Baking in the July haze, I found myself trapped in a heat dome, despite my best efforts to escape. The superstition of saying 'Rabbit, rabbit' at the start of a new month, a habit from my high school Latin class, offered a moment of comfort as I woke up to the reality of another sweltering day. With a well-planned itinerary, I aimed to replicate my previous heroic hike, swapping between the AT and Skyline Drive for a faster route back to my van. However, the heat soon took its toll, and I realized that my initial plan to hike and camp on trail was not feasible.
The first section of my hike was downhill on the trail, but the rocks slowed me down. I opted for Skyline Drive, which was flatter but took me away from the trail for a while. After a refreshing break and a hearty breakfast, I continued on the AT, eager to reach the Elkwallow Wayside. However, the heat and humidity were relentless, and I soon found myself questioning my ability to continue.
At one point, I considered hiking straight to the Tom Floyd shelter, but realized that I needed to stop for water sooner. I decided to get back on the AT and head to the spring below Compton Peak, which would help me recover and finish strong. However, I was just a few steps from the Jenkins Gap trailhead when a passing car stopped and offered me two bottles of water, which I gratefully accepted.
After over 10 miles of road walking, my feet were badly beaten up, and I was struggling to keep going. The high heat and humidity were relentless, and I was sweating more than ever before. I reached the creek before 7:00 PM, but the next camping area was 4.7 miles further north, largely uphill. I quickly surveyed the area for a tentsite and decided to call it a day, setting up camp at VA Route 602.
Despite the challenges, I was determined to make the most of my time on the trail. I had planned to hike for a total of 30 miles, but the heat and humidity took their toll, and I was forced to call it a day after just 20.4 miles. However, I was grateful for the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Shenandoah and was already looking forward to my next adventure.
