Make it count: Day #63

Thursday, May 14 - Day #63 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 16.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 820.0/2,193 (37.39%)

Russell Fields Shelter (180.8) to Double Spring Gap Shelter (197.2) - stayed in the Double Spring Gap Shelter

Total ascent - 4,877’
Total descent - 3,720’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**No rain (overcast all morning - sunshine starting at 1pm for the rest of the day)

Coming to you live from the second level of the Double Spring Gap Shelter. There is absolutely nobody here - unbelievable! I worried so much about securing a permit - and the park remains vacant (at least on the trails I’m on)

There is definitely pros/cons to sleeping in a shelter. Most of the cons are negated with no other people here (privacy, noise, space, Covid-19 concerns). The only 1 I’m still concerned about is the mice. Mice are known to chew through clothing, bags, etc. in shelters. There’s precautions you can take: I’m hanging my bag on a dedicated hangar with a built in can on a string. The idea is - the mouse can run down the string - but can’t get around this circle half-can to your pack (see pic). Also - I’m not letting any clothing lay around (especially sweaty clothes which attract mice to the salt). Also - I’m wearing dedicated camp clothes to bed (no sweat) - eliminates mouse from chewing through sleeping bag. Last night went OK in the shelter - but I’m still not nearly comfortable here yet.

Today’s hike (16.4 miles and 4,877’ vertical ascent) was extremely demanding. The climbs were brutal and relentless. The morning was especially difficult because of the technical terrain. The afternoon was better - the sun came out and the course was smoother. I was out there a long time 7am to 4:30pm (much slower than 2miles/hr). I did walk with Lost Poles for about 1-1/2 hours which was really cool.

The body is hanging tough. The heels did better again today. I am; however, starting to feel some knee pain in my right knee the past few days. I need to stay on top of this so it doesn’t get worse. Bottom line - I really look at this AT Hike sort of like playing football (I’ve mentioned this before). After a few weeks into a football season - your body is going to hurt. There’s going to be aches and pains. You just sort of deal with them. (I had a job washing trucks on Saturday morning in high school. I still remember during football season - after the Friday night games - I sometimes could barely walk down the street the following morning to start working). Same goes for the AT. At 820 miles into this thing - you’re pushing your body to limits it’s never seen before - stuff is going to hurt. It’s all a process.

Well - I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t like camping completely alone. Having someone (anyone) at camp to talk with - it brings a sense of comfort. It’s really an isolating feeling sitting in the middle of the woods (miles from anyone) by yourself. When I traveled during my Gap Year in 2010 - I was alone a lot - but you had the TV, you had the internet, you could call family, you had electricity and indoor plumbing — I just never felt all that isolated during my whole year abroad (The only times I felt that isolation was when I was sick). In the woods - there’s not a night I’ve been all alone that I haven’t felt a strong sense of isolation. I guess some people live for such a feeling - but not so much for me.

Big news - my buddies Greg & Korby are planning to drive out to the Smokey’s from Raleigh (where they live) and join me for my Saturday hike into Standing Bear. The plan is for them to start south on the AT at Standing Bear when I start north from Peck’s Corner Shelter. Once we connect - we’ll hike out together. I can’t tell you how awesome this was to find out today. I just need to have a great hike tomorrow to set myself up in proper position. It will be a HUGE boost seeing my buddies!!

Tomorrow is a big hiking day - 21 miles and 5,000’ vertical. I knew when I was making the schedule that this day would be challenging. Head down - just keep moving the feet forward. I get to see Clingman’s Dome tomorrow - the highest point on the AT. Hopefully the weather from this afternoon will stick around for some great views

Here’s to finding that sense of comfort, that sense of belonging. What’s important to you?

Keep it strong out there!!