0 miles Gatlinburg NOTE: I’m not dead. Apologies folks, but I thought I had posted an update a while ago. A few folk I bumped into back home mentioned that they followed the blog and that they were surprised to see me. Then it clicked that I had left this post in draft. Oops. Anyhoo, … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 25 (the one were I call it a day)

10.5 miles Double Spring Gap shelter (mile 196.8) to Newfound Gap (mile 207.3) I woke up to only damp socks and my shoes were only partially frozen This was a definite improvement on the last few days. I struggled out of my sleeping bag and took stock. My left side was a mess. Physical state: … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 24 (the last one for 2018)

7.4 miles Derrick Knob shelter (mile 189.4) to Double Spring Gap shelter (mile 196.8) The wind was howling outside when I woke up. I crept cautiously out of my sleeping bag and immediately regretted it. It was freezing. And I felt like I had been beaten up. "Bloody hell! It's pure Baltic out there!!!" *Blank … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 23 (the uneventful one)

12.1 miles Mollies Ridge shelter (mile 177.3) to Derrick Knob shelter (mile 189.4) Despite the cold I slept well. I woke briefly at 5am and then dozed until 7. After that sleep I felt much better. I decided a hot breakfast was in the menu, it would give me the energy needed to hit my … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 22 (the one were a bear steals my food)

12 miles Fontana Hilton shelter (mile 165.3) to Mollies Ridge shelter (mile 177.3) Why is it that people who snore like a god damn lawnmower always fall asleep so frickin fast? I did not sleep much at all. The person next to me was a champion snorer, and he did not stop. All goddamned night … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 21 (the one were the Smokys kick my butt)

6.1 miles Cable gap shelter (mile 158.8) to Fontana Hilton shelter (mile 165.3) Duck likes to sleep in and Pigweed likes to take his time in the morning, so it was just Happiness and myself who set off for Fontana at 8 am. There were still snow drifts about, and my nemesis. Mud. We got … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 20 (the one in Fontana)

Stecoah Gap (mile 150.4) to Cable gap shelter (mile 158.8) We had French toast, bacon, maple syrup, bananas, coffee and juice for breakfast. It was great. The Cabins in the wood was a really great place to stay. Highly recommended. An older gentleman with the trail name Ulysses was talking about the difficulty of the … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 19 (the one with oregano)

Sassafras Gap shelter (mile 143.6) to Stecoah Gap (mile 150.4) It snowed last night. Only a couple of inches, but it was cold and it was still snowing. It was real purty. I had a quick breakfast and got going as soon as I could. There were a few folk who gave the hint they … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 18 (the one with the blizzard)

NOC to Sassafras Gap shelter (mile 143.6) After a pretty decent sleep in a bunk room all to myself I reluctantly packed up and prepared to hit the trail. A whole lot of up was on the menu today. I had a Clif crunch bar for breakfast then started my slow weary climb. It was … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 17 (the one with the climbing)

Wesser Bald shelter to NOC (mile 136.5) Tough morning. Did not sleep well and was up an out of camp by 6am. Hiked for an hour in the dark before sunrise, which is as creepy as it sounds. Made my way to a place called the jump off. It was a narrow part of the … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 16 (the one were I reach the NOC)