Wayah shelter to Wesser Bald shelter (mile 130.8) It turned into a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was warm! Sweet, sweet warmth. How I missed thee. But...I struggled. Felt absolutely shattered and had no energy in the legs. I think I may not be eating enough. Of course being tired and having … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 15 (the one were homesickness bites)

11 miles Winding stair gap (109.2) to Wayah shelter (mile 120.2) I really struggled to leave the motel this morning. I was not exactly excited to get back on the trail. Homesickness was, once again, biting hard. Got a lift back to the trail from Ron who runs the Baltimore Jack hostel. He didn't accept … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 14 (the one with hot dogs)

0 miles Franklin Had a free breakfast at a local church. They pick up hikers from all the hotels and hostels in town and put on a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and coffee. It was pretty awesome, and I only had to listen to a little sermon. When they saw I was from Australia they … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 13 (the one with the 10 commandments)

7.2 miles Long Branch shelter (mile 102) to Winding stair gap (mile 109.2) Today should have been an easy day. According to the guidebook there was a lot of downhill. But the ankle is hurting again. It's ok though, it only hurts when I walk up or downhill... The climb out of Rock gap was … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 12 (the one were I hobble into Franklin)

8.7 miles Carter Gap shelter (mile 93.3) to Long Branch shelter (mile 102) Geared up to cross the 100 mile mark today! It was at the top of Albert mountain. And Albert was a bit mean. It started gently enough, the trail hugged a ridge line with a pretty impressive drop to one side. Then … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 11 (the one were I cross the 100 mile mark)

March 13, 2018 12.5 miles Muskrat Creek shelter (mile 80.8) to Carter Gap shelter (mile 93.3) Not much to report today. It was a cold, cold, cold, start to the day, but it gradually warmed up. I made it over standing Indian mountain, which stands at 5478 ft and is the biggest mountains so far, … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 10 (the one were it was bloody freezing)

March 12, 2018 11.8 miles Dicks creek gap (mile 69.00) to muskrat shelter (80.8) It was a miserable morning, cold and rainy. I was not really in the hiking mood, and I was very tempted to take another rest day at the hostel. But I had to keep moving, so out I went into the … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 9 (the one were I leave Georgia)

0 miles March 11, 2018 Dicks creek gap (mile 69.00) After doing 30 miles over the last few days I needed a rest. My ankle was pretty sore as well, so this called for a zero day. A zero day is hiker slang for a day with no miles walked. I had a nice relaxing morning … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 8 (the one with brisket)

16.2 miles March 10, 2018 Unicoi gap (mile 52.3) to Dicks creek gap (mile 69.00) I "slackpacked" today. What does that mean? Well I leave the bulk of my gear at the hostel, take a day-pack with food and water and whatever else I'd need for the day. Then the hostel shuttles me back to … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 7 (the one where I slackpack)

14.5 miles March 9, 2018 Whitley gap shelter (mile 37.8) to Unicoi gap (mile 52.3) I woke up at 5 am shivering and couldn't get back to sleep. It was still pitch black, but laying there shivering was not going to do me any good. So I packed up and walked. Night hiking was actually … Continue reading AT 2018: Day 6 (the one with night hiking)