Day 10 of AT in VA NOBO

Punchbowl Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway
(798.5) to Hog Camp Gap (815.7)
Total miles: 17.2

A LOT of climbing today. Colder temps and high winds after front went through last night.
Marie & Chris dropped me off at 8:30 and I started hiking at 8:45am.
A nice, meandering mostly downhill first 8.5 miles. Paralleled the beautiful Brown Mtn Creek for 2.5 miles right before heading straight uphill for 4 miles. Pretty much steep climbing the rest of the day. Started at the river at 1,300 ft Elev. by the time I reached the top of Bald Knob , I was at 4,100 ft. Descended for a mile, then headed back up the next peak. Ultimately descended through beautiful grasslands, which I had not expected. Looked like Max Patch down in TN. Found a beautiful place to camp in a meadow right at Hog Camp Gap. Lots of birds chirping and deer in the area. I had a huge problem with putting up my tent due to high winds. It was crazy. Looked like I was playing Twister trying to keep the tent from blowing away as I was putting it all together. After a couple of re-do’s, all was good. Was getting colder and wind chill was dropping. I bagged the idea of having a proper hot dinner, ate a package of cheese and crackers, and hopped into my 10-degree sleeping bag. Felt like the Ritz Carlton.Read more