#thunder ridge

Thunder Ridge Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia {source:flickr} ~beauty-funny-trippy

Blue ridge parkway | Thunder Ridge

Anyway, shortly after this terrible encounter, we crossed the James River on the longest foot – only bridge on the AT.  The James River was clearly flooded from all the rain the past 2 days.  On the other side, we began our 3 mile steep uphill climb to nearly end our day.  This mountain was a beast that took away nearly all my energy.  The best views were from a small plateau 2 miles up that overlooked the James River Valley.  Gemini and Flow were at the viewpoint as well.  We haven’t seen them in over a month, so it’s cool passing people we already know.  The last mile was even more difficult than the two before.  The elevation profile of this mountain is like the Superman roller coaster, where the higher you get, the steeper it gets.  But we made it up and hiked a few more miles to our camp. We were amazed that we were still able to maintain a 3 mph pace at the end despite being drained by Mt. Everest. Oh, by the way, we nicknamed this giant that because it seemed appropriate.

Virginia is without question the toughest state so far!  Whoever started the myth that Virginia was flat where big miles are plentiful should be hanged for villainous treason against thru-hikers. The entire day was steep up and down after steep up and down, covered in rocks and long walks between water sources. Today wasn’t rare either, the whole state has been like this.  My goal is to dispel the current myth about Virginia so people aren’t surprised when they get here.  One good thing Virginia has that other states haven’t are a decent amount of views. In  previous states, you could walk 2 days without having a good view.  Here, you get at least one per day.  Our first came at the top of Apple Orchard Mountain where a large FAA radar tower was located.  I of course took a picture with it since its function is my namesake.  On the way down, we passed under the “guillotine”, which was a boulder wedged between two much larger boulders.  It was a bit nerve wracking standing under it, but nothing short of an earthquake could move that thing.  On the way to our campsite I got startled a bit when a large turkey left it’s perch up in a tree and flew right overhead.  My first thought was that a tree was falling, so I was prepared to run either direction.  Stupid bird got my adrenaline pumping.  We set up camp tonight right at the overlook.  I think it technically isn’t allowed, but there aren’t any signs telling us we can’t do it.  It was a pretty good sunset tonight, but seeing the clouds develop and move into us rapidly was the coolest part.  We also used Ziploc’s phone for an 80 minute time lapse of the sunset that was compressed into an 80 second video.  It should turn out pretty neat.

Paradise doesn't always have palm trees.

photo: Garrett Grove

Mayapples by S William Bishop At Thunder Ridge on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. May 2004.