Hot Springs to Erwin

I am writing this from Damascus, Va. I would write all the way up to Damascus but I will be coming back in a couple days for a big festival called "Trail Days" I would rather include this with a post but wanted to at least post something so I am just doing up until Erwin, TN.

Well I finally did drag myself out of Hot Springs. It was hard, but it needed to be done. To many places to buy food; dangerous for a hiker on a budget.

Day 31, Miles: 0.0  AT Miles 274.4

I wasn't originally going to take a zero day here but decided to since some other hikers I started with were going to make a cake to celebrate being on the trail for a month. And since there was cake involved, of course I decided to stay. (I also wanted to hang out with those cool hikers; Wings, and the Orr Family) Anyway, I bought groceries, ate more food, and enjoyed a restful zero day.

Day 32, Miles: 11  AT Miles: 285.4

Stayed in Hot Springs until around 3:30pm. I spent most of my time at Hiker's Ridge Ministries using a computer and drinking free coffee. I finally fixed my GoPro Camera so I could post pictures and then worked on my last blog post. When I finally did leave, I made good time to the shelter and got there right before sunset. Pitched my tent and camped out with a bunch of friends. A roaring campfire and a clear sky made for a great night.

Day 33, Miles: 8.6  AT Miles: 294.0

Woke up late and didn't break camp until around 10:30am. Got some trail magic for lunch at one of the road crossings. It was a pleasant surprise and I am very thankful. Immediately following lunch began a long climb. It drizzled on and off and eventually did start raining. I made it to the first shelter and some friends from the night before talked me into staying there that night. Got to bed really early so that I could try and make a big day the next day.

Day 34, Miles: 22.0  AT Miles: 316.0

Woke up to a lot of thick fog and started hiking. At one point, I was hiking on a thin, rocky ridge and couldn't see more than 10 yards in any direction, which is unnerving knowing my elevation is around 4400 feet. It cleared up near the end of the day and I got to a shelter around 6. I ate some snacks and decided to push on. I hiked another 9 miles and got to the next shelter around 9:30pm. Thankfully there was plenty of space in the shelter so I cooked a quick dinner and went to bed.

Day 35, Miles: 20.7  AT Miles: 336.7

Slept in a little bit after my new longest day yesterday. After 4 or 5 miles. I ran into my friend Ron and his dog, Bandit. We hiked together for a while and just enjoyed the day and some nice views. we reached the top of Big Bald around 5:00pm. I stopped for a meal and he stopped for the night. After this I hiked around 11 more miles. It was a beautiful night with a full moon and a clear sky. By the light of my headlamp I hiked until 12:30am. This was the first day I have hiked consecutive 20 mile days and I felt great. Tomorrow I will go into Erwin to resupply and hike on. I stopped in Hot Springs so I don't need to stop in Erwin, this way I save a little time and money.

Day 36, Miles: 10.5 AT Miles: 347.2

Hiked 6 miles to the outskirts of Erwin and then hitched into town. Bought enough food to get me all the way into VA without stopping. This gave me the heaviest pack weight since I started...ouch. I ate lunch at Little Caesars and are a whole pizza and crazy bread by myself. So good. After that I hitched back to the trail and hiked another 4 miles to the shelter. 

After Erwin I hauled tail to VA. I hit some absolutely amazing views and made my highest average mileage. I'll be posting again in several days with all of this including Trail Days. Stay tuned!