Andy's 2009 Virginia Photos


Captain Blue's

2009 Virginia
Appalachian Trail Hike

Photos by Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp

 

October 29 - November 1, 2009
AT Section:
VA-42 (Ceres, VA) to Kimberling Creek near I-77

Northbound - 33.1 miles


Andy, Yvonne, Sharon, Tim and Eddie

Click on an image to view a larger image and a description. Waive your pointer over a photo for a description.



The hiking gang starting the hike well after dark at VA-42 near Ceres, VA. 10/29/2009 Our shuttle driver Jeff and his wife. 10/29/2009 Climbing up Brushy Mountain in the dark. 10/29/2009 My tentsite at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009
The gang eating breakfast at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 Eddie at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 Yvonne at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 Sharon at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009
Captain Blue at Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 The trail heading down to Lynn Camp Creek. 10/30/2009 Footbridge over a small stream north of Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009
Small creek north of Knot Maul Shelter. 10/30/2009 Captain Blue. 10/30/2009 Seeds ready to disperse. 10/30/2009 Pine cone. 10/30/2009
Autumn leaves. 10/30/2009 Tim and Eddie after hiking down Lynn Mountain. 10/30/2009 Trail intersection just before Lick Creek. 10/30/2009 A bog bridge is high and dry in the fall. 10/30/2009
Lick Creek. 10/30/2009 Footbridge over Lick Creek. 10/30/2009 Trail on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 The trail goes along this old road on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009
Yvonne taking a break on Chestnut Ridge near the small pond. 10/30/2009 Sharon on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 Captain Blue getting ready to get some water at the small pond on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 Small pond on Chestnut Ridge. Our last water source for the night. 10/30/2009
Captain Blue sterilizing some water using a Steri-Pen using ultraviolet light. 10/30/2009 Sharon sterilizing some water using a Steri-Pen using ultraviolet light. 10/30/2009 Eddie taking a break on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 Eddie is being held down by the terrific force of gravity on Chestnut Ridge. He can't even move a finger. 10/30/2009
View from Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 Sharon, Eddie and Tim get ready to start the final climb to Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Yvonne at a trail marker near Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 The trail goes on this old woods road on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009
The last of the wildflower were still in bloom. 10/30/2009 Tim getting ready to finish the climb on Chestnut Ridge. 10/30/2009 View from Chestnut Knob. 10/30/2009 Yvonne on Chestnut Knob. 10/30/2009
Eddie and Sharon taking one last break before arriving at camp for the night. 10/30/2009 The last of the wildflowers were still in bloom. 10/30/2009 Tree on Chestnut Knob. 10/30/2009 Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009
A small snake we found. 10/30/2009 The moldering privy at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Eddie being held down again by the force of gravity on Chestnut Knob. 10/30/2009 Sharon in Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009
Sharon and Yvonne get a fire started at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Sign on the door of Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Eddie finally breaks free from the gravity and enjoys a hot dinner at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Yvonne and Sharon eating dinner around the campfire at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009
Captain Blue enjoying a cup of Starbucks coffee at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Campfire at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Yvonne and Sharon in Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Eddie at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009
Sunset at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Sitting around the campfire at Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/30/2009 Tim holding the iPhone playing Thriller while Yvonne dances. 10/30/2009 Time to leave Chestnut Knob Shelter. 10/31/2009
Burkes Garden. An oval shaped valley in the mountains. 10/31/2009 Burkes Garden. An oval shaped valley in the mountains. 10/31/2009 Hiking along the narrow ridge of Garden Mountain. 10/31/2009 Eddie on Garden Mountain. 10/31/2009
Captain Blue taking a snack break. 10/31/2009 Wilderness sign. 10/31/2009 Yvonne with Burkes Garden in the background. 10/31/2009 Blueberry plant bright red. 10/31/2009
We encountered these three ladies in costume on Garden Mountain handing out candy on Halloween. 10/31/2009 Captain Blue taking in the rain under a rock enjoying a cup of Starbucks coffee. 10/31/2009 Foggy weather on Garden Mountain. 10/31/2009 Captain Blue on Garden Mountain. 10/31/2009
Worm fossils in the rocks on Garden Mountain. 10/31/2009 View overlooking Burkes Garden. 10/31/2009 Sharon using an umbrella in the rain. 10/31/2009 Cow skull on the sign near Davis Path campsite. 10/31/2009
Rocky path below ridge on the way to Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 Sharon and Yvonne descending to Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 A sign at Jenkins Shelter asking people not to burn plastic. 10/31/2009 The gang is settling in at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009
Tim enjoying a snack in the rain at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 Yvonne putting on wet boots while her dry socks are wrapped in a stuff sack. 10/31/2009 Suppertime at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 Eddie drying out some clothes over the fire at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009
The gang poses for a group photo at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 Yvonne and Sharon dance to Thriller on the picnic table at Jenkins Shelter. 10/31/2009 Sharon dances with the shelter broom at Jenkins Shelter. Lord help us. 10/31/2009 Eddie at the shelter sign. 11/1/2009
Hunting Camp Creek. 11/1/2009 Sharon on the bridge over Hunting Camp Creek. 11/1/2009 Appalachian Trail sign. 11/1/2009 Tim on the relocated part of the trail. 11/1/2009
Sharon takes a break. 11/1/2009 Yvonne taking a break. 11/1/2009 Captain Blue taking a break. 11/1/2009 A rhododendron tunnel north of VA-615. 11/1/2009
Trail Boss trail junction north of VA-615. 11/1/2009 View of US-52 and I-77. 11/1/2009 Yvonne and Sharon descend down a forest road to I-77. 11/1/2009 Crossing I-77. 11/1/2009

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