From the Journals: DAY 106, June 9

Coach
Ore Hill Shelter - Hostel in Glencliff: 7.6 mi
Due to a logistical error and a thunderstorm in the afternoon, we ended up staying at the hostel. The guys running the place were awesome. They basically did what Kentucky Greybeard did for us in the Smokies, proving my theory that you always listen to a guy with a big grey beard. They suggested to make up miles we should slack pack 26 miles southbound. Apparently they didn't normally suggest this idea because the terrain is very rugged, but I guess our resume passed the litmus test. So, big day tomorrow. We also passed out at 4pm for a 3 hour nap only to wake up, eat dinner, and go back to sleep. I am pretty sure we were extremely fatigued. Tomorrow will put us back on track.

Professor
Coach's dad said "Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast." This has calmed my anxiety a little about our progress. Between injuries (mine and Coach) and logistic nightmares, our plans seem to change daily. I mean, when you think about it, we are trying to tackle something with so many impossible to predict variables that our "plan" is really an ever changing daily guideline...almost an hourly changing guideline. The further we hike North, the more impossible is the "plan."

Right now I am laying in a bunk in the middle of nowhere, New Hampshire that we were forced to stay in because we were waiting for the Post Office (I say Post Office loosely because it was really an old ladies home with a flag out front) to open so we could bring back some winter gear for the Whites, which we are entering tomorrow. As we waited in 90 degree weather for our winter gear (which felt absurd), dirty, bug bitten, or should I say bug ravaged, deet covered sweat mixed in with mud and last night's thunderstorm, another thunderstorm hit and forced us into the Hostel. This was not a part of the "plan."

In the hostel, we met Mud Elephant and Fat Chap. Thru-hikers from the past and apparently very experienced hikers of the Whites. Fat Chap stroked his long grey beard and helped us formulate a new "plan."

At 4:45am I am supposed to wake him up out of his Winnebago, after which he insists on taking us to a breakfast joint because they open at 5am, then to the Franconia Notch, from where we will be hopefully slackpacking southbound (over the Whites) 25 miles back to this hostel. So it appears our Northbound Thru-Hike will include a 26 mile southbound section.

From the Journals: DAY 77

Coach
Campsite - Kirkridge Shelter: 23.0 mi
After four straight days of draining our Zero Day Account, we finally banked some mileage. However, it came with a lot of pain. It was some tough terrain to make up miles on. I am looking forward to sleeping. Hopefully the pain in my heels won't be so intense in the morning. On another positive note, we will be leaving the rocks of Pennsylvania behind us. Today, I have come to the realization that pain will be my other companion for the rest of the Trail. Also, I really dislike snakes. Yet another reason PA stinks. It is snake country and we saw another one today. There is nothing more a snake loves than a hot rock that has been baking in the sun all day. Just more evidence that the sun is crafty and out to get me any way it can. Forgot to mention only one good water source all day.

Professor
I woke up at 2:30 or 3 in the morning with a giant centipede or millipede on my neck. Wide awake after that one...

Long day today, paying for it now, I wonder about my feet. I have a weird bump on the bottom of each one on the pad of my foot before my toes. It feels like a pebble permanently attached in the middle of my foot.

Staying with Fosters and Youngin tonight. Also, sipping on the bourbon Manager Mike left. It is definitely making the night easier. I forgot to mention that Manager Mike had hard boiled eggs waiting for us at the U-Haul before he left yesterday. I can't tell you how much I crave hard boiled eggs, or even better, deviled eggs. I could house like 30!

Slang terms:
Cameling up = drinking lots of water at springs
Letting your guard down = The realization that the day will end...things start to hurt
Hurty = pain
Poison = bugspray
House = eat

From the Journals: DAY 65

Coach
Tumbling Rock Shelter - Birch Run Shelter: 19.6 mi
Took an easier day; it was much needed. We saw the nicest shelter on the Trail at Quarry Gap Shelter. It looked like an old cottage in the woods. A guy called the Innkeeper maintained it very well. Apparently, there is a friendly competition among PATC shelter maintainers for the nicest shelter. The Innkeeper is hands down the winner. We, of course, took no pictures.

Professor
Easy feeling day today. Easy terrain, easy mileage, 19.6 miles. Met the "Innkeeper" planting flowers in flower pots around his shelter (trail maintenance volunteer). The shelter was beautiful, like a quaint open aired English Inn with a garden. It even had chess. Coach and I sopped for lunch and had a nice conversation with the Innkeeper.

