Day 1 – Slackpacking Virginia – Flames & Friends AT Hike #16
Hike #1 Virginia – Dickey Gap to Fox Creek 8.5 Miles 2,470 gain and 2,300 loss
Yesterday, I embarked on a journey from Pittsburgh to Damascus, Virginia, on my 3rd Appalachian Trail Slackpacking trip with Adventures in Good Company. Despite encountering several storms along the way, the trip was mostly uneventful. I arrived at the Rivers Edge home in downtown Damascus just in time to unpack and join everyone at the dinner table. Our guides, Sharon and Kaitlyn, prepared a delicious lasagna, and I had the pleasure of getting to know some of the ladies. After dinner, I enjoyed a pleasant walk through town before prepping my backpack and heading to bed in anticipation of our first day on the trail.
The next morning, the smell of maple syrup filled the air as the ten of us gathered for breakfast. We then headed down the street to meet Lumpy, our shuttle driver. It’s been a long time since I felt car sick, but today that familiar feeling returned and stayed with me through the first hour of our hike. Our hiking journey started under a canopy of rhododendrons, moved through rolling hills, and ended with a nice climb. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know everyone along the way.
As Labor Day and Day 1 in Virginia drew to a close, we enjoyed a delicious cookout. I had the pleasure of learning more about our guide, Kaitlyn, who hails from the Boston area. She’s not only a firefighter and paramedic but also a grill connoisseur and an expert at starting an amazing fire for our s’mores. So, here is something interesting that I learned:
What do you think is the number one reason someone becomes a hoarder?
The answer: When a parent passes away.
So, how does a hoarder impact a firefighter? Obstructed exits, falling objects, and excessive loads can lead to structural collapse. When you think about it, the clutter can delay evacuation and increase the risk of injury or entrapment for both occupants and firefighters.
As the fire crackled and the flames lit up the night, I thought of my mother and how lucky we are to have her in our lives. I can understand why someone wouldn’t want to throw anything away from a parent, and how they would want to savor every single memory and possibly begin to hoard.
It’s a reminder of the importance of cherishing our loved ones while keeping our homes safe. Just like the flames of a fire, life moves swiftly and unpredictably. One moment, the fire is a small flicker, and the next, it’s a roaring blaze. Similarly, our lives can change in an instant, and it’s crucial to appreciate every moment and memory we have.
