Miles today: 6.3
Total miles: 342.0
Got up early this morning and headed down the trail to Nolichucky Hostel, or "Uncle Johnny's," as it's also known. This place deserves the sketchy reputation that it has. But as far as hostels go, it'll do. Cheap bunk, shuttles to town. They also have bicycles so this dude Hambone and I took bikes into town. Rode in, did the usual laundry and resupply, and made a few phone calls. Back at the hostel I met a few guys from my hometown of Kalamazoo, MI. We drank beer and talked about the Detroit Tigers. Small world.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Day 27: 4/27/12
Miles today: 20.7
Total miles: 335.7
Nice hike today. Hit Big Bald early on, great views, even if it was hazy. Then hiked until dark, put in a lot of miles today. Heading into Erwin, TN for resupply tomorrow.
Staying at No Business Knob shelter.
Total miles: 335.7
Nice hike today. Hit Big Bald early on, great views, even if it was hazy. Then hiked until dark, put in a lot of miles today. Heading into Erwin, TN for resupply tomorrow.
Staying at No Business Knob shelter.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Day 26: 4/26/12
Miles today: 14.7
Total miles: 315.0
Rain. A mudslidey, slippery slog through the rain. But it's ok; today's hike is over and tomorrow's a new day.
Staying at Hogback Ridge shelter.
Total miles: 315.0
Rain. A mudslidey, slippery slog through the rain. But it's ok; today's hike is over and tomorrow's a new day.
Staying at Hogback Ridge shelter.
Day 25: 4/25/12
Miles today: 15.4
Total miles: 300.3
I am more exhausted tonight than I've been since my first week on the trail. Rocky cliffs and ridges made for fun climbing but sapped all my energy. Today's hike took everything I had. I got to camp, set up my tent, ate dinner, then lay down and am ready to sleep. I'll read a little until I pass out. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
Camped near Jerry Cabin shelter
Total miles: 300.3
I am more exhausted tonight than I've been since my first week on the trail. Rocky cliffs and ridges made for fun climbing but sapped all my energy. Today's hike took everything I had. I got to camp, set up my tent, ate dinner, then lay down and am ready to sleep. I'll read a little until I pass out. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
Camped near Jerry Cabin shelter
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Day 24: 4/24/12
Miles today: 11.0
Total miles: 284.9
Left town at 10am, immediate tough climb up a rocky cliff side, nice hiking, felt good.
At around 2500 ft I was walking down the trail minding my own business when I began to hear a "cheep cheep cheep cheep..." then a bird jumped in front me onto the trail. I figured it was a bluejay or something, been a lot of those lately. But upon a closer look, it was a tiny fuzzy duckling, tripping and falling and crossing the trail, then toppling down the hill. Then about 10-12 more awkward ducklings came tumbling down from above the trail, clumsily crossed the trail, then spilled down the hill, one at a time. "cheep cheep cheep cheep..." I didn't see a mama duck but I'm guessing these were brand-new ducks leaving the nest for the first time, heading down the hill to the river for the first time. It's the only explanation I have for those little ducklings being 2500 feet above the water. Pretty cool thing to see. I took a video, I'll upload it once I have better signal.
Rest of the day was a grind. Good to be back on the trail. Stayed at Spring Mtn shelter. Rain forecasted for the next few days, but trying for mile 300 tomorrow.
Total miles: 284.9
Left town at 10am, immediate tough climb up a rocky cliff side, nice hiking, felt good.
At around 2500 ft I was walking down the trail minding my own business when I began to hear a "cheep cheep cheep cheep..." then a bird jumped in front me onto the trail. I figured it was a bluejay or something, been a lot of those lately. But upon a closer look, it was a tiny fuzzy duckling, tripping and falling and crossing the trail, then toppling down the hill. Then about 10-12 more awkward ducklings came tumbling down from above the trail, clumsily crossed the trail, then spilled down the hill, one at a time. "cheep cheep cheep cheep..." I didn't see a mama duck but I'm guessing these were brand-new ducks leaving the nest for the first time, heading down the hill to the river for the first time. It's the only explanation I have for those little ducklings being 2500 feet above the water. Pretty cool thing to see. I took a video, I'll upload it once I have better signal.
Rest of the day was a grind. Good to be back on the trail. Stayed at Spring Mtn shelter. Rain forecasted for the next few days, but trying for mile 300 tomorrow.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Day 23: 4/23/12
Miles today: 0.0
Total miles: 273.9
Took my first "zero day" today to rest. I didn't really want to take the day off, but I've been hiking for three straight weeks so it was time to rest, if only for good measure. So it was a day of quiet, of reading books, being bored, etc. Looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow.
Total miles: 273.9
Took my first "zero day" today to rest. I didn't really want to take the day off, but I've been hiking for three straight weeks so it was time to rest, if only for good measure. So it was a day of quiet, of reading books, being bored, etc. Looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow.
Day 22: 4/22/12
Miles today: 3.2
Total miles: 273.9
Today Gravy, Animal, and I got up early and hoofed through the morning rain a few miles to Hot Springs, a little trail town that's right on the AT and had a HUGE breakfast. Resupplied food, got some gear (including new socks to replace the pair that a mouse had chewed a hole in) at the local outfitter, showered, did laundry, etc. then hung out at the bar while the rain fell outside. Stuffed my wet shoes with newspapers in hopes that I may have dry shoes for the first time in days.
Gravy and Animal are staying again tomorrow and are trying to convince me to stay another day tomorrow as well as not to break up our crew. With snow and more rain in tomorrow's forecast I just might do that. While my feet are in great condition it couldn't hurt to rest. We'll see tomorrow morning whether I'm determined to press on.
Staying the night at Sunnybank Inn, an old Victorian house that's sort of half hostel, half B&B.
Total miles: 273.9
Today Gravy, Animal, and I got up early and hoofed through the morning rain a few miles to Hot Springs, a little trail town that's right on the AT and had a HUGE breakfast. Resupplied food, got some gear (including new socks to replace the pair that a mouse had chewed a hole in) at the local outfitter, showered, did laundry, etc. then hung out at the bar while the rain fell outside. Stuffed my wet shoes with newspapers in hopes that I may have dry shoes for the first time in days.
Gravy and Animal are staying again tomorrow and are trying to convince me to stay another day tomorrow as well as not to break up our crew. With snow and more rain in tomorrow's forecast I just might do that. While my feet are in great condition it couldn't hurt to rest. We'll see tomorrow morning whether I'm determined to press on.
Staying the night at Sunnybank Inn, an old Victorian house that's sort of half hostel, half B&B.
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