May 3, 2017trekwithpat

May 2: Well, we got our nice weather. We really wanted to press the miles because there is another storm system coming through Thursday. The hiking was really tough today though. The worst was a 1400 foot climb in only two miles– very steep indeed. But the scenery was cool with numerous streams and waterfalls intersecting the trail. At the end of the day we could only do fifteen miles. Our feet hurt more than fatigue. My new podiatrist friend (Footloose) has diagnosed and is helping my heel spur. I saw a rattlesnake next to the trail as well. The day ended with a stealth camp 26 miles from Erwin TN our next resupply. That means Thursday will be an ugly storm hike into town. Happy trails.

May 3, 2017trekwithpat

May 1: The water troubles continue; lack of drinking water and water falling from the sky. We woke up in the rain and hiked about six miles in the rain without water. When we got to the top of the mountain we were surprised by a two mile stretch of bouldering around the traverse. It was non stop crawling and climbing over huge boulders at the top of the ridge line. And then the driving rain and 20 mph winds set in. It took us four hours to navigate the boulders and limp into the shelter cold and wet to the bone. Easily the hardest and most miserable day so far. Pictured is a stretch of the ridge line bouldering. We are crossing our fingers for sun to dry out everything. Tough day, but happy trails.

May 2, 2017trekwithpat

April 30: We got onto the trail early out of Hot Springs after a last breaky at the Smokie diner. The weather was nice and I could really feel the strength in my legs after the much needed zero. We hiked 15 instead of the planned 12 since it was so nice and we were feeling strong. We out stripped our water supply and couldn’t find any at the stealth camp we chose at the gap. The dehydration caught up with me that night at 3 am when my calf Charlie horsed like I’ve never experienced before. There was much screaming and thrashing about in my tent undoubtedly leading my fellow heretofore sleeping hikers to believe that the feared bear attack had finally arrived. Normally one would turn to a significant other for help straightening the leg and working the knot out. Out in the woods, mummied into a sleeping bag, and confined to a tent, I just screamed and thrashed before determining that gnawing my leg off was also not an option. Finally, all I could do is raise my sleeping bag clad legs straight in the air in order to access the offending leg. This, of course, half collapsed the tent. You too, dear readers, could be experiencing these similar exploits. Pictured is sunset at Max Patch. Happy trails.