Difficult descents – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 13

The trail to the NOC from Wayah has endless views. It is also narrow with ridge trails, stairs and steep switchbacks. I was very happy for the clear weather today. A fun hike, but I wouldn’t want to do it in the rain or with lightning. I couldn’t really take any photos that captured how steep and narrow it was. But the Wesser Tower is worth seeing if you still have the legs for it when you get there.

The 15.7 miles took me to Rufus Shelter just before the NOC. You can go three more and get a bunk at the NOC but I can’t justify the expense since I just stayed in a hostel. H, E and Jerz arrived at Rufus Shelter and it was a great evening chatting around the fire. Over dinner we discussed trail names for H and E (all vetoed) and it was good camaraderie.

I actually love green tunnels.

Tonight we lit the first fire I ever made on the AT. Normally my favorite thing to do is light a fire at night, but until now I haven’t had the energy to light it.

The Rufus Shelter is small and doesn’t have many good tent sites, so a lot of people will squeeze through the tent vch3.

• Breakfast: oatmeal
• No lunch
• Dinner: cous cous with dried tomato
• Snacks: Macadamia Clif Bar, Raspberry Fig Bar, Blueberry Walnut Clif Bar
• Known today: great man
• Days without ramen bomb: 13

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