Finally a signal
Day away from Davenport Gap - Mile 224 - Apr 4th, 2017
Great day back on the trail in spite of starting out with an 8 mile up hill climb. The weather was great - actually had a view from the top of a mountain. Sunny - not terribly hot, if only it could stay that way. It is apparent fewer people are on the trail - the brush on the sides of the trail are becoming more of an issue. Johnny Walker and Muffit never made it to Nantahala but heard today they went to Franklin to recover. Momentum is stopping in Fontana in two days so I'll be back to solo. Support from all of you will be appreciated as always. Since I just got my stove, I had a delicious Ramen noodle dinner - Shrimp! Not expecting this next week to be the most gourmet - tried to keep my pack light for the Smokies. I just hope I didn't cut it so close that I run out of food. Coming into Nantahala was perfect - I was down to one meal but I'll just have to wait and see. Ann asked about wildlife. There's not much to report so far but a guy today took a video of a snake YEAH! I am really excited now 😳.
Today was a much harder day than expected - a lot of up and down including a section called Jacobs Ladder which was a challenge. Spent the day being tired and my feet are not happy. Drank more water than any other day so far. Reach my planned destination and decided to shelter - 70% chance of thunderstorms. Expecting rain the next couple of days but easier to start the day dry. Tomorrow is a long day with big uphills but I might get a chance to shower at Fontana Dam a third of the way thru. Still no cell service but already had to charge my phone. Last night with momentum ðŸ™.
Still can't post. I hear the service improves later on. Another long day and another monster climb but - I'm in the Smokies! It's pretty cold and is only going to get colder. I could try to gain some miles now that I'm solo but for now I don't want to. Being one day ahead allows my zero in Hot Springs to be timed perfectly. I can try to gain a little and have a short day in on Saturday - catch the third round and have all day Sunday to enjoy the Final Round... just don't carry it over until Monday! Not having service is a real bummer now because I don't get to hear from any of you. So, I think I cut it too close on food. Going to have to stretch it out and maybe lose a few more pounds. Might run out a day early (hopefully not more). I do have a nice box waiting in Davenport, TN. so I'll eat well then! Well it's getting late (7) almost hiker midnight ... guess I should get ready for bed. Hope you are all doing well and I look forward to talking with you soon. Good Night.
Freezing cold - wind - rain - not good. Weather tomorrow is supposed to be good but it's only going to last a day 😩. Bundled up now really hoping I can get out of the Smokies to my package, some cell service and some encouragement.
Did not post last night - exhausted. Decided I would try to get ahead in hopes to get to Standing Bear a day early so I hiked 19 miles from before sunrise and arrived in camp after dark just to throw up my tent and sleep. I figured I'd be incredibly sore but enough ibuprofen seems to work. So the goal was Pecks today - didn't happen. Non-stop, hard rain, wind and cold made for a short day just so I could get a spot in the shelter. On the suck factor scale - today was a 10! Good news is the next 2 days are supposed to be dry. I hope so... probably could still make it before more bad weather. Then maybe I can get organized enough to deal with the snow that's on the way. Making Hot Springs by Saturday night is in Jeopardy. Still a day ahead of schedule but the weather may force an extra zero I didn't want... have to wait and see.
MacGyver
Day away from Davenport Gap - Mile 224 - Apr 4th, 2017