Caught up with a couple of thru-hikers. I feel like today was another good recovery day from the 41.3 miler. Figured out that if we have 7 Zero Days we only have to maintain a 19.6 daily average. Good news!

Staying with "Chainsaw" tonight; he got his name from his heavy, heavy snoring.

From the Journals: DAY 55, April 19

Coach

Waynesboro, VA - Black Rock Hut: 20.0 mi

After a successful resupply, we hit the trail by 8:30am. It was easy terrain and we made it to the "hut," which is what the Shenandoah National Park calls its shelters. Two things of note happened today. First, we saw our first black bear of the trip. It appeared to be a younger bear. When it initially saw us it was about 30 feet up a tree. It dropped right down the tree in about a second and then hightailed it over some rough terrain on a fairly steep hill. Moral of the story is that black bears can move.

The second note is that we met a couple of hikers who were section hiking in two trips. One hiker, a woman, was deaf and the other hiker, a man, was completely blind in one eye and partially blind in the other. It is simply amazing the kind of willpower that some individuals can draw upon. I hope the best for this couple on their journey.

When we arrived at the hut, we thought it was going to be a long night, due to the fact that the hut was filled with a Vietnamese boy scout troop. Luckily, the scout master ordered his troop to pitch tents and told us that he knew we needed a good night of sleep. In other news, Fosters and his group arrived at the hut right before dark. We hadn't seen them since before we went into Glasgow to resupply. Tomorrow, we will be hiking our biggest day yet, 34.1 miles. Hopefully, the gigantic rat that has been reported in the shelter log will not attack us during the night.

Professor

Black bear to the left up the ravine 30 ft up in a tree. With amazing agility it was down and crash! into the undergrowth and dried leaves. It ran a few yards up the hill then stopped and looked back at Coach and I just long enough to see we were not a threat. Then it trotted off into the bushes out of sight. This all happened in less than 30 seconds and Coach had just enough time snap one shot with his camera. Everybody we've run into and talked about bears have said we would see our first in the Shenandoahs. 6 miles in, we saw our first black bear of the trip.

Trail Angel Tom gave us a free ride the 4 miles back to the trailhead at 8am this morning. When you walk so long inevitably one enters their own world. I feel like I start dreaming. I dream with my eyes open while walking. A daydream I guess, very deep daydreams. Sometimes, I have daymares, too. It's weird when you get into a daymare... you're walking and your eyes are open but your mind can make it so real. Just keep walking..

From the Journals: DAY 50, April 14

Coach
Thunderhill Shelter - John Hollow Shelter: 15.1 mi
Today, we made the quickest resupply so far, thanks to two old hiking buddies that we ate lunch with. They gave us a ride into Glasgow, VA (5.6 miles away), and waited around to give us a ride back. They also gave us beer. These two older gentlemen are fine examples of good Samaritans that I am happy to have met. I also love the fact that my feet have brand new armor on again. It is nice when you stub your toe or trip that you don't have to worry about if you broke a toe this time.

Professor
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. Perfect temperature, not a cloud in the sky, slight breeze, and easy terrain! There were good views and flowers blooming. It was the kind of day that makes you love to hike.

Trail Angels to Glasgow, VA. Pick-up truck, ice cream, beer, Dollar General and Post Office. We spent 30 minutes trying to hitch a ride 5.6 miles into town before the older fellas picked us up. It was interesting to see people's faces as they rushed past. Curious onlookers at the outsiders on the road. I wondered how my own face looks as I speed pass thumbs. Some accelerate to avoid the awkward moment of a good deed gone undone.

Shorter day because of the resupply nevertheless. Met Atlas today with his 6 month old chocolate lab, Tug. NJ kid, real funny, good storyteller. Had a fire tonight, we don't get them often so it's nice when there is time... I ran out of stove fuel today and was going to have to eat meals for the next 4 days but Flying Squirrel had extra and hooked me up with some. Awesome! More Trail Magic.

From the Journals: DAY 49

Coach
Niday Shelter - Thunder Hill Shelter: 23.7 mi
Finally caught up to Indiana Jones, Red Man, Samurai, Flying Squirrel and Atlas. We had been behind them for weeks. We got in big mileage and tested our shelter tarp. Side note: the privies in VA are better than those in GA, NC and TN.

