SOLO HIKE: VIRGINIA TRIPLE CROWN PT. III

Author: Jonathan Slider

​“Nameless” and Jake were no longer with me as I headed toward the North Mountain trail. Upon entering the trailhead I was met by a tall, slender man dressed in camouflage from head to toe. We immediately locked eyes, and straight out of an old Western we froze for an instant, waiting for the other’s next move. I, obviously not a hunter, and he, meandering with a hunting bow in lieu of backpacking gear, found ourselves viewing the other as a deterrent of each other’s chosen activity. “Well,” he said with an obvious annoyance, “This is public property, so we both can be here.” Well that was nice to know, so I did’t have to fear being shot ol’ Deliverance style. “Heck, you’ll probably scare them my way!” he yelled as we went in separate directions. Oh, so now I am a loud oaf clunking through the woods, scaring all wildlife I encounter!? The nerve of that guy. I looked back a few times just to make sure that there were no arrows flying in my direction. After I was confident that I wasn't going to be shot at I was able to concentrate on the trail ahead.

I knew that rain was coming overnight and would continue all morning and into the afternoon. I had to make a decision as to how much further I was going to go. I had already hiked 10 miles from the previous night’s shelter to the almost “give-up” point. Looking at my map I had a minimum of 3 miles to go before my first possible campsite. I would make the decision once I ascended the ridge located 1500 feet above me. 

​Here is the thing about hiking alone: you have plenty of opportunities to dialogue with yourself and play multiple scenarios out. To say that I knew what I was going to do until I did would have been a lie. I kept going back and forth depending if I was on an incline or flat ground. I eventually made it to the top of the ridge, but not before seeing wild turkeys (take that Elmer Fudd). After evaluating my life, I decided to push on and go as far as I possibly could allowing enough time to setup camp and eat dinner before sunset. 

​Six-and-a-half miles and 1,700 feet of elevation gain since leaving Nameless and Jake, I finally arrived at my makeshift campsite. It took about fifteen minutes for it to sink in, but I had successfully hiked the Virginia Triple Crown. I needed to world to know! So I stood up and at yelled at the top of my lungs, “I JUST HIKED THE VIRGINIA TRIPLE CROWN!” followed by chanting WWE Superstar John Cena’s entry theme. I quickly set up my camp and prepared to cook my dinner. 

Now, the experts say to cook and eat food at least an hour before sunset on the chance that there are animals around camp. I was pushing it with my time, as I had about thirty minutes before the sun dropped below the horizon. I wasn't worried, since up to this point I hadn’t noticed any signs of wildlife other than the usual birds, squirrels, and turkeys from earlier. I had just finished boiling my water and sealing up the bag of freeze dried food, when all of a sudden I caught a glimpse of a large black figure out of the corner of my eye. I turned to face it, only to lock eyes with a black bear standing on its hind legs fifteen feet away. Next thing I know I am standing as tall as I can banging my trek poles and yelling as loud as I can. How the poles got into my hand, I cannot tell you. If the bear could talk I bet he would have said, “Oh $#!&, this dude is for real!” He then turned and took off in a sprint. Before I could see how far he ran I noticed another black blur up in a tree slightly to my right. TWO BEARS!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW!?! I didn’t have the chance to give another Oscar winning performance, because when I turned towards the second bear he fell out of the tree about six feet, landed on his back, quickly sprang up, and bolted out of there. I had just survived my first bear encounter. 

​I had signal on my phone and completed just a little shy of academic quality research on black bears to make sure that I would be okay for the rest of the night. I quickly ate my dinner, hopped into my tent and surprisingly fell asleep rather quickly. I guess adrenaline drains are one way to help the body and mind relax. 

I knew that the next day I was going to hike the rest of the North Mountain trail and find a way back to my vehicle, ending my trip two days earlier than planned. I was okay with that. I did it. I accomplished what I sought out to do. 

​I woke up to pouring rain and 46-degree weather, which felt more like 36 degrees. After hiking 6 miles out, I got off trail and walked about a half mile along the road to a local gas station. I was able to contact the owner of a local hostel that provided a rather enjoyable ride back to my van. He told me story after story of his many mountain man experiences and interactions with the thousands of A.T. thru hikers. I was able to thaw out and warm just before arriving at my parked vehicle, which was still there and not vandalized by a pack of terrorizing raccoons (they can be merciless). 

​I quickly changed into dry clothes, loaded up the ride, and began my journey home. 

​It wasn’t pretty, but I learned a lot in those four days of hiking. It was good to hike alone. It was good to hike with people. It was good to be uncomfortable. It was good to second guess my planning. it was good to push myself. Overall, it was good.

To experience my trip, at a glance, check out my Instagram Story Highlight.