Outbound into wintry woods CANCELLED

The mice and their best-laid plans have scurried back to hide in their cozy burrows. Why?

• Weather forecast, already at my limits, has taken a further downward turn -- the rain is now forecast to be snow.
• The Rebel Alliance is beating the war drums again, calling us to suit up and sharpen our virtual pens. This is a final push to stop #RyanDoesNotCare before it even gets to the Senate. Given the latest OMG's from the White House regarding powerful German women and out-of=the-closet Austrian Nazis, I feel obliged to some more nonviolent advocacy. Especially since my district reelected a fencesitter Republican to represent us in Congress. 
• I volunteered to bring a kale salad for the trail repair crew weekend.
• I have a sinus headache.
• I don't feel like it. 

Another day.  Next planned trip starts April 3.

A little more challenging solo walk this week than usual ... a considerable number of ridges to climb over (by East Coast standards) and a forecast night of rain followed by a night of subfreezing temperatures.

So here's my itinerary. After the hike, I plan to go straight to the trail repair crew work weekend at Old Rag Cabin, which does not have any cell service. All considering, I may be off the grid for the entire week.

Please do not send the rangers out looking for me. They have more important things to worry about than searching the trails. If I can get a connection from the trail, I will post updates; if not, I will post them after I return to Round Hill on Sunday, March 26.

Not to worry! As my mentor says, it's not wilderness. If I have any trouble, I can walk down to Skyline Drive and hitch my way back to civilization.  Hope you have as much fun this week as I am expecting!


-->

Location	Est arrival date	Notes
Jarman Gap parking	Mon, March 20	Ion drop off, shuttle
Swift Run Gap	Mon, March 20	Hike start
Hightop Hut	Mon, March 20	First camp
Powell Gap	Tue, March 21
Simmons Gap Ranger Sta	Tue, March 21
Weaver Mountain	Tue, March 21
Pinefield Hut	Tue, March 21	Second camp
Loft Mtn Wayside	Wed, March 22
Loft Mtn Cgd	Wed, March 22	Third camp
Doyles R. Cabin.parking	Thu, March 23
Jones Run Falls Thd	Thu, March 23
Blackrock Hut	Thu, March 23	Fourth camp
Riprap Trl parking	Fri, March 24
Wildcat Ridge Trl parking	Fri, March 24
Turk MtnTrail parking	Fri, March 24
Jarman Gap parking	Fri, March 24	Hike finish
Shuttle service	Mon, March 20
Adam Stanley (aka Stanimal)
540-290-4002
Hike will be on main AT (white blaze) except for detour to see Jones Run Falls