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Journal Notes

Day 10 April 4th

Slept in what looked like a rhododendron garden, with about 25 other tents at the cheese factory. It was a slow, painful morning. Once again the dreaded first ½ mile makes me question my choices. I was slow going all day but I kept moving. The goal was deep Gap shelter, then we called an audible to Moorehead camp site. This added 2.5 miles and it about killed me. Along the way I met Vicki, Rachel, Luke, and Ashley, and another fellow wearing a Penn State hat called push-ups. I discussed Philly cheese steaks with him as we went down a god awful incline to get water. We shared some salami and cheese and that recharged me. We’re expecting rain tomorrow, so not really looking forward to getting wet. We set up camp and met some older folks. One lady just waited for her turn to talk. They seemed all about themselves, but we’re obsessed with asking about our equipment.

I had enough service to text Tara and talk about our reunion in Gatlinburg. It was a lot of fun talking about showers Dr pepper and hamburgers.

I’m sore as hell, and popping vitamins like it’s going out of style. I hope I don’t ruin my guts with all this ibuprofen. Al was kind enough to give me some sock liners with individual toes, so we’ll try them tomorrow. I feel 10xs stronger than day 1 but also feel 90% drained. Oh yeah and if all goes well I’ll be done with GA tomorrow. One state down!

LOCATION & COUNTS

Moreland Gap (AT 68)

Miles traveled today – 11.8

Total traveled – 76.8

Remaining – 2126.0mi & 179days

Oct 1st Average – 11.877 mi/day

Day 11 April 5th

Today is by far the hardest day. It seems like no matter where you camp it’s always uphill when you leave. The blisters of my feet are slowing me down, which sucks cause I can feel my strength growing. I’m getting less winded up them mountains. They’re still not easy though. Anyhow, we packed up early to try and beat the rain. Leaving Moreland Gap and headed to plum orchard shelter for lunch. Of course the skinny crew got there before the rain and then I show up soaked.

Sometimes the rain gear isn’t worth it when you sweat like a beast. The shelter was packed to the brim. The building itself had two lofts allowing three places to rest and a massive picnic table. I changed shirts and warmed up as best I could and ate lunch. Talked a lot to TC and a woman from across the pond. Big Mac was up on the first loft. A lot of interesting good characters around that table.

The Train crew had their goal set, the border! With my legs locked up and exhaustion set in I told them to go ahead. I thought this was the moment I lost the train. Around 4 or 5 the rain finally let up so TC and I decided to catch up. 4.5 miles mostly uphill. This was the trip that about killed me. It went on FOREVER. I thought I was in the twilight zone doomed to walk this path for all eternity.

I finally got to camp and was welcomed to North Carolina! Would luck have it I missed the sign. I back tracked got my pic, got some water, and set up camp. I love this Train crew but their tempo is pushing my limits. If not for my pretrail shoe choices I may be able to keep up easily. My goal is to hang on until Saturday for my first full zero day. Gonna be a lot of rest and Dr Pepper. My philosophy: the only thing that sucks about the Appalachian Trail is the hiking!

LOCATION & COUNTS

Bly Gap (AT 78.2)

Miles traveled today – 10.2

Total traveled – 87.0

Remaining – 2116.0mi & 178days

Oct 1st Average – 11.887 mi/day

Day 14 April 8th

I left Betty Creek Hap Campsite in the morning. I’m pretty sure I was one of the last people out of the tiny village made of tents the night before. I was dreading the uphill on the way up to the fire tower. It didn’t disappoint, it was one of the steepest climbs thus far. The sky’s opened up and started to sleet as I did some rock climbing. It was a struggle up I finally got up to the Albert Mnt Fire Tower. It was the unofficial 100 mile marker!

I video called mom and shared the foggy view from the top of the tower. After catching up I climbed down and the weather moved along. The view was amazing in North Carolina. I was relieved the rest of the day was downhill.

I trucked along and stopped in at Long Branch Shelter for lunch. | enjoyed my cold oatmeal with a Swiss miss packet, then Silica and TC soon showed up. I caught up with them soon headed for Rock Gap Shelter to join the Train. The sleet persisted and I had my hood up and my buff over my face.

The rest of the team was there when I arrived as well as an older fellow from Arizona named Al. He made some peach tea for all of us before he headed out. We had the shelter to ourselves with a Nero and a Zero to follow the next two days. It was a cold night, but like a night in summer camp we stayed up making jokes and laughing.

LOCATION & COUNTS

Rock Gap Shelter (AT 105.6)

Miles traveled today – 8.4

Total traveled – 114.4

Remaining – 2088.6 mi & 175days

Oct 1st Average – 11.934 mi/day

Day 15 April 9th

lt was a rough cold night in Rock Gap Shelter. You could hear the mice running around and the snow was piling up. We had a check in time of 3pm so we slept in pretty late. When we finally got moving the snow was coming down. Again the uphill started the day and I think I earned my Trail name of Low Gear. About 6 or 7 people passed me in this jigsaw puzzle worthy snowscape.

I was worried for a moment that the train already got a ride into town because I didn’t see them in the car park. EM came from around the corner and flagged me to a Subaru. She handed me a McDonald’s sausage biscuit from an awesome couple who was hiking themselves. They’ve had a run of bad luck, and were forced to take several zeros. They were kind enough to drop us off at Wal-Mart, where we resupplied. Next, we were off to the Chinese buffet. We did our best to put them out if business but, to no avail. Next, we were on our way the sapphire inn motel.

We set up shop and then walked to the laundromat.

Every step of the day was fun and full of laughs. With clean laundry and a shower, me and the girls headed to the Lazy Hiker Brewery.

I enjoyed two beers, one called Dad Jokes and the other was a peanut butter cup. It was much more bitter than a Reese’s cup. Fancy Dancer and Foodie were in our company as we listened to Kayla Lynn and the Change’s live music. Having a bed is an amazing feeling, don’t ya take it for granted!

LOCATION & COUNTS

Sapphire Inn Motel via

Winding Stair Gap (AT 109.4)

Miles traveled today – 3.8

Total traveled – 118.2

Remaining – 2084.8 mi & 174days

Oct 1st Average – 11.981 mi/day

Day 16 April 10th

FIRST FULL ZERO.

It’s time to rest and heal. I’m still working on my foot blisters and focusing on doing absolutely nothing today. Red Panda and I did go across the street for Mexican food, and more trail magic showed up as a woman gave us a 20 dollar gift certificate. The trail provides. No, really it does! EM found an extra carabineer after mine broke. We watched a lot of TV, I called Tara and then we studied up on the next week of hiking. Stay tuned for the next step in this adventure!

LOCATION SAME AS APR 9