[at-l] Damascus Red Eye (50m. on AT) May 18

[sloetoe@yahoo.com (Sloetoe)]

"Damascus Red-Eye Fat Ass 50 Mile
Damascus, Virginia          00:00            Sat. May18th
50 miles (southbound) along Appalachian Trail, from Troutdate to
Damascus, Virginia, over steep forest roads, exposed ridges (for
sunrise!), past wild ponies, and down through rugged cobble
and/or the Virginia Creeper (small gauge) RR route. Regular road
crossings and trail H2O, but no support; no wimps, whiners, etc.
Tom McGinnis 93 S. Butler Avenue Indy IN 46219;
sloetoe@yahoo.com"



WHAT/WHEN:
In conjunction with the timing of Damascus, Virginia's Trail
Days celebration this year (May 10-19), 
http://www.traildays.org
I AM PLANNING TO RUN THE 50 MILES (49.2?) OF THE APPALACHIAN
TRAIL between Troutdale, Virginia and Damascus
BETWEEN 00:00 AND 12:00 ON SATURDAY, May 19TH.
 
THE ROUTE:
The Appalachian Trail through most of this area is over well
established broad footbed, with some extended areas of exposed
cobble ('horse trail' rocky).
This run will involve 4-5 hours of night running with no moon
(new moon occurs 6 days prior), and then 6-7 hours of daylight,
through some areas of spectacularly remote and open country
(Virginia's Grayson Highlands, Mount Rogers (over 5,729'; VA's
highest point), Elk Garden and Whitetop (both very high and
open). The potential for stargazing/meteor dodging is definitely
there, as is the potential for confronting stormy weather over
an extended route that runs where the sky meets the land. And
just THINK about that sunrise...
For the amount of climb/fall that you might find on paper, I
would *not* call this area particularly rough. (There is some
significant ankle-busting cobble within the last 10 miles,
though.) It might be characterized as an "M" trail, with steeper
climbs at either end, and much lesser climb/falls between
extended exposed ridges. (I can confirm for you that the last
big drop into Damascus is a doozy.) The route is well watered,
with springs/creeks/leantos every 4-8 miles. Lastly, the route
crosses highways at 4-5 points, and with the hiking crowd
trafficing in and out of Damascus, your stashing of supplies,
running a shorter stretch or hitching a ride will be a snap.

WHY:
A really great way to prep for a 100, during a *very* special
time to be in Damascus. As with a hundred miler, you get to do
(somewhat) extended night running *and* the sunrise thing, and
be hitting Damascus in time for the famed Hiker Parade (and
certainly in the right frame of mind).

A PLANNING POINT:
As prior to previous Trail Days runs, it would be my intention
to leave Quincy's (Pizza) in Damascus late Friday, holding as
much pizza/beer as hedonistic descency will allow. A one hour
drive should bring you to Troutdale, and you're off! 10-12 hours
later, you pull into Quincy's ready for the first beer of the day.

=====
Spatior! Nitor! Nitor! Tempero!
   Pro Pondera Et Meliora.

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