mile 419

Everything has been going well up until a few days ago when a shinsplint slowly reared its angry head at me. After trying to continue on this morning I have decided, with much frustration, that I will have to take a couple days off the trail.  Luckily these couple days will be spent at the legendary Kincora hostel run by the legend himself Bob Peoples. This man is  sort of a celebrity out here, and it is an honor to spend a couple days at his place. The history that surrounds this hostel  surpasses most places on the trail. So I will be resting up and soaking up knowledge for the next days. Hoping to be in Virginia by next Monday.

Hot Springs

Hello all, I arrived in Hot Springs NC last night around 10:30 pm.  I hiked 24 miles yesterday to get here. Longest mileage yet in one day.  I am hoping to do around 20 miles a day from now on.  Things have been going very well, my blisters have cleared up so now I just have the general hurt that comes with hiking everyday.  Since I last was able to update a lot I have gone through the Great Smoky Mountains.  We did hiked the Smokies in 5 days, which is pretty good.  It was extremely cold for most of the days in the Smokies, and I was concerned one night that I was close to hypothermia.  However, I was able to get in my sleeping bag and warm up just in time.  This trip is very different from what I expected it to be, but its been a lot of fun so far.  Hiking has almost become a job in a way.  Everyday I hike for a while, eat lunch then hike more, and lately even hike after dark.  I have become more aware of my surroundings out here, and I am really starting to appreciate nature in all its beauty.  One thing that is upsetting is that I have yet to see a bear.  I was hoping to see one in the Smokies but I think it was too cold.  Although apparently the bears didn't even hibernate this year due to the mild winter we are having.  Speaking of mild winter, I may have chosen the best year to start hiking the AT in February.  The weather is very nice most of the time. Last night around 9 JRab and I just stopped to look at the stars before we finished the last 2 miles into Hot Springs, and it was extremely warm and just clear for as far as I could see.  Moments like that are what make this trip worth it, when you can lose yourself in the moment.  I finally got to cowboy camp a couple nights ago, which means I just slept on the ground without any shelter, and it was great to fall asleep looking at the stars.  I even saw a falling star right before shutting my eyes.  I have this saying that has kept me going many times "Slow and steady wins the race.....or at least finishes it." I am a bit of a slower hiker than the rest of the crew I am with so when they take off during the day I sometimes get discouraged, but this little phrase helps me.  However, now I can really tell I am speeding up and keeping up with everyone.  Its starting to become a little easier, not easy, but easier haha.  Tonight is a celebration for JRabs bday, so we will be spending the day having a good time with a big fire and camping right on the French Broad river.  I am extremely happy to be out here doing this, and I wouldnt change a thing.  More updates soon to come. 

Squatch

200 miles down.

Today was a great day filled with many good things. First of all I woke up to a doe and its fawn eating outside the shelter. Then we climbed clingmans dome, which is the highest point of the AT. Then we crossed the 200 mile mark and made it to gatlinburg for the night. Its been a long cold couple of days so far in the smokies. I actually had icicles in my beard Haha. But we are halfway through the smokies now. My body is holding up great, and we have averaged around 15 miles per day for the last week. I will try to update more from a computer soon.