Day 156/September 4

Miles hiked: 16.0 in 8:37

Start: Thomas Knob Shelter, VA

Finish: Mile 1708.0, stealth tent site, VA

Elevation gain: 2,028'

Early morning view from Thomas Knob.

I love these open balds.

When I got to bald, all I could think was, "Wow, what a spot for a links golf course. It would have a million-dollar view, as seen below:

Damn, almost makes me want to be a cow.

The best tip that I received. Many of the water sources are quite dry now, with barely a trickle of water. But if you take a Rhododendron leaf and lay it in the stream bed and extend the stem over a rock, then you can easily and quickly fill your tall SmartWater bottle.