Professor
Long day. Over 23 miles. Hiked over one of the largest moutains in VA- Apple Orchard. Air traffic control or some sort of Airforce Radio tower on top. Kind of surreal to hike for so long and in the middle of nowhere on the top of a mountain be confronted with what looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, surrounded by barbed wire.

Pushed myself up one of the hills today. I pushed myself hard. It felt really good at the time. I got to the "top" and felt a little sick like I had over exerted myself. Then I realized we had 3 more peaks to climb before we could descend to the shelter. Of course, the shelter was full. Really tired. Coach and I had to set up our shelter and sleep out. Luckily, it did not rain. Caught up to Flying Squirrel, Samurai, Indiana Jones and Red Man. Only 10 or 12 thru-hikers are in front of us now. We ran into a day hiker "Trail Angel," who hooked us up with strawberry fig newtons, electrolyte gummies, cliff bars, and energy drinks. It helped us finish the final ascent to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain.

From the Journals: DAY 48

Coach
Daleville, VA - Niday Shelter: 18.2 mi
Well, after almost 800miles, I have decided to switch out the footwear. I probably could have gotten some more miles out of my MERRELL boots, but it didn't seem worth the risk of having them break down completely. I am going to miss those boots. Having a nice broken in pair of shoes or boots is very comforting out here; now I have to change them. I'm not really looking forward to breaking in the new MERRELL trail running shoes, but the 18 miles today was a good start. However, I am excited about the shoe after I break them in. It looks and feels durable and I am sure my foot will love their new homes after a few days of settling into their new environment. I also changed out my sleeping bag, a difference of 35 degrees in temperature rating. The bag weighs less than 1 pound. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has decided to make me pay for hoping for Spring and the temperature dropped tonight. Stayed with the group of 4 thru-hikers again. They are a good group of guys and a fair amount of laughter has been had. It is especially nice, since you can run into some weirdos who make you want to put some distance between you and them. I forgot to mention another reason it is good we are hiking with these guys- we lost a section of our map. I think the same mouse that stole the Professor's hydration bladder also stole the map.

Professor
Out of Daleville feeling great. I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but I think these Salomon's might be onto something. Coach and I both have new shoes. Kept up a really good pace. Hiked along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Being near the Blue Ridge helped to give a comfort feeling, a reminder that we're not too far from home yet; however, the further I get from the home, the closer I am to returning. Full shelter tonight, all the guys (4) + Dog + Coach and me + 2 section hikers, fit into a 6 person shelter. Spirits were very high today.

From the Journals: DAY 45, April 9

Coach
Warspur Shelter - Niday Shelter: 18.2mi

Got a late start. The body hurts quite a bit from the bad dice roll. However, it did warm up pretty quickly and the morning went by fairly fast. About mid-morning, we ran into a crew doing some trail maintenance. Hiking the trail would be even more difficult without these guys volunteering their time. The second half of the day included a ridge walk over a lot of rocks. I think the terrain really started to bother the Professor's feet. It also didn't help that it rained the last couple of miles of this ridge walk. When we arrived at the shelter, we once again met up with the other group of thru-hikers (Youngin, Space Cowboy, Fosters and Victus).

Professor
Glad we didn't go much more than 18 miles. Put on soaking wet clothes this morning... at least it's getting warmer so our socks and shoes are not frozen solid. Saw our first old growth tree on the Trail today. 18 feet around, an old oak, it was what oaks are supposed to look like. Stayed with the guys again. Space Cowboy is hiking in Nike tennis shoes that are falling apart and missing part of the heel. He has hiked 677 miles in them, no feet problems. He is blessed and I am jealous. Fosters owns the husky, Kaya. He is out of the Army. Youngin is from Ashville, NC. Just turned 20 years old. Victus (the Canadian) is reading the Hobbit for the first time.

Coachism (in reference to dealing with bears): "I like my big stick because nothing likes being poked repeatedly in the face."

From the Journals: DAY 44

Coach
Rice Field Shelter - War Spur Shelter: 25.2 mi
Long day today. We rolled the dice with the incoming thunderstorm and lost. When a sign says 1.1 miles to the shelter it should at least be closer to 1 mi than 2. Met up with a group of four thru-hikers, who seem like theyh are hiking at the same speed. We basically destroyed our knees trail running what we thought was the last mile to the shelter to beat the storm. So long story short, we hobbled into the shelter soaking wet.

Professor
Second night with the four guys (Youngin, Fosters, Victus and Space Cowboy and their dog Kaia, a 2 year old husky). Shelter is totally full. Everybody and everybody and everything is totally soaked.

