2018 AT – Day Thirty Two – Greasy Creek Friendly

Saturday, 30 June Destination: Greasy Creek Gap – Greasy Creek Friendly Today’s Miles: 7.2 Start Location: Cherry Gap Shelter Trip Miles: 369.3 Well the rain stopped overnight and things had a chance to dry out some but I had different problem to worry about this morning. Last evening during a short break in the rain,…

2018 AT – Day Thirty One – Trail Magic

Friday, 29 June Destination: Cherry Gap Shelter Today’s Miles: 17.1 Start Location: Uncle Johnny’s Hostel – Erwin, TN Trip Miles: 362.1 I got up, packed and had some yoghurt for breakfast before leaving a little before 7:30. I weighed my pack on the way out 26 3/4 pounds with two days food and water. Probably…

2018 AT – Day Thirty – Rain, Rain, Go Away

Thursday, 28 June Destination: Uncle Johnny’s Hostel – Erwin, TN Today’s Miles: 16.8 Start Location: Bald Mountain Shelter Trip Miles: 345.0 It got windy after the rain stopped last evening. I thought that would dry out the trail for the morning. A thunderstorm ⚡ started about four in the morning and lasted until about six….

2018 AT – Day Twenty Nine – Bald Mountain Shelter

Wednesday, 27 June Destination: Bald Mountain Shelter Today’s Miles: 7.7 Start Location: Sam’s Gap – Mother Marion’s Hostel Trip Miles: 328.2 The forecast for today was for more thunderstorms this afternoon. My original plan was to hike thirteen miles to a campsite. Not wanting to pack up a wet tent again, the plan changed to a…

2018 AT – Day Twenty Eight – More Rain

Tuesday, 26 June Destination: Sam’s Gap Today’s Miles: 11.2 Start Location: Flint Mountain Shelter Trip Miles: 320.5 Under 150 miles left until Damascus. It was not a good decision to tent last night. There were only two people in the shelter with room for eight. About four in the morning the rain started. It thundered…

2018 AT – Day Twenty Seven – Walking in the Rain

Monday, 25 June Destination: Flint Mountain Shelter Today’s Miles: 17.3 Start Location: Log Cabin Road Trip Miles: 309.3 Three hikers who were at Elmer’s Sunny bank in Friday came on last evening during the thunderstorm ⚡. They were planning a shuttle back to Hot Springs because they said the forecast was for rain all day….

2018 AT – Day Twenty Six – Hemlock Hollow Inn

Sunday, 24 June Destination: Hemlock Hollow Inn – Log Cabin Road Today’s Miles: 16.3 Start Location: Hot Springs, NC Trip Miles: 292.0 My breakfast plans fell through when I found out the diner was closed on Sunday. The other restaurants did not open until eight or later. I picked up some canned peaches and Nutter…

2018 AT – Day Twenty Five – Roughing It In Hot Springs

Saturday, 23 June Destination: Hot Springs, NC Today’s Miles: 0 Start Location: Hot Springs, NC Trip Miles: 275.7 Today was a zero mile rest day. I did not sleep well. It may have been the ice tea with a late dinner. I have not been getting my usual caffeine while hiking so I may be…

2018 AT – Day Twenty Four – Hot Springs

Friday, 22 June Destination: Hot Springs, NC Today’s Miles: 13.1 Start Location: Walnut Mountain Shelter Trip Miles: 275.7 It rained from two until seven yesterday. I was warm, dry and cozy in my tent. Rather than take my stove and food down to the shelter and cook, I had a Clif bar and dark chocolate…

2018 AT – Day Twenty Three – Rain

Thursday, 21 June Destination: Walnut Mountain Shelter Today’s Miles: 13.1 Start Location: Groundhog Creek Shelter Trip Miles: 262.6 A few items to add from last night. The older couple and a young girl had spent several days at Standing Bear Hostel and actually liked it. I guess it depends on what you are looking for….