AT - Audie Murphy Section, February 6, 2022

 After tackling the AT Dragon's Tooth section on Saturday, the PATC hikers hiking the Virginia AT continued south on Sunday to complete from Trout Creek to Craigs Creek - known as the Audie Murphy Section because the trail passes a memorial for the WWII fighter who died in a plane crash nearby in 1971.  A couple of "other halves" joined Saturday hikers on Sunday, and RATC trail stalwart Dave Horst joined our group and told us about trail work and bridge construction he participated in on these sections of the AT.  He is also a retired veterinarian, which meant some interesting discussions with the Chapter's hiker-vet.

The hike started by climbing a north slope into the Brush Mtn East Wilderness Area, which slowed the group down as they navigated snow and ice on the ascent.  The group was eight hikers, within the 10 person limit for groups in a wilderness area. (Link.)

Fortunately, the really treacherous sections were only a small percentage of the hike, and everyone had traction devices.  A couple of hikers chose to use them, while others navigated without stopping to put them on.  Snow and ice was more prevelent on the Sunday hike than it had been on the Saturday hike.

We had been warned on Saturday, though, as we encountered two NB thru-hikers who told us they had walked a tightrope around snow in several spots.  They also said that Friday was the first day they saw anything but snow under their feet, dating back to early January.  Believe it or not - they started their hike in December!

The group also encountered another trail club hiking group on the trail, from the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club.  

Once the hikers reached the ridge top, the ice was gone, though there were more icy areas on the ascent.  Everyone lunched at the monument, which had wooden benches and was almost exactly at the halfway point of the hike.  Of the PATC hikers, only the hike leader had completed this trail section in the past, and his memory was that this was a pretty dull section of trail compared with others in the area.  That recollection was wrong!  The views were wonderful, thanks in no small part to leaf-less trees.  It was a delightful hike, and temperatures were very pleasant.