Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap – Ice Storm Aftermath – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was a 2 Day planned section hike from Reeds Gap to Rockfish Gap with a stay at the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter. This would have been an easy 19.1 mile hike if it had not been for severe ice damage to the trees from a recent ice storm. I was not aware that the damage had been so bad. The video and pictures do the damage no justice at all. The trail was nearly impassible in many places with downed trees every 100 yards or so on the back (North) side of Humpback Mountain all the way to Rockfish Gap. I had to crawl on my hands and knees a number of times and there was a whole lot of bushwhacking to get around the giant mess. My average trail speed was about 0.7mph. I had many mixed emotions along this hike, from pretty low lows as darkness approached and I was nowhere near the shelter in a tangled pile of trees to some feel good views and the happy greeting of the Gnome Village around AT mile 861.1. Apologies for the shaky video - this was the 1st time I used FILMIC Pro and I left the stabilization off...any tips on best setting for an iPhone 6 would be appreciated.  :)