McAfee Knob

Brandon is on the trail . . . again! Taylor (his brother) and I dropped him off in Catawba, VA (700 miles north of Springer Mt., GA) on Friday, June 17th --- right where his girlfriend, Michelle, picked him up 3 weeks earlier on Friday, May 27th. We watched with awe and admiration as Brandon methodically prepared to head out on the trail --- checking his pack, adjusting straps and hiking poles, etc. I could just imagine him going through these purposeful and adept movements each and every morning for the last 700 miles. He looked as if he had the routine down to a science and could probably do it in his sleep!

3.7 miles northward, Brandon arrived at McAfee Knob the most photographed vista on the Appalachian Trail. McAfee Knob has an elevation of 1,740 feet and an almost 270 degree view of the Catawba Valley and North Mountain to the West, Tinker Cliffs to the North, and the Roanoke Valley to the East. The picture above is Brandon sitting on the edge!

Brandon seems to be doing well and is happy to be back out on the trail. The severe storms that plagued the first part of his trip are continuing to impede his daily mileage. He seemed disappointed today that he had to cut his hike short of the 20 miles he had hoped for and settle for 14. El Perro is itching to get some major miles under his belt and cross the VA border. We're all wishing you blue skies and safe travels!

A few pictures of Brandon heading out and from McAfee Knob.