I had the pleasure of enjoying time with family and friends over the superbowl weekend at our 6th annual ski vacation at Massanutten Resort not far from where the AT crosses through this area one valley over from the Shenendoah National Park near Luray, VA.
Temperatures turned colder Monday evening and snow began falling giving us about two inches of fresh powder overnight. Wednesday morning I decided to try hiking the Ridge Trail at the edge of the bowl that forms the resort area. It was rocky, snow covered, and icy and a good test of my choices of clothing to stay warm and how my boots and sock layering would work. At about 26 degrees and with a stiff wind, I stayed comfortable during my 4 hour hike.
Current plans are to drive back to North Carolina at the beginning of the week where friends will host me and I can go through food boxes and mail drop logistics before parking my car and getting a ride to the trail start. I plan to arrive near Dahlonega, GA on Wednesday afternoon February 17th and begin my journey from Springer Mountain on Thursday morning.
My time at Massanutten has been restful and relaxing. The view from the Ridge Trail was spectacular ... looking forward to many more similar views in the months ahead.
“Live
in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste
the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”
-- Henry David Thoreau, Journals, August 23, 1853
