(Trempi Shelter (mile 524.3) - Mount Rogers National Recreation Area HQ (mile 534.3) *overnight in Marion, VA*)

I left camp with Delta, Katie, Jasmine, Meatsuit, and Highlander. It was a beautiful morning, and we made good time over easy terrain. The goal was to make it 10 miles to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area headquarters on VA Route 16 by 2:15pm. A regular bus supposedly stops by every afternoon to shuttle thru-hikers into Marion, where I was planning to zero at the Econolodge.

After 2 miles, we crossed the South Fork of the Holston River on a large foot bridge. A fly fisherman had just arrived and was wading out into the river, and Highlander commented that he surely wouldn’t catch anything this time of day. As we continued on, Meatsuit shared stories of his time as an arborist and electrical lineman, including the numerous times he had suffered terrible shocks working on powerlines. Highlander also shared that this was his second thru-hike attempt. The first time, he ran out of money in Harpers Ferry. This time around, he had saved more money, and was determined to make it to Katahdin, although he was in no rush to get there. I asked him when he thought he might finish, and was surprised when he estimated: “August, maybe September. Really just anytime before mid October when they close Baxter State Park.”

As we hiked on, the group spaced out a bit and I put my headphones in as we climbed an unnamed ridge. I opted for the album “So Long Forever” by Palace. This is a favorite of Anna Claire’s, and I also enjoy it quite a bit. The album is a monument of cinematic alternative rock, full of anthemic, spacey songs that make for a fitting hiking soundtrack. About 2 miles before VA Route 16, we all stopped at an overlook marked with a sign stating: “View of the Rye Valley.” Delta, Meatsuit, and Highlander had decided to join me for a zero day in Marion, and Meatsuit took the opportunity to call and reserve a room at the Econolodge.

About 2 miles later, we reached Partnership shelter, which is located just behind the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area headquarters and a stones throw from VA Route 16. Partnership is one of the largest and best equipped shelters on the AT, with 2 floors, a water spigot, and a hot shower. The shelter is also affectionately known as “the pizza shelter” because pizza shops in Marion will deliver to the trail. In fact, we found take-out menus from multiple restaurants in Marion left at the shelter. On the second floor of the shelter, I found an abandoned ultralight trowel and water bottle bidet attachment. Meatsuit was happy to take the trowel, but he opted to leave the bidet😂

Stopped for lunch at Partnership Shelter AKA “The Pizza Shelter”

We hung out at the shelter for lunch and I basked in the midday sun. At 2:00, we made our way to the road and waited for the shuttle bus on a grassy slope. The 2:15pm shuttle turned into a 3:00pm shuttle, arriving just as we were beginning to give up hope. Our first stop in town was Taco Bell, where we were required to walk through the drive thru to order. We ate sitting on the curb in proper hiker-trash fashion. Apparently, this was Katie and Jasmine’s first time eating at Taco Bell, and I think they both agreed it was love at first bite. We then made our way to Walmart for resupply, and I stopped at Ingles for produce. The goal was to load up on berries and fruit for my zero day. Got to get my vitamins while I can!

Afterwards, Katie and Jasmine headed back to VA Route 16, hoping to hitch back to Partnership Shelter for the evening. Delta, Meatsuit, Highlander, and I made our way to the Econolodge. I had my own room, but the others were hoping to crash in Meatsuit’s room without paying. Check-in went smoothly, but apparently the hotel staff was suspicious. They watched on the hotel camera as Delta and Highlander piled into Meatsuit’s room. The staff called the room and demanded that Delta and Highlander pay.