Pearisburg Virginia

May 21, 1999 - Pearisburg Virginia

Folks,

Greetings from Pearisburg Virginia.

615 miles from Springer +- a couple of miles.

Medical Update:

About 90 miles ago I took off a couple of days in Marion Va,

and went to see a podiatrist about my ankle.

The ankle seems to be improving, but the patient is in somewhat

worse shape.

You can't stuff all those things in a boot ( heel uplift, leg warmer

ace bandage ) and walk on it for 90 miles without somethings else

happening.

As of today I can barely feel and tension in the tendon that was giving me trouble, but I did develop some rubbing sores on the top

of that same foot and a blister on the bottom. I am also taking

2400 mg of Ibuprofen a day.

If all goes well, I will discontinue the use of the wrap within

the next couple of hiking days, but will carry it with me in case

I need it.

Next stop is Troutville Virginia about 92 miles up the trail.

NOt many opportunities for getting off the trail ( one at 70 miles)

My wife ( jan ) says that I should describe my pack, so here it is.

Pack Weight without food, water and Fuel was about 30 lbs

Loaded pack weight was about 40 pounds. It varies with mostly food

and water.

I am carrying about 1.75 quarts of water and about 10 ounces of fuel

The messy details.

Sleeping bag ( 40 degree Mountain Hardware ) marginal at less than 40 degrees.

Water filter - Pur Hiker Seems to be working well. I am using a coffee

filter around the intake for additional filtering. One year warrantee

against clogging.

REI water bag - 2 gallons when full - several ounces when empty.

Clothes

Stuff sack for clothes - serves as a pillowcase

hiking polypropylene shirt

sleeping polypropylene shirt

hiking propylene underwear

sleeping polypropylene underwear.

3 pairs of liner and hiking socks.

A pair of polypropylene gloves

A wool Baclava

Patagonia Zephur Jacket

Wool Shirt

Waterproof rain hat

rain jacket - added recently - coated nylon

Supplex Hiking shorts

Cooking gear

MSR whisperlite

Titanium pot

dipping cup

Sierra Cup

Spoon

Misc - matches etc.

Middle Pocket

Emergency kit

Toilet Kit - trowel, toilet paper, baby wipes

Extra Plastic bags.

Nylon cord

50 ft of rope ( haul rope )

Top Pocket

Sony radio

Nylon bag - contact lens stuff - vitamins ibuprofin

Pack Cover - large Internal - REI

Thru- Hikers Handbook.

Petzel Microlight

Food - Main bag

Food - snacks - food for the day.

Fanny Pack

.75 quart water bottle

Appalachian trail data book

Topo map/ profile guide

Pack - Duraflex Journey pack

REI treking poles