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…
2018 AT – Day Twenty – Full Shelter
Monday, 18 June Destination: Tri- Corner Knob Shelter Today’s Miles: 12.6 Start Location: Icewater Spring Shelter Trip Miles: 224.2 Full shelter last night. We fit fourteen in with a capacity of twelve. Family of eight, group of three and three thru hikers including myself. One of the guys snored really loud. Slept in until 6:30…
2018 AT – Day Nineteen – Back to the Trail
Sunday, 17 June – Back to the Trail Destination: Icewater Spring Shelter Today’s Miles: 3.1 Start Location: Newfound Gap Trip Miles: 211.6 Back to the hotel after dinner last night to start packing. Early to bed. Enjoyed a real breakfast and did final packing. Checkout was eleven so I drove back to the trail at…
2018 AT – Day Eighteen – Gatlinburg
Saturday, 16 June – Gatlinburg Destination: Gatlinburg Today’s Miles: 0 Start Location: Gatlinburg Trip Miles: 208.5 Spent the day at the pool and in the outdoor hot tub. Relaxed, resupplied with the boxes Dolora brought and went out to dinner. 2018 Appalachian Trail Album
2018 AT – Day Seventeen – Highest Point on the AT
Friday, 15 June – Highest Point on the AT Destination: Clingmans Dome Today’s Miles: 16.4 Start Location: Spence Field Shelter Trip Miles: 208.5 After six last night, an older Polish couple, who currently live in Chicago, came in. They had reservations at Russell Field Shelter but it was closed because of aggressive bear activity. With only two…
2018 AT – Day Sixteen – Mama Bear and Baby Bear
Thursday, 14 June – Mama Bear and Baby Bear Destination: Spence Field Shelter Today’s Miles: 17.8 Start Location: Fontana Hilton Trip Miles: 192.1 Well today I got up close and personal with mama bear. The Smokies are famous for black bears. I hiked into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park early this morning. Around noon,…