Waynesboro, VA (USA)

Up early and on trail at 0700. Had hoped to get some miles in along Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive but both were closed for the weather. Made the best of things and hiked SOBO from US-250 (where they cross). Saw the sun rising above peaks in the distance and disturbed a sleepy owl. I made good time in the snow and crossed several streams that were frozen completely solid - even walked on water! It wasn't windy today, fortunately. Made it all the way to the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter. It was only then that I realized how cold it was: my iPhone shut off when I took a picture and wouldn't turn on again - got a warning about temperature. It had been about 10 degrees F when I left the car but must have gotten colder as I walked. Basically, everything that could freeze on me, including sweat running down the inside of my pants, turned to ice. My beard felt funny too, but I was glad I had it for insulation. Sadly, got no additional photos... Hurried back to my starting point and followed Skyline Drive (across I-64) until I reached the Shenandoah National Park entrance. Right about then, the forecasted winter storm arrived in Waynesboro and I spent the rest of the hike in swirling snow. Happy to get back in my car... It took about 30 minutes for the tingling in my extremities to stop. Headed back to DC (via US-29, I-66 and I-495) with 12 miles of hiking under my belt - what a good weekend! Total AT today = 6.01 miles / G.T. = 348.06 miles.