[at-l] SW VA Trail conditions

["David Hicks" <daveh@usit.net>]

Friday, another maintainer & I hiked up to the Chestnut Knob Shelter and did
a recon the ridge and adjacent area (4,409ft), in prep for a work trip
scheduled for next weekend.

The trail has drifts up to your waist.  Actually, we were off the trail a
few times to avoid even higher drifts.   The road is snow covered up to your
calves, w/ drifts knee-high or higher.

In the morning and up to about 1:30, it was clear and we had spectacular
views of Burks Garden, Big Walker Mountain, Beartown Ridge, etc.  With the
trees leafless and the snow outlining every ridge, fold, stream, and field,
there were views that you'll never see in summer.

Then the snow started.  By 2:30 we had near whiteout conditions on top and
started down.  It snowed heavily all that afternoon and Friday night, w/ a
good wind.  So, I expect the drifts could be worst by now.

BTW -- we canceled the work trip.

Chainsaw



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