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….
Category: 2018AT
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….
2018 AT – Day Twenty Two – Out of the Smokies
Wednesday, 20 June Destination: Groundhog Creek Shelter Today’s Miles: 10.5 Start Location: Davenport Gap Shelter Trip Miles: 249.5 Well, Little Dance showed up last night around seven. It was just him and I in the shelter. I was out by 6:45, he was still asleep. I am glad to be out of the Smokies and…
2018 AT – Day Twenty One – Halfway
Tuesday, 19 June Destination: Davenport Gap Shelter Today’s Miles: 14.8 Start Location: Tri- Corner Knob Shelter Trip Miles: 239.0 Passed the halfway point of my hike today. Two hundred forty of four hundred seventy done. Feeling good and looking forward to the rest as well as getting back home. Late last night, a hiker that…