Erwin, TN - zero day Wasn’t planning on taking a zero today, but my mom’s original plan of hiking with me changed once we found out it was going to be cold and wet all day. She got here around 10am and brought the blue Osprey pack because the green one won’t tighten around my … Continue reading 4/7/2018 – Day 29 →

No Business Knob Shelter to Erwin, TN - 6.2 miles A fairly easy hike into Erwin this morning. A few climbs, but nothing real big or long. Mainly just a decent into town. I stayed in a cabin at Uncle Johnny’s Hostel (trail magic from mom). Nothing special. Just a room to myself with a … Continue reading 4/6/2018 – Day 28 →

Hogback Ridge Shelter to No Business Knob Shelter - 20.7 miles It got below freezing last night and it was still pretty cold in the morning. Got a later start at 7:45, but it was all good because when I got to Sam’s Gap after a few miles, there was trail magic! Silent Paul (thru-hiked … Continue reading 4/5/2018 – Day 27 →

Jerry Cabin Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter - 15.5 miles Didn’t mention it yesterday, but I reached the 300-mile point! Started off with cold rain this morning. I had service as I started climbing so I tried calling Laura about my tendon. No answer. Ended up sending her a text later and at the shelter … Continue reading 4/4/2018 – Day 26 →

Spring Mountain Shelter to Jerry Cabin Shelter - 15.9 miles Woke up a bit later than I wanted to (6:40am) and within 10 minutes, everyone else in the shelter was up and moving. That’s usually how it goes in shelters. Not a very long day, but a tendon in my leg started hurting on the … Continue reading 4/3/2018 – Day 25 →

Hot Springs, NC to Spring Mountain Shelter - 11 miles I planned on sleeping in this morning but ended up waking up before 6:30. By the time my tent was packed up, only one other person tenting was awake. Went to the diner in town and sat down with Pilgrim. Ate some eggs, bacon, and … Continue reading 4/2/2018 – Day 24 →

Deer Park Mountain Shelter to Hot Springs, NC - 3.2 miles Nero day. A short hike into Hot Springs early in the morning. Tented at the Laughing Heart Lodge. The owner, Jeff, told me if I played my p-bone I wouldn’t have to pay to stay, so that’s exactly what I did. Got lunch/drinks with … Continue reading 4/1/2018 – Day 23 →

Groundhog Creek Shelter to Deer Park Mountain Shelter - 23 miles No rain today! Sunny with a high of 67°F. The gap before climbing to Max Patch there were 2 women who thru hiked in the past that had trail magic. They cooked sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits. There was also coffee, chocolate milk, juice, … Continue reading 3/31/2018 – Day 22 →

Cosby Knob Shelter to Groundhog Creek Shelter - 17.6 miles Made it out of the Smokies! Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t as nice as the day before. It rained most of the day and even hailed at one point. Shelter was full when I got there so I had to set my tent up in the … Continue reading 3/30/2018 – Day 21 →

Icewater Spring Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter - 20.3 miles Got started hiking by 7:20 this morning – earliest start time yet. It was foggy in the morning, but once I started hiking the sun came out and stayed out all day. I finished hiking in short sleeves and wanting to take my pants off … Continue reading 3/29/2018 – Day 20 →