9.4 miles

March 6, 2018

Devil’s kitchen campground (mile 14.4 ) to Lance creek campground (mile 23.8)

I had my second interaction with a dog on the trail as one emerged from the tent next to me as I was packing up. He was not friendly at all. Luckily I was mostly packed so I was able to escape before things got a little too hairy. This kinda threw me a little though, I’m a dog guy. Dogs love me. Usually.

It had rained on and off all night and as soon as I hit the trail it started up again with a vengeance. The wind also picked up and there was plenty of chill in it. It was freezing. You know what would have been a good idea to bring Lee? Gloves. Gloves would have been real good you bloody idiot.

The trail turned into a stream and it was impossible to stop for more than a few minutes at a time, I needed to keep walking to not freeze.

I encountered my first trail magic at Woody gap, where a gentleman named Bones was giving out fried chicken, Twix bars and soft drinks. And my god that fried chicken was good. I don’t have the hiker hunger yet, but pretty much any hot food tastes magical right now.

A few hikers were going into town to escape the weather. I was tempted, but decided to keep walking. It ended up being the right call as not long after Woody gap the rain stopped and the sun came out. It wasn’t hot, but it was enough to dry everything out. And it was glorious.

I arrived at Lance creek campground around four and already nearly every tent site was taken. Again the only one I could find was on a slight slope.

I set up my tent, it looked better than yesterday but still not quite right. I gave it up as a bad job and joined K2 and Doo for a cup of tea and we chatted away whilst the sun slowly set. Another hiker, Rooster, came along and set up his tent not far from us. He had the same tent as me and after talking to him I realised I had my trekking poles to low, because I’m an idiot. I rushed back to my tent, tore it down and put it back up properly. Success!

Now that looks a damn sight better than before. I have headroom!

I had strong mobile reception so I was able to chat to my wife for the first time since I had left Atlanta. Not bad for a campground in the middle of bloody nowhere.

I also tried Spam for the first time. I chopped it up a and added it to some four cheese mashed potatoes. It was bloody delicious. I literally moaned with pleasure after the first bite. Why hasn’t anyone told me spam was so damn tasty?

Tomorrow is a big day as I get to tackle Blood mountain and then get to Neel Gap with the promise of a hot shower and a warm bed.

My limit at the moment seems to be around 8-8.5 miles. That’s when my back starts to hurt a little, my legs start giving me twinges and I get real tired. Just my body saying “alright dude, time to rest up now”

I pushed it a little too far yesterday. Today felt just right.