🧵4/4
[Note: I have since heard that the proposed road project has never been completed, but the AT still follows the new route.]

From my book Then the Hail Came (A Humorous and Truthful Account of a 1983 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike).
You can read or listen to my book for free if you are a Kindle Unlimited eBook or an Audible Plus audiobook subscriber. Both options are available from Amazon, where the paperback, eBook or audiobook can also be purchased: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6

🧵3/4
Then the state decided to build a skyline drive over that route. The current trail meandered a leisurely eight miles, drifting across a green and constantly-changing landscape.

🧵2/4
The Appalachian Trail wandered an incredibly circuitous course from Rhododendron Gap, where I left my film, to Pine Mountain. The old AT, now a blue-blazed side trail, once connected the two points with two easy miles of level ridge walk.

🧵1/4
August 4, 1983, 43 years ago today: Took a few days off at home.

From June 10, 1983, 43 years ago today: I was about a mile down the Wilburne Ridge Trail when I realized that my exposed roll of film was still sitting on that outcrop in Rhododendron Gap. The trip back and forth to retrieve it added two more unofficial miles to my day.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #AppalachianTrail

🧵4/4
It followed the ridge crest over several rocky, grassy summits which the AT merely skirted.

More of My 1983 Appalachian Trail Hike in Photos at https://www.georgesteffanos.com/places-i-ve-been

Note: I'm finally starting to work on my hiking blog for my aborted August hike. I'll have a link soon. A hard fall on a steep descent cut short my plans for a six-week hike after one great week. This will put off my sequel AT hike until 2027, but there will be new hikes this year.

🧵3/4
I decided to tackle the Wilburne Ridge Trail from that point rather than staying on the Appalachian Trail. This path was longer and considerably more difficult than the AT, but much more scenic.

🧵2/4
My next side trip was a climb to the top of a rocky outcrop in Rhododendron Gap, a mile-and-a-quarter later. I finished off the roll of film in my camera and put a new one in before moving on.

🧵1/4
August 4, 1983, 43 years ago today: Took a few days off at home.
From June 10, 1983: Mount Rogers' peak had no views, but I spent ten minutes savoring the sights and sweet aroma of a very New England-like woodland and feeling just a little bit homesick.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #virginia #mountains #nature #AppalachianTrail

Blogue de la Révolution Verte
https://www.revolutionverte.fr/2015/11/blog-sur-lecologie-et-le-developpement.html?spref=tw
#marketingtips #marketing #blog #blogue #blogging #soutenable #durable #nature #phytotherapie #plantes #medicinale #jardinage #jardin #technologies #tech #innovation #innovante #nature #biologique #circulaire #recyclerie #bio

Forest crossroads, Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden, Connecticut. July 27, 2026, 3:22 PM.

#hiking #photography #outdoors #landscapephotography #nature #Connecticut #summer #forest #trail #summertime

Streaks of gold and silver sunset, Scoville Reservoir, Wolcott, Connecticut. June 8, 2020, 7:56 PM.

#hiking #photography #outdoors #landscapephotography #nature #Connecticut #summer #forest #sunset #sunsetphotography #lake #summertime

You can read or listen to my book for free if you are a Kindle Unlimited eBook or an Audible Plus audiobook subscriber. Both options are available from Amazon, where the paperback, eBook or audiobook can also be purchased.

🧵4/4
Many stretches were overgrown, and the route was constantly blocked by fallen trees. It was slow going most of the way to the bottom of that descent, where the Appalachian Trail crossed Tennessee Highway 19E.

From my book Then the Hail Came (A Humorous and Truthful Account of a 1983 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike). Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6

🧵3/4
From this large, level meadow were great views southward into North Carolina, and, to the west, one last excellent farewell look at Hump Mountain’s summit. From Doll Flats, the Appalachian Trail descended north off the state line ridge into Tennessee, and I said goodbye to North Carolina as well. Two states down.

The path was a recent relocation; the soft ground, not yet compacted by foot traffic, kept crumbling away beneath my boots.

🧵2/4
Obviously, southbounders will remember the climb up Hump Mountain just as northbounders remember the ascent of Roan. The east slope of Hump was densely forested from a point just below the summit and beyond; however, the Appalachian Trail broke out into the clear one last time, one mile later, at a place called Doll Flats.

🧵1/4
August 3, 1983, 43 years ago today: Took a few days off at home.

From June 3, 1983: I sat on top of Hump Mountain for almost an hour, drinking in views. The climb down was long and very steep.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography #NorthCarolina #Tennessee #mountains #nature #forest #AppalachianTrail

Note: I'm finally starting to work on my hiking blog for my aborted August hike. I'll have a link soon. A hard fall on a steep descent cut short my plans for a six-week hike after one great week. This will put off my sequel AT hike until 2027, but there will be new hikes this year.

🧵2/2
The east side, as I descended into Bradley Gap, was somewhat more overgrown, but still had frequent viewpoints overlooking the trail ahead to the summit of Hump Mountain.

More of My 1983 Appalachian Trail Hike in Photos at https://www.georgesteffanos.com/places-i-ve-been

🧵1/2
August 3, 1983, 43 years ago today: Took a few days off at home.

From June 3, 1983: There were unbroken vistas from the trail all along the west slope of Little Hump Mountain to its summit.

#backpacking #hiking #landscapephotography #NorthCarolina #nature #mountains #Tennessee #forest #AppalachianTrail

One of my favorite places in autumn. Mill River, Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden, Connecticut. October 25, 2023, 12:21 PM.

#hiking #photography #outdoors #landscapephotography #nature #Connecticut #autumn #forest #autumnvibes #river