2 miles to the shelter. Coach and I are dry and happy. The sun is out. Within minutes a spring flash thunderstorm was slamming us with thunder, lightning, hail and big fat cold rain. We got soaked at the very end of the day. Then four soaked dudes and a wet dog showed up. "Canada" was already here getting out of the rain. Clothes hanging everywhere, dripping everywhere. The dog's hiding under the shelter, away from the lightning. I think I have some mild shin splints in left shin/ankle. Little worried about that.

We made a bad decision to try and beat the storm to the shelter. We ran the last "mile" (at least that's what the sign said, it was more...); Knee hurts and wet as a result.

Coachism: "Fence-over" = Fence stile

I have a fear of waking up to a mouse sucking on my beard because I got food stuck in it...
The Elijah Craig was absolutely scrumptious! Thanks Manager Mike!

From the Journals: DAY 42

Coach

Wapati Shelter - Pearisburg, VA: 17mi

Easy day into Pearisburg. I wonder if my body is ever not going to be in pain when I am not hiking.

Professor

Beautiful day. Arrived at Pearisburg. Stayed at the "Plaza Motel." Ate doughnuts and drank a couple beers to boost our blood sugar..

Met "Walker KY Ranger." He had a really red eye, bad infection, made me not want to touch anything for fear of catching it. Just wanted to curl up in a ball and close my eyes.

From the Journals: DAY 38

Coach

VA42 - VA623: 16.8 mi

We had an easy mileage day to meet Marcus, but the winds were very strong and there was quite a bit of snow on the ridgeline. At the pickup point we happened upon Marcus sleeping in his car, so we decided to wake him up by slowly rocking the car. He woke up and we had a happy reunion.

From the Journals: DAY 29

Coach

Moreland Gap Shelter - Watauga Lake Shelter: 16.7mi

Last night with the storm we were basically cramming ourselves against the back wall of the shelter in the 8-12 inches where rain wasn't hitting us and wrapped up in our emergency blankets like burritos in our attempt to stay dry. All in all we stayed relatively dry, since we only caught the tail end of the storm, but it was not a very restful night. Today, we hiked down to Kincora Hostel for a resupply. We did laundry, took a shower, and ordered a pizza. We ate the pizza in about 5 minutes with an order of garlic bread. Probably could have eaten another one.

Met Bob Peoples, who runs the hostel. He is basically the Chuck Norris of the AT. "Bob Peoples gives his boots blisters" and "When Bob Peoples stays at a shelter mice bring him food." The guy is awesome and he has done over 6,000 hours of work on the AT. His section of the AT is very well maintained and the work he does is very hard manual labor. Bob Peoples also told us that the last 30 miles of TN is known to thru-hikers as the TN Turnpike, because hikers usually increase their pace by 1/2 mph. Really looking forward to it. Last few miles were a nice hike to the shelter. It appears that the Professor's mileage is decreasing before the pain really starts to affect him. Hopefully, the easy terrain will help him.

Professsor

Discovering that it is almost impossible to do many miles on resupply days. Gonna have to rethink that. Bob Peoples, the man, the myth, the legend. Over 6,000 hours of trail maintenance logged. He moves mountains with his mind. My feet hurt, we lost mileage on the resupply drop, had to go to our backup plan and stay at Watauga Lake. Tired.

From the Journals: DAY 25

Coach

No Business Shelter - Curley Maple Shelter

The resupply took 4hours today. However, about an hour of that was not our fault. The shower was amazing. The hostel had the best bathhouse I have seen out here. Met 3 thru-hikers, we had been trailing for several days. Got back on the trail about 1300. Stopped at the first shelter we came to. We decided to huddle up and make a new gameplan. Basically, we decided that to achieve our overall goal of reaching Damascus by Saturday, our bodies need some rest. This of course makes sense, when you realize that we traveled about 73mi in 3.5 days. So, I decided to supplement our food bags with extra protein bars, snickers, and cinnamon buns. The bags are huge now. I really need to lighten my base weight to start carrying more food. At the end of the night we had our strategy session, which I believe have been the key to our early success. It all hinges on Virginia.

Professor

Uncel Johnny's. Caught up to Diggit, Face, and Dust. Long hot showers. Resup- HEAVY. Feet killing me. Forced to reasses THE PLAN.

Dust-- Thru-hiker who carries a 2gallon jug of pink goo that he claims is pure protein. He also was the one who warned Coach and I about eating too much protein...

