Make it count: Day #51

Day #51 - AT Hike

Saturday, May 2 - Day #51 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 11.2
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 650.6/2,193 (29.67%)

Daleville - Howard Johnson Inn (730.3) to Wilson Creek Shelter (741.5) - tent at Wilson Creek Shelter

Total ascent - 2,959’
Total descent - 2,335’

Total States Completed - 1/14

Really awesome day today! Really FUN day! I need a day like this to recharge the batteries.

I slept until 8:30am at the hotel and only started hiking around 10am. Perfect weather today - blue skies, slight breeze, mid-60 degree temps.

The first mile out of town - here comes “2 Cans” behind me. We hiked together a couple miles talking the whole time. Bummer - he’s actually going to take 3 weeks off the trail after Waynesboro (some family stuff).

Then - around Mile #5 (after 2 Cans had went on ahead of me). - here comes Chick Weed and Amber. So - for whatever reason - I’ve been referencing Chick Weed as Chick Peas - You hear so many trail names that sometimes when somebody tells you something - it doesn’t always register. Her real name is Brianna. The cool thing - these guys walked with me the rest of the day. We were all going to the same shelter - doing a bit of a shorter day with a full resupply out of Daleville

Once we got to the shelter - 2 Cans was there. It was only about 3:30pm. We had an awesome night. Chick Weed had her guitar and played some songs. 2 cans made the fire. We all had dinner and told stories the rest of the night.

A big topic is what my trail name should be. These guys are fascinated by it. Supposedly - Chick Weed and Amber have been spending hours during their day coming up with options. So - first off - they’re astonished by how many clothes I wear. Why would one wear pants and a long sleeve shirt in warmer weather - they’re intrigued by this. Why do I keep my rain jacket or coat on while doing ascents. They also think I’m “very clean” and appear to be ready for a date at any time on the hike. Mr. GQ on trail. If I would have known how much press these Arcteryx shirts would be getting on trail - not sure I’d go that direction again. (Honestly - the reason I’m wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts is for multiple reasons - I get sun-burned easily, I get poison ivy easily, I get bitten by mosquitoes way more than the average guy, possibly allergic to bees, keeping away from cuts, plus - they’re light weight and wick water well). I’m truly not trying to make a fashion statement out here - trust me. But - it must be coming off that way. This is a first for me.

So - names are being thrown out like: Arctic, long-sleeve, coverup, pants, coats, Keith (because they keep forgetting Kyle), etc. All 3 of them were having a great time at my expense - I just sat back and enjoyed the show.

It was a fun night. I got to ice my feet in the creek and get a lot more rest at camp. It’s only 8:45pm - and I’m nearly done with the blog and ready for shut-eye. That’s what 11.2 miles can bring. Short-lived though. But - starting the days earlier (maybe around 7am or so) - I should be able to be at camp around 3-4pm with doing 16-17 mile days. Camp is much more fun when it’s not raining with freezing temps and there’s people to talk with.

I just got a text from Maddy. Her, Pepper, Cascade, and Pan are only at Mile# 705. I’m a couple days in front of them now (I thought they were in front of me). They’ve taken a few more Zeroes. I’m trying to get their take on the Smokey’s. I’m starting to see more people on trail and have more fun - scared that once I do the Smokeys - I’ll be out here all alone again.

Here’s to a good day! Keep em coming!!