Day 27
Starting: Hot Springs, NC, 273.9Ending: Rich Mtn Fire Tower 282.1
Total Miles: 8.2
After pulling ourselves away from Hot Springs after a hearty breakfast, big lunch and ice cream around 2:40, we walked along the French Broad River for a little while. On the other side of the River from the trail was a musical festival going on. For about a week before getting into HS we heard there was a bluegrass fest for $10 going this weekend, which we very excited about. It turns out the fest wasn't only bluegrass and was $75 per ticket. It was a pretty large event with a few thousand people.
The weather was beautiful but we felt pretty sluggish hiking. This occurs every time we leave town...we eat way too much.
Day 28
Starting: Rich Mtn Fire Shelter 282.1
Ending: Jerry Cabin Shelter 300.3
Total Miles: 18.2 miles
300 miles behind and our longest hike yet. Another gorgeous day, although it's starting to get a little warm. It's forecasted to be 87 this week, the good news with the warm weather is we can sleep without the rain fly on tent and see the stars. We're very excited for that.
The hiking was pretty challenging today with a couple of big climbs then walking along a very rocky ridge line for almost a mile. The views were pretty spectacular from there, with a clear view of Greenville, TN.
Day 29
Starting: Jerry Cabin Shelter 300.3
Ending: Hogback Ridge Shelter 315
Total Miles: 14.7
It's starting to get warm, unseasonably warm. The temps today were in the mid 80's and it was noticeable how much more difficult the hiking was. Thankfully, about halfway through our day there was a very nice little waterfall that we dipped our feet in and cooled off for about 30 minutes. I felt like a new man after that!!
Shortly after the waterfall we spotted our first deer on the trail, 3 doe. It was amazing how close they let us get to them. We were within 15 ft of them and they never got spooked.
Overall, it was a good day but we were exhausted at the end of the day from the heat!
Day 30
Starting: Hogback Ridge Shelter 315
Ending: Spivey Gap 330.8
Total Miles: 15.8
We started our day like we normally do, with hot coffee and oatmeal. When we were packing up to leave, Jessica noticed that we were completely out of fuel. Our plan was to walk into Erwin the next day to resupply but since all we had was a Pasta Side left for dinner we decided to get a shuttle into town. Jessica's theory is that I left the fuel on after cooking and my theory was she let it run out so we could go into town early. Either way, we ended up sleeping in a bed, showering and eating way too much, as usual the first day in town, so we were both happy the other one let the fuel run out. :)
We also planned to slackpack the remaining 11 miles into Erwin the next day. This will be our first slackpack so we're looking forward to not having 30+ lbs on our back.
Day 31
Starting: Spivey Gap: 330.8
Ending: Erwin, TN: 342
Total Miles: 11.2
Our one month anniversary on the trail! What better way to celebrate than with a slackpack! We got shuttled out to the trail at 9:30 and began our hike, Jessica sans pack and me with just water, snacks and a first aid kit. It was great we flew down the trail, literally. We were done around 1:00 and we took a couple breaks. Normally, we average between 2-2.5 mph, today it was over 3. I sort of wish we could do the whole trail like this but there are a few people out here that think slack packing is cheating. Thankfully, I think they're in the minority. As the popular saying goes, "hike your own hike."
After the hike, the shuttle stopped at Pal's and we picked up burgers and a milkshake. First time eating at Pal's, it was great!
We then did our laundry, resupplied or oversupplied and planned our next several days. Trail Days in Damascus starts next week and we're right on pace to land in Damascus on Friday or Saturday. This is exactly when you don't want to arrive at Trail Days, unless you're a 20 yr old who wants to get drunk partake in illegal substances (except in Colorado) and dance around in drum circles until the sun rises. Our plan is to get a couple days ahead of the mass exodus of hikers on Sunday by slack packing a couple 20+ days. We plan to rent a car and drive back into Damascus on Saturday to experience a little bit of the festivities.
Day 32
Starting: Erwin, TN: 342
Ending: Cherry Gap Shelter: 359
Total: 17
Before climbing over Unaka Mountain, which is a 3400 ft climb from Erwin, we were greeted by the best trail magic we've had yet, apples, chips, Wendy's and a keg! An added bonus was the Wendy's and the keg were delivered by Zach Davis who wrote Appalachain Trials and runs the blog of the same name. Jessica and I both read the book as part of our preparation so it was really neat to meet him in person.
The trail magic made it a good day despite the climb in mid 80's temps.
Day 33
Cherry Gap Shelter: 359
Roan High Knob Shelter: 376
Total: 17
Another 17 mile day! Not too much to note today. The weather finally cooled off and we were able to enjoy the hiking a bit more. The early part of the day was pretty flat so we were able to put in a lot of miles before lunch. We ran into a group at the shelter who had slack packed 20+ miles the day before. They were still talking about how great it was. Thankfully, we will be slack packing soon ourselves.
Our day ended with 2000+ foot climb to our shelter. It's an abandoned ranger cabin and is the highest shelter on the AT. Unfortunately, they were full by the time we got there. But the surrounding campsite was covered in pine straw. It made for a very soft tent floor! It was my (Jessica) favorite camp site so far.
Day 34
Starting: roan high knob: 376
Ending: mountain harbor hostel: 392.3
Total: 16.3
Today was a crazy day and we are happy to be indoors at the end of it! We packed up camp and got on the trail by 8am!
The weather was cool and overcast and we heard there was a chance of storms later in the day. About a mile into our hike we ran into Doc and Tex with Doc's parents. They were visiting and helping Doc and Tex slack pack. We cought up briefly but they were moving fast so we couldn't keep up for long!
We quickly started our climbing for the day which included crossing 5 balds! The views were amazing.
We had lunch at a shelter that was an old barn. Apparently it sleeps over 20!
After lunch we continued climbing. We were making good time with our mileage but we knew we still had tough terrain ahead. Right before we were about to cross the biggest bald of the day, it started thunder storming. Being on top of the highest elevation around with no protection and metal hiking poles is not ideal. We decided to wait it out under a tree line until we were pretty confident the storms had passed. We were still climbing in crazy wind and rain but luckily, the storms had passed.
Shortly after finishing the balds we crossed out of NC for the last time! We have officially finished 2 states.
We spent the night at a hostel. It was a pretty interesting set up. We were in a semi-private room (a corner with a curtain) in the loft of a barn. We were actually pretty happy to be out of the rain and in a bed for the night. Even if it was above horses and goats.
We are planning on slack packing 24 today. It will be our longest mileage by far. Luckily our packs will be light and the terrain should be flat.
Also, we would like to wish our moms a very happy Mother's Day! We love you both very much and can't wait to see you!
Happy Trails,
Z & Gia
Thanks for the Mother's Day wish. We thought about you two so much as passed through the mountains on our way back from Florida. What an amazing adventure you two are on. Love you both very much also.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on crossing two states! You guys are making great mileage. I'm glad you had some great trail magic...nothing like a keg to keep you motivated :-) Keep up the good hike! Miss you from the office!
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