Where Did Everyone Go?? 🦎 Appalachian Trail 2023

Hey y’all! I crossed the 1/4 mark and went three whole days without seeing another NoBo thru-hiker. I stayed at a shelter completely by myself and of course, deer came through camp multiple times throughout the night and I was CONVINCED they were bears every time. I got lonely and went to Weary Feet Hostel a day early.
Covering Days 44-46 of my Appalachian Trail thru-hike from Adkins, VA to Bland, VA!
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Thank you 🦎🦎🦎

[@barryparris91]

The thing you climbed to get over the fence is called a stile.

[@LizardLopes]

Thank you!! I knew I had read the word before but it wasn’t coming to me!

[@barryparris91]

@@LizardLopes You're welcome. I learned the word way back in the 1950s from this nursery rhyme: There was a crooked man and he went a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile; He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all liv'd together in a little crooked house.

[@lonleyndn]

@@barryparris91 LOLOLOLOL!!!! MAN, I haven't heard that one in a LOOOOOONG time! Had almost lost it. Thanks for bringing it back 🙂

[@barryparris91]

@@lonleyndn Glad you enjoyed it. For some reason that one never left me.

[@michaelkamph727]

Great video!

[@Bluegrassterrapin]

Virginia is very pretty rolling hills, mountain ranges and ridges and resembles my homestate of Vermont very much. And I wouldn't mind hiking and being alone as I usually do in the mountains and woods. I find it peaceful and like just being one with nature. Though I do get what you're saying and it strange to not see other NOBO's in 3 days time. Glad you are staying for couple days someplace and giving knees a rest and getting out of the cold and givingyour kneesa rest. We did have some very chilly nights the last couple of weeks here in these southern Appalachian Mtns. Keep smiling and being woods happy Kels. And congrats on being 1/4:of the way there 👍 Safe happy hiking girl 👣💚✌️🍀👣🦎🌄

[@LizardLopes]

I bet you’re still having some chill in VT! Can’t wait to get there.

[@Bluegrassterrapin]

@Kels “Lizard” Gerig I actually moved from Vermont to The Western The N.C. Mtns almost 9 years and live just a few miles south of Franklin N.C. now..lol... And the springtime weather in Vermont is warm days and chilly nights usually. My daughter's who live up there were sweltering in unusual summery 90s a couple weeks back in April. You'll love the scenery up there but not the muck n mud.

[@parallax8322]

I've been feeling the same way! I'm up at Pearisburg atm and have been astounded at how few NOBO thru hikers im running into. Ever since Damascus its like a switch was flipped and I feel like im only really seeing section hikers atm, and mostly SOBO

[@LizardLopes]

Aren’t the little gaps weird?? I ran into a few more but only hit “bubbles” at the big name hostels now.

[@edubs9828]

Hello! You were on my homepage for suggested videos. Subscribed! Keep being rad!

[@LizardLopes]

Thanks for being here!

[@jamesadams2334]

The structures to climb over fences are called Stiles. You are hiking so strong and seem to be settling into a thru hiker lifestyle. You're hiking great and your videos are super. I think that sink hole was formed from a meteor strike and if you look at the valley from up top by the shelter, you can see almost the complete circle. BTW, the shelter was built as a hunting camp. Thank you for taking us along. Still smiling! geek

[@LizardLopes]

Yes, that’s it!! Thank you for your kind words ☺️

[@troykeeling4490]

Nice video. I was in a gap between Gatlinburg to Damascus with no one but a straggler day hiker. Next, from the first Blue Ridge road crossing to Delaware Water Gap, no one.Bringing back great memories. Thanks.

[@LizardLopes]

So funny! From Gatlinburg and for the next 3-4 nights, each shelter only had two other people in them. I kept expecting the Smoky shelters to be busy and they weren’t in my gap!

[@boxman48patrickcasey32]

Watching you with the dog tells me everything I need to know about your character...you're cranking out some good miles...keep up the great work!!!

[@LizardLopes]

That’s the kindest comment! I love dogs and I miss my two so deeply!

[@tvtoms]

"A bridge between pastures" is how I learned what a stile was before seeing one.

[@LizardLopes]

That’s exactly what it is, but I never thought about it that way!

[@Craigsoutdooradventures]

You looked so cosy in that bunk house

[@LizardLopes]

It was so nice!!

[@MrMorton]

Congratulations on 1/4! You're doing so well! I know these videos are delayed several weeks but I'm really surprised by the chilly weather. Hope it gets more comfortable 🌸

[@LizardLopes]

Thank you! They’re slightly delayed but I’ve definitely still had some chilly days!

[@williamking2249]

It is weird that you've fallen between the Nobo groups. I think someone once said they add new gnomes to that fairy collection on trail. Good to see you had nice weather, great views. Congrats on 1/4 way behind you. I hope you run into hikers. Have fun 👋🌲

[@LizardLopes]

Thanks!!

[@preacher1511]

Hey Lizard, congrats on a quarter of the way. I'm like you, not a big fan of several days of solo. I am a people person too and enjoy company for the most part, with the occasional solos to get out of the drama and clear my head. Something else I am not a fan of is the gnome gardens/villages along the trail. I know lots of folks will disagree but it doesn't seem very LNT to me. Same as graffiti in my book. Oh well, to each their own. I just leave it alone and keep going. I know you are near Audrey on the AT. If you run into her, she seems very nice and a seasoned hiker. Nothing wrong with slack packing. I too have had knee surgery and have several years on you. Take advantage of a break and the hospitality of others. God bless.

[@LizardLopes]

Thanks Preacher! I’ll keep an eye out for her!

[@movinondownthetrail]

I dropped off trail and went home.

[@LizardLopes]

Hope you’re doing well! You accomplished big miles!

[@GreenTeaDigital]

Any chance your face is swelling because you're allergic to a down bag?

[@LizardLopes]

Luckily, I don’t think that’s it but I have heard that’s common! Fairly sure mine is from sodium/food.

[@markcummings6856]

Cute dog. Worth an extra night just to have it’s company.

[@LizardLopes]

I’m bummed I didn’t get video of her other dog… I got puppy love from both sweeties!

[@mikemoore4016]

When crossing streems, please undo your chest strap 😮

[@LizardLopes]

Oops 🫠