sunset and to record a short video. Smiles, Marty and Kai caught up with me and we hiked the remaining 2.4 miles together.

By the time we had reached the Boblett’s Gap Shelter where we thought everyone stopped at (a miscommunication along the way), it was pitch black, and the shelter was full of sleeping hikers. We then realized our group actually stopped at a stealth site 0.1 mile past the 1/4-mile blue blaze trail that lead us to the shelter. We were however able to scoop water at a stream having a very low trickle. When we backtracked up the blue blaze trail and reached the stealth site, Stevie and DT had a roaring campfire going.

I ate the rest of my sub from the grocery store, and then set up my tent (Stevie helped me) while everyone else cowboy camped under the stars. Stevie and DT used their tents as a barrier between their mattress and the ground as they each settled in for the night. Meanwhile, I dozed off to sleep in my tent while the Ostermiller’s were all singing “Country Roads” and star gazing.