Appalachian Trail – “Creek”

I had planned to continue writing about our winter in Florida, but have a new real time event that I wanted to share. I enjoy many of the local Virginia hiking opportunities either on the Appalachian Trail (AT) or any of the hundred other mountain wilderness trails. My idea of a good hike is three-four hours on the trail followed immediately by a good restaurant meal somewhere, then back home to shower and rest. We are blessed in this area to have a plethora of hikes available! This week, I joined an AT Through Hiker for a few hikes, including one that was very challenging!

Creek

My brother-in-law, Tom, retired from work about four years ago and has been busy with some travels and many hobbies. This year he wanted to accomplish something major for several reasons. What he decided to tackle was hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT)! This year he started the trek at the end of February down in Georgia with plans to finish in Maine. That would be an incredible feat to accomplish for anyone and especially a 65-year-old! Hopefully, he will finish this year, but no big deal if it takes more time.

Tom has a wife and family back in Ohio that he will be missing dearly while he is making this long walk across several mountain chains in the mid-eastern states. The entire trail is 2,200 miles long! All of the through hikers use a “trail name” on the trail and they all know each other by these nicknames. Tom’s trail name is “Creek.”

The main reason for his tackling this massive feat is to support a cause that he believes in, the Tunnels to Towers project. This charity was formed after the 9/11 terrorist attack resulting in many first responder casualties and injuries. They now support all military and first responders. Tom was a volunteer fireman several years ago, so he knows the sacrifices they make to support the community.

Here is some info from their website: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001.

Passing through our area

Pat and I have been watching Tom’s progress on a special app made by Garmin. Tom/Creek wears a Garmin transponder that pings his location every 30 minutes. It also provides emergency satellite communications if needed in the back country where cell service does not exist.

As I mentioned earlier, we have fairly easy access to many of the AT parking areas where we can hike either north or southbound. The AT makes a large loop all around our small city of Radford, Va. Therefore, I selected three sections of the trail to meet Tom and get some hiking in while spending time with him.

In addition, we picked him up and brought him to our home twice for a day and a half each time. To eat some good home cooked meals, rest up, and attend church with us. He joked that he has walked 750 miles to visit us! And he has!

Trail Life

We have learned all kinds of things from Creek about what it is like to be on this hike all the time as a through hiker. It is actually quite fascinating. Here are a few tidbits:

• There are approximately 2,500 people who through hike the AT each year
• Most hikers will camp for a week and then stay at hostel for a night
• There are many hostels all along the route that offer low-cost lodging, showers and meals
• Tom carries a 40-pound backpack with him with enough food to last until his next re-supply
• In the backpack are a tent, sleeping bag, foam mattress, small propane stove, food, water, extra clothes, battery packs, and any other small items required
• There are many AT shelters along the trail where hikers can get out of the rain. Although, most prefer to pitch their tent away from the crowds
• The AT is very clean and well maintained. The hikers are diligent in packing out all trash
• The trail is well defined with white paint marks on trees, boulders, or posts
• Some hikers begin at the north end in Maine and walk southbound, but it seems that most start in Georgia and go north
• The camaraderie among hikers is very strong. Tom has made many friends and gained useful insights in what is ahead, locating water sources, and what to avoid

Bland County

I first hiked with Tom at a location that was just less than an hour from here through some beautiful countryside.

Pearisburg, VA Hike

I hiked along a second time when I took Tom back to the trail at the Pearisburg Cemetary parking area. This one was not as picturesque as it wound along a road, then a manufacturing plant, a landfill, and finally got into a nice area about time for me to return back to the car. Oh well, my next meet up hike will be quite special!

McAfee’s Knob Hike

This hike has the most photographed and well-known place on the entire trail. It includes a stunning panoramic view as you stand on a rock ledge. I had done this hike about 20 years ago and remember it was quite the challenge. Well, it is 20 years later, and I really wanted to get back up there again.

Tom had about 8 miles to get to the parking area where I waited for him with a Subway sandwich and a cold drink. It was one of those scorching hot days that we sometimes get here in early May. Tom arrived at about 12:30, we had a nice lunch and got caught up on his last few trail days.

A little more on this McAfee’s hike. People come from all over the world to make this eight-mile hike (up and back down). It can be crowded on weekends, but we were there on a weekday. There are many up and downhills the first two miles, but the last stretch is two miles straight uphill. And it was a hot day, 88 degrees when we started. Keep in mind that Tom had already hiked 8 miles to get here!

I’ve got to tell you that it was rough on this old guy. I think I stay in pretty good shape all winter walking three miles a day in Florida. But no elevation changes and cool weather down there in the sunshine state. There were times that we both were sweating and panting and needed many short breaks. My backpack was only 10 pounds or so with mainly water. Tom’s was 40 pounds!

Finally, about 3.5 hours later, we had conquered the 4-mile climb and the mountain! That may just be the last time that I hike it. I love the many local day hikes, but this one has grown way too long the last 20 years!

But, the view at the top may have actually been worth it! It was incredible.

At the top of the mountain at McAfee’s, we said our goodbyes and Tom headed on north for a few more miles to a campsite and I proceeded back down the trail. Those four miles back may have been just as tough as I was worn out! The footing all along the trail can be difficult with many rocks and tree roots.

Final Goodbye

A week later, when Tom was north of Roanoke, near Buchanan, VA, we picked him up for his last day off at our place. We had a great visit. He bought us some steaks and salmon for the grill and a Walmart trip to restock the backpack. After the day off Pat and I took Tom back to the pickup spot, and he was sent off into some very deep woods and remote areas of Virginia. Very remote.

I was quite difficult to see him off. Kind of like the child that you send off to college. Knowing how difficult this journey is for him, a retired paint exec who could be enjoying fine dining and a round of golf. And his many hobbies. That is all on hold for now. Until he climbs to the top of that highly desired Katahdin Mountain in Maine.

Wrap Up

Tom is attempting an amazing journey that only a very small number of people have accomplished. His desire is to draw attention to his cause, “Tunnels to Towers” and to raise money for their foundation. Please follow along on his YouTube journey and make a donation if you are able. I’m sure it will mean a lot to him. Here is his link:

Tom Treks is the name of his YouTube channel.