From the Journals: DAY 19, March 14

Coach

Standing Bear Hostel - Roaring Fork Shelter: 15.3mi Standing Bear Hostel is awesome. Good time with youngins: Gadget, Nicholas, WhiteFang and 3stove.

Professor

Ate baked ziti leftovers for breakfast and left Standing Bear. We got to the shelter and it was full, so we had a tarp tryout. Took us an hour or more to set up the tarps we bought as an "emergency" shelter. After we slept in the tarp we decided to send it home. (=1.5lbs). It rained in the morning but we stayed relatively dry.

From the Journals: DAY 17, March 12

Coach Newfound Gap - Tri-Corner Knob Shelter: 15.6mi Last half of the day trucking through snow really sucked. First time we were passed by someone who started after us.

Professor 15+ miles, deep snow, hard, tired, Charlie's Bunion. People on the Trail Gadget: California, glass eye, lost 50lbs to hike the AT, never been backpacking before this experience. Got his name because he carries lots of "gadgets" with him...phyiscal therapy electrodes, etc.

From the Journals: DAY 12, March 7

Coach Cable Gap Shelter - Fontana Dam Shelter: 6.6 mi

Professor swears that thieving mice carried off his Platypus (water bag)...

"It's Joe Sullivan"

Winter Wonderland

ATL Dave

Professor

Ice crystals growing off a branch...We woke up and hiked through a winter wonderland this morning. It was a short easy day to Fontana where we met Manager Mike for resupply. When we walked up he was already hanging out with Treebeard, Stormsong, and their friend Moonpie who had brought trail magic in the form of a huge spread of food out the back of her minivan. It didn't take long for them to convince Coach and I to take a "Nero" day and indulge in Moonpie's Trail Magic chili and beer.

A BIG thank you to Manager Mike for this resupply...

People on the Trail

Kentucky GreyBeard- Ridge Runner, believe it or not he is actually from Louisville! But, when he isn't enjoying retired life in the Bluegrass State, he's running the ridges of the Southern Appalachians saving Spring Breakers and scaring bears. I kid you not, one of his duties as "Ridge Runner" is to..."give problem bears a bad experience with humans..."

TreeBeard: "It's me, Joe, Joe Sullivan!" he proclaimed. I learned TreeBeard's real world name. It's on the few real names I've heard while out on the trail. I almost felt embarrased, like I saw something I wasn't supposed to see. A reminder of lives beyond the Trail...

Photos Courtesy of Manager Mike: Fontana Dam

Arriving at Fontana

Arriving at Fontana

Trail Magic

After a shower

Hiker Dave, Coach, Professor, Stormsong, Treebeard, Moonpie

Professor's Blisters on Left Foot

Coach and Professor laundering

Next Destination- The Great Smoky Mountains and snow!

From the Journals: DAY 11

Coach
Sassafras Gap Shelter - Cable Gap Shelter: 16.7 mi

7:40am start. Experienced yet another type of weather today. It is amazing to see it change so quickly and run the gambit at the same time. Took it easy on the pace. The Professor is starting to get annoyed about his prep time on his feet. It is taking a long time, but there really isn't an alternative. Got in bed by 6:30pm. Arrived at shelter and ate and quickly got into bed. Temp. dropped quickly.

Professor
Rain and fog Cable Gap w/ ATL Dave. COLD 22 degrees. There is a mouse in this shelter...

From the Journals: DAY 10

Coach
Cold Spring Shelter - Sassafras Gap Shelter: 18.4 mi

Cold Spring Shelter was very creepy. Started 8:15am in light rain. Made good time to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) where we ate lunch. Very strange vibe from people at NOC. Pushed to Sassafras Gap, where we ran back into Treebeard and Stormsong, who apparently stayed in the next room at Ron Haven's Budget Inn. Bad storm at night.

Professor
Just when you think you can't get any wetter...my calf really bothered me today. I had to wrap it with an ace bandage. 18.6 miles, in the rain, went through Nantahala Outdoor Center; took midday break, much needed for calf and feet. Hiked til right as it was getting dark. Staying @ Sassafras Gap Shelter. Everything has gotten wet to varying degrees:

Backpack = soaked (we sent home pack covers)
Clothes = Hiking Set is wet and cold (we sleep with them to keep them from freezing, and our body heat dries them a little), and Sleeping Set is damp because we sleep with our hiking set.
Sleeping Bag = damp from sleeping in clouds.
Boots = wet, if we hike for a bit on dryish ground we can "hike them dry"

Caught up to Treebeard and Stormsong, met ATL Dave for the first time.

