People on the trail

This is a friend, I met early on. Ran into him again at the dinner.  He is from Michigan.

Hot Springs hiker appreciation !

Every Thursday the town has a pot luck dinner for the hikers. Hikers are a big part of this small town economy. Here are some pictures of the dinner.

Out house

Heater stove at hostel

Stream under small bridge

This is one of hundreds of small streams to cross.

Hot Springs Lodge

This is one of the few towns where the trail goes right through the middle of town. I'll post a picture of the side walk. Where the markers are cemented showing the hikers the way through town.

Hot Springs, North Carolina

Arrived at hotsprings this afternoon after two 18 mile days. Will take a zero here, then head to Damascus, Virginia which is about 9 days from here. One 5 day stretch and two two day stretches. The last two days weather has been great.

So when I got into town wolfed a hamburger, since it's been 15 days since I've eaten town food.

Got to get to Damascus! !! Thru hikers getting thin, injuries, legs and feet. So far I'm good in that area.

Through the smokies

Just made it through the smokies, man very rough. Extreme weather conditions, did 23 miles today.

Halfway through the smokies tonight, cold and snow

People along the trail

There are section hikers and through hikers!

Me and the professor

BEAR ATTACK

Fontana Village General Store! !!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Heading into the Smoky Mountains in the morning. It will take 5 days and 4 nights to get through.  Was hoping for good weather, unfortunately that's not going to happen.  Looks like rain, cold and some snow (oh well).

At this point in the journey about 1/3 who have started at springer mountain have gone home.  The terrain has been difficult, ups and down 4 or 5 , 3 to 4 thousand foot mountains a day. I'll be honest toughest I've ever done. Yesterday coming down the mountain ,man my feet and legs have taken a pounding since I've been here.

After the smokies it should get better, also i'm really getting into shape. The big plus in doing this is just getting in your head to just gut it out, Ya just gotta reach in and push through it.

I'm positive and determined!

Fontana dam

Long hard day, Methodist minister

Yesterday was long and hard, did not arrive at our shelter until dark. Wanted to see if we could save half a day because of rain tomorrow. Almost 13 miles up hill. The terrain is very rough.  The rocks and cliffs can take you out.

Ran into a Methodist minister,  hiking a few days by himself. Good guy, spent last night together at the shelter.
Will arrive at fontana dam a day early and have a 0 day tomorrow before heading to the smokies.
Need to shower and wash clothes (ha),stinky, Craig! !

All is well! !

Another hiking buddy

A few days ago ran into another solo hiker who joined us at our shelter.  He said he had been alone too long. He is now part of our group. So now there are four.

A college professor, graduated from Harvard divinity, and history.
A retired marine.
A retired police officer from Pennsylvania

I can't believe how fortunate I am to be with these good men every one of them. We have become fast friends!

Fontana dam entrance to the smokies

Arrived at noc this morning, taking half day off before heading to fontana dam. Which is the entrance to the smoky mountains. I have 3 days hiking to get to fontana dam. One day might be rain. Then a zero day at fontana before heading to the smoky mountains for 5 days.  With maybe one rain day, man if I can make it through the smokies with good weather that would be so good.

Everything going good !!!!

Water

There are several small springs along the trail to get water.

Franklin hostel north Carolina

Text me with specific questions

801.205.6837

It might take a few days for me to get back to you. T mobile isn't that great on the trail! !

Hypothermia

Being out on the trail can be dangerous, my biggest concern this time of year in the cold and rain is hypothermia. I have been very careful noticing any symptoms. I have sufficient gear to get by. Still you never know it can sneak up on you when it's wet and cold. I'm fairly confident I can work through it especially with another experienced military guy.

Camp site

So far these two guys I'm moving the trail with.  One is a retired marine, the other is a college professor.

My daily schedule, get up first light and hit the trail.  Every hiker hikes alone all day. Then about one hour before dusk meet up at designated location.  Some times they are there and sometimes they just disappear and you never see them again.
Myself and the marine work well together and trust each other. So I think we will hang together for a while.