A.T. between Curry Gap and Bobblett Gap, 11/15/2021

 The Charlottesville Chapter members working on the "Hike the AT Through Virginia with the PATC" series completed a section that connected some Roanoke sections to the rest of the portions hiked to the north.  There was a group of nine hikers, split into two groups for a key exchange. The southbound group included hike leaders Margaret Helber and Nancy Kern, with Susanna Williams and Nancy Handley.  The northbound group included hike leaders Michael Seth and Jeff Monroe, along with Karen Ballen, Lynn Hatch and first-timer Mary Bugert.

Both groups met near the middle of the hike and had lunch together, along with exchanging car keys for the return shuttle.  Weather was cool - in the 50's and sometimes breezy, with the day starting in the 30's.  But it was sunnier than predicted - a great day to be out on the trail logging more Virginia Appalachian Trail miles.  Although the group hiked on a Sunday, deer hunting rifle season started the day before, so everyone wore orange or blaze pink.

Appalachian Trail from Daleville to Andy Layne Parking: October 31, 2021

The Charlottesville Chapter's "Hike the AT Through Virginia with the PATC" series continued the weekend of October 30 and 31, 2021 with a couple of hikes out of the Roanoke suburb of Daleville.  

The Sunday hike was from Daleville past Hay Rock and Lamberts Meadow Shelter, then down the Andy Layne Trail to shuttle vehicles.  The Autumn leaves were spectacular!  Best in years.

Length: 13.0 miles

Hike time: 7 hours

Ascent: 3064 feet

Descent: 2934 feet

Participants included Anna Castle, Nancy Handley, Rosemary Eyre-Brook, Susanna Williams, Karen Ballen, Lynn Hatch, Sharon Celso-Hughes, and hike leaders Margaret Helber and Jeff Monroe. Thanks to Margaret for contributing many of the photos below.

Appalachian Trail from Curry Gap to Daleville: October 30, 2021

 The Charlottesville Chapter's "Hike the AT Through Virginia with the PATC" series continued the weekend of October 30 and 31, 2021 with a couple of hikes out of the Roanoke suburb of Daleville.  

The Saturday hike was from Curry Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Daleville.  

Length: 9.9 miles

Hike time: 4:56

Ascent: 1670 feet

Descent: 2380 feet

Participants included Anna Castle, Nancy Handley, Rosemary Eyre-Brook, Susanna Williams, Karen Ballen, Hayden Ardrey, and hike leaders Margaret Helber and Jeff Monroe.  Hayden also brought his friend Ben and his delightful hound dog.

Appalachian Trail near Peaks of Otter: October 17, 2021

 Several folks in the PATC Charlottesville Chapter are working their way across Virginia on the Appalachian Trail in group hikes sponsored by the Chapter.  On October 17th, two groups hiked separate sections of the AT near Buchanan, Virginia, with both ending at the AT's Jennings Creek crossing where the hike leader shuttled drivers back to their cars.  

One group hiked southbound from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Cornelius Creek Shelter 9.2 miles, with an ascent of 1730 feet and a descent of 3880 feet.  A second group hiked northbound from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Bobblett Gap 9.7 miles, with an ascent of 1450 feet and a descent of 2580 feet.  Hikers included Anna Castle, Rosemary Eyre-Brook, Karen Ballen, Margaret Helber, and Brooks Fulton.  Here are pictures taken by Margaret of the northbound hike.