From the Journals: DAY 8, Mar. 3

Coach
Franklin, N.C.: 0 mi.

Massive amounts of eating. K-Mart + Panty hose.
Outfitter (delirious)

Professor
Zero Day in Franklin, N.C.
At Ms. Lois's Restaurant we ate:
1. Sampler Platter (2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon and one piece of sausage with an order of hash browns and one biscuit with gravy over it) x2
2. Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes, Regular (3)
3. Double Cheeseburger (1/2lb of ground chuck)
4. Mushroom and Swiss Burger (1/2lb of ground chuck)
5. Side orders of: Onion Rings, Mac n' Cheese x2, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Sweet Potato Casserole
6. Piece of Chocolate Pie x2

I learned that if I overeat, even while hiking the AT, it still makes you feel bad...I tried to keep up with Coach, but it is literally impossible! I know now not to try that again...

Ron Haven took us on an afternoon tour of his kingdom of Franklin...as six thru-hikers piled into his small tour bus, there was a homemade video explaining what one can do in Franklin, "..this is the Walmart, here is Ms. Lois's Restaurant, here is the Outfitters..." as it looped in the background. Ron spoke louder than the video and told us stories of his childhood in the tomato patch, and absently complained here and there, and justified certain local political issues he was passionate about. The older couple (this is their second thru-hike attempt b/c the man got lime disease in VA last time so they had to pull off the trail; they are German professors), the loner, Coach and I all listened to Ron quietly and respectfully as he talked and drove us to various resupply locals in Franklin.

"I'm just an ole' hiker" said Ron in his thick NC accent, "and I understand what y'all are tryin' to do." He looked me in the eye through the tour bus rearview mirror. I could tell he knew more about my journey that I did, and all of a sudden, the trail ahead felt long.

The next morning he dropped Coach and I and several other Northbound thru-hikers off @ the trail head, where we left Ron's Kingdom behind.

People on the Trail
U-Haul: A Northbounder who got his name from the amount of stuff he carries - several tents, several cooking situations, his pack must have been 70+ pounds! I learned later from other thru-hikers that he had no rain gear...

From the Journals: DAY 6

Coach
Plumorchard Gap Shelter - Carter Gap Shelter: 19.8 mi.

0500: Wake up & Breakfast (Protein bar with PB) & Pack-up
0615: On Trail
0940: Stop to eat 1st lunch @ Muskrat Creek Shelter (9.3mi) & water stop
1040: On Trail
1340: Stop to eat 2nd lunch @ summit of Standing Indian Mountain (13.8mi) side trail (0.1mi)
1430: On Trail
1730: Arrived at shelter for night, Carter Gap. Total miles for the day 20.0 mi.

*Best mileage day yet.
Thru-hikers met: J.C. (English guy), ate lunch with StormSong and TreeBeard

Today, we basically put into motion the strategy we discussed last night. We also entered North Carolina and grounded out 20 miles on tough terrain.

Professor

TreeBeard & StormSong (supportive wife at home like me!)- It's uncanny how much of a similar situation they have to Coach and I. I wouldn't be suprised if we leapfrog with them for a little while.

J.C.- an older Englishman in his 60s hiking it very slowly from shelter to shelter. He averages 6-8 miles a day and is planning on finishing before Mt. Katahdin closes for the season in October. Seems like a really nice guy and I'm sorry that we won't be hiking much more with him.

I like the dynamic of the Group in the shelter tonight. Everybody is really chill, good @ conversation and positive about the future.

Common topics of conversation amongst thru-hikers so far:
1. Pack weight and how to decrease
2. FOOD
3. Mileage hiked
4. Weather
5. Gear
6. Boots, trail shoes, footwear
7. Feet
8. Future food consumption

We hiked 20 miles today; it was difficult but for the most part my body felt strong. My feet definitely hurt by the last 5 miles or so. We ate a lot to keep fueled (probably 3,000 calories or more). Sleeping at Carter Gap Shelter tonight. Getting colder in higher elevation, oh yeah, WE CROSSED INTO NC!!!! Goodbye GA! I can already tell a difference changing with ecosystems. I feel like I'm getting closer to the Smokies, closer to my childhood home. It smells familiar. I'm really excited to do this part of the trail again. It brings back a lot of nostalgia from childhood...