Ben continues his assault on the Appalachian Trail. I've been told that if a hiker makes it through Virginia, it's likely he or she will finish the trek, and Ben has nearly finished that state. Fyi, he made up boxes with food and fuel in preparation for this hike, and his dad mails one every four or five days to specified post offices. When Ben picks up a package, his pack jumps to around 45 pounds. jm

June 19 (Day 53)

The two guys I slept with in the shelter last night, I believe, were the quietest sleepers I have encountered on the AT. They sleep as quietly as I do.

I started early as usual, and just before the big climb today, I passed two guys who had pitched their tent directly on the trail, forcing everyone to go around.

I passed a lot of people hiking today, but no thru-hikers that I'm aware of.

I had planned on stopping at a shelter about 16 miles from my starting point today, but I hiked very quickly and decided that I should just do the extra miles so I could get into Montebello today. I've heard most hikers avoid Montebello because it's about 2.5 miles off the trail (which isn't bad), but it's all downhill, making getting back onto the trail difficult.

They have a nice campground here in Montebello, which I've decided to stay at. It's a little expensive as far as tent sites go ($10), but I did take a shower, and I was able to do laundry, which I haven't been able to do since Pearisburg.

June 20 (Day 54)

I got a ride back up to the trail this morning. It was very misty, and it actually started raining after not too long. I passed a shelter after walking only 3 miles, so I stopped and only had to wait about 45 minutes before the rain stopped.

I took my time with the climb. The rain had made the rocks very slick, and I frequently stopped to take in the scenery.

At the next shelter I passed, I stopped for another break and I met Google and Sunshine. There was a decent storm last night, and they said they had tented out on the ridge last night, and it was very intense with all the lightning. Certainly the ridgeline is not the best place to be when there are that many lightning strikes.

I had walked 9 miles at this point and planned to walk another 10, then find a place to camp.

Most of the walking did not involve any major climbs or descents, but it was far rockier than I expected. After 6 miles I crossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway again, and there was a girl set up near the road there doing some Trail Magic. She had a lot of fresh fruit, cookies, and sodas. I ate a couple bananas, had a few cookies, and drank a strange soda. After this I was feeling pretty good, so I did the 10 miles from there to the next shelter, making it a 25-mile day.

I arrived later than usual, and it was a very nice shelter (it even had windows), but I took the time to set up my tent because it has been so hot the past few nights. In the shelter, I have to stay in my sleeping bag the whole night or risk the bugs getting to me. But in my tent I can usually stay a little cooler.

Waynesboro tomorrow.