Today's Progress

Note from Admin: Fisher and Forest are in another area that is notorious for its lack of cell signal support. This post is pulled together from Spot signals, Trail maps, GPS maps and current weather reports. We will note any corrections and post any missing information as it becomes available.

The Spot signal went off a little before noon today, placing Fisher and Forest about halfway between Saunders Shelter and Lost Mountain Shelter. We assume that they stopped there to wait for the heat of the day to pass, and resumed hiking later.

The following special weather statement issued today for the Damascus area warned of strong thunderstorms, with hail, high winds, torrential rainfall and frequent cloud to ground lightning. Because today's hike was across a ridgeline, we are sure that Fisher waited for any such storms to pass and sought safe shelter, as necessary.

 

At about 7:15 p.m., we received another Spot notification placing Fisher and Forest a little farther along the Trail, at the Creek Junction Trailhead of the Virginia Creeper Trail. Trailheads are typically at parking areas where day, section and thru hikers can pick up transportation. This does not mean that they left the area, but they may have been sheltered in a rest area or vehicle. We will have to stay tuned to find out the details, as this is all simple speculation based on available information and past behavior.

With 2-3 days of food remaining, Fisher will have to be aggressive in the coming days to reach his resupply point in Troutdale. The following map shows the Trail in red and blue blaze trails in blue. The Saunders Shelter is the yellow shelter symbol farthest to the left, and the next yellow shelter symbol is Lost Mountain Shelter. The destination for this section of the hike is Dickey Creek Gap (Route 16) to Troutdale, which is illustrated by the yellow hostel symbol farthest to the right.