Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, VA - 10 miles Made it to Virginia! Beautiful sunrise in the morning. Braden and Rachael were awake before I set off, but not awake enough to enjoy the sunrise. Some of the boy scouts were just getting up as I set off. It was a fairly easy descent into … Continue reading 4/14/2018 – Day 36
4/13/2018 – Day 35
Stealth Campsite to Abingdon Gap Shelter - 26.4 miles My longest day on the trail yet, but I didn’t feel as tired at the end as I did yesterday. There were no big ups or downs, so it was smooth sailing all day. Not that my feet don’t hurt right now. Started off with a … Continue reading 4/13/2018 – Day 35
4/12/2018 – Day 34
Moreland Gap Shelter to Stealth Campsite - 20.3 miles Decided not to hike the full 24 miles to Vandeventer Shelter today. I was tired, hungry, and ready to set up camp. The weather was actually sunny and warm today. You can now clearly see my sock tan…it was only a matter of time. Tomorrow’s forecast … Continue reading 4/12/2018 – Day 34
4/11/2018 – Day 33
US 19E to Moreland Gap Shelter - 19.1 miles Amazing breakfast at 8 this morning followed by a 30-minute nap at 9. Started hiking at 10. Got a cramp on the first uphill. I guess the nap wasn’t enough to let all that breakfast food digest. I didn’t stop until Mountaineer Shelter a bit after … Continue reading 4/11/2018 – Day 33
4/10/2018 – Day 32
Overmountain Shelter to US 19E - 6.9 miles 1 month on the trail. Commemorated with sunny skies and a relatively warm day. Really windy coming over the balds, but with beautiful views. Had a bad fall coming down one of them and landed on my hand. Nothing is badly hurt, but I definitely twisted my … Continue reading 4/10/2018 – Day 32
4/9/2018 – Day 31
Campsite to Overmountain Shelter - 21.9 miles Woke up to the sound of snow still falling, so I had little motivation to get out of my sleeping bag and tent. Didn’t leave camp until 8:10am. Made it to Overmountain by 6. It wasn’t snowing for long and thankfully it didn’t really rain. It was mainly … Continue reading 4/9/2018 – Day 31
4/8/2018 – Day 30
Erwin, TN to Campsite - 21.5 miles I saw Grant and Graham last night for the 1st time since I left Fontana Dam. I was already in my bunk about to go to sleep and they walk in and find me. They heard from others at Uncle Johnny’s that I was there so they went … Continue reading 4/8/2018 – Day 30
4/7/2018 – Day 29
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
4/6/2018 – Day 28
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
4/5/2018 – Day 27
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