Uncle Johnney’s – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 27

You cannot enter or travel through Erwin without seeing the devastation of Helene. I knew about the flooding, but I didn’t appreciate the devastation of the hurricane-force winds funneling through the mountain passes. Hundreds of trees were piled up. The only comparison is the photographs I have seen of forests devastated by volcanoes.

It is difficult to describe the wildfire risk created here. A fire that broke out with this amount of fuel would be almost impossible to stop. Firebreaks cannot be cut through stacked logs. The amount of work to clear the path must have been enormous. The sound of chainsaws in the desert is constant. I know it will take months, if not years, to reduce the fire risk.

Erwin is a wonderful city and everyone I met was super friendly.

• Hostels: I stayed at Uncle Johnney’s Nolichucky Hostel, in one of the hostel rooms (with several bunk beds). I mainly interacted with Laura and she was very helpful. The hostel itself is basic: they don’t give you sheets, for example. You can’t walk far from Johnney’s, but a quick shuttle gets you downtown to most things you need.
• Haberdasher: The supplier is part of Uncle Johnney. It has a mix of gear for hiking and weekend hikes. You can get all the basics, but some things, like backpacks or sleeping bags, don’t carry much or anything. This seems fine, most people already have their important affairs in order.
• Replenishment: I would go to Food City to resupply. The selection and quality are good. According to Uncle Johnney’s Food City the prices are slightly higher, but they are worth it. It was an easy resupply for me.
• Meal: I didn’t eat out, so I can’t personally report on anything.
• Shuttle: Doug was trustworthy, knowledgeable, and approachable.

Tip: When shopping at a supermarket with a discount card, ask if they have one for hikers.

• Breakfast: ½ dozen eggs with cheese, 3 fried tortillas, orange
• Lunch: ½ box of cereal, strawberry yogurt
• Dinner: ½ dozen eggs and cheese, 3 omelettes, 0.65 pound imitation crab
• Snacks: 3 bagels fried in butter, stroopwafel
• Known today: dad, bug
• Days without ramen bomb: 27

I didn’t know condensed milk existed in a squeeze package. Super calorie dense and shelf stable, this looks great…if I could think of uses besides adding it to coffee.

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