Make it count: Day #52

Sunday, May 3rd - Day #52 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 17
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 667.6/2,193 (30.44%)

Wilson Creek Shelter (741.5) to Jennings Creek (758.5) - tent at Jennings Creek

Total ascent - 2,969’
Total descent - 3,822’

Total States Completed - 1/14

** Rain Day (overnight)

Another really good day today! 17 solid miles in a respectable time 7hr-45 min. Finished up at 3:15pm.

I got out of the shelter first - around 7:30am. Chickweed, Amber, and 2 cans caught me at Mile 4.5 while I was taking a break. 2 cans went on ahead and I walked the rest of the day with Chickweed and Amber. They’re definitely slowing down a notch so I can hang with them - but I’ve been pretty strong the past couple days.

It’s definitely more fun to walk with someone. Continuous conversation helps the miles go by so quickly. Plus - I end up taking less breaks and walk faster as well.

The goal today was to end up at Jennings Creek - where there was a swim hole. The other bonus - there’s a campground - called Middle Creek Campground about a mile from Jennings Creek that serves great burgers and milkshakes. Solid!! We made it to camp by 3:15pm and met back up with 2 Cans, we put up our tents, went wading in the creek (no swimming as people were fishing nearby), and then headed for Middle Creek Campground

When we arrived at the Campground - there was a note indicating they close at 2pm on Sundays - it was now around 5:15pm. We saw a truck leaving the area - we flagged them down. Chickweed did the talking. We found out where the owner of the campground lived - in an RV on the property. We went over and talked to her. She agreed to open the kitchen and fix us all burgers and milkshakes. SCORE!!!!

Wow - that was a rewarding dinner after 17 tough miles. We flagged down another camper and jumped in the back of their pickup to get back to our tentsite at Jennings Creek. Very, very nice!

Today was difficult because of the HEAT. I think that is the first time I’ve said this on my journey. But - this was that muggy, humid, 80+ degree heat that made me feel like I was in the middle of summer throwing hay bales in a barn in Missouri. Now - 80 something is not all that bad - until your body has been trained for highs in the upper 50’s to mid 60’s. I couldn’t get enough water today. I must have drank 4 Liters+ throughout the day. My body will definitely need some conditioning to jump from winter to summer in a flash.

Shutting down early tonight. It’s 8:23pm and I’m about to call it a night. It’s gotta be 75+ degrees in my tent right now - I’m sweating as I write this. I’m only planning to sleep with my liner and no sleeping bag. I can’t believe the 180 degree switch from just a week ago (I had my sockcap on, 2 coats, and my sleeping bag up so just my face was sticking out (and I still was cold)

This AT hike is as much about “adapting well” as it is anything else. Tomorrow is set to be the largest ascent of the entire AT to date - over 5,000’ vertical. Here’s to cooler temps and strong calf muscles.

Good night from an early summer evening in the middle of Virginia!