There is a physical and mental component to hiking the AT that are related. For example, By fueling your body with a healthy mix of foods and staying hydrated, you’ll have more energy and mountain climbs will be less daunting. So when you arrive at a trailhead and see an angel with magic on the trail, this can give you a physical and mental boost.
magic trail
Over the last 200 miles or so, I’ve gotten a lot of magic on the trails. Some examples are listed below.
I26 and exit from I26
Before crossing under the i26 bridge, a sign along the road said «magic trail ahead.» The diffusion was impressive. Baked French toast, chili, French fries, snacks, Gatorade, soda, etc. Facing a relatively large climb from the I26 gap, I felt energized and motivated to climb the 1,500-foot climb to the top of Big Bald.
preparer
Prepper, a fellow hiker, was supporting his friend, ‘Sub Man,’ as he finished a 60-mile stretch that Prepper had already finished. After meeting Sub Man while finishing my lunch at a shelter, I delivered a message to Prepper at the trailhead south of Hot Springs, North Carolina. I let Prepper know that ‘Sub Man’ was behind me and that I would be at the trailhead in about 15 minutes. Prepper and I started talking while I took a look at my route plan. He asked me what I was doing and I let him know I was planning my resupply. He told me not to worry about the resupply. He had plenty of supplies in his truck. Shared some freeze dried meals, trail mixes, lunches, hydration packs, snacks, etc.
just joe
One day outside Roan Mountain, Tennessee, after hiking Iron Mountain, ‘Just Joe’ was sitting in a parking lot with breakfast, snacks, McDonald’s sodas, and some great stories from a relative of his: Wild Joe Ginstaff.
In each case, the magic of the trail was unexpected, incredibly uplifting, and propelled me down the trail with a smile on my face.
The Smokies – Part Two
After visiting Gatlinburg, the hike resumed at Newfound Gap. With 30 mph gusts and icy conditions, the adrenaline kicked in. The difference between the exposed west side of the mountain and the protected east side of the mountain was dramatic.
A couple of cold nights followed, but the eager young hikers built fires in the shelters and kept conditions tolerable.
Getting over the Smokies felt like a big milestone, but by no means did the fun stop there.
Statistics
I walked about 475 miles in about 38 days. Approximately 12.5 miles per day. That includes several zero or nero days and the path is rumored to get easier in the coming months. I am slightly ahead of the schedule I set before starting the tour.
Last week I weighed 165 pounds, about 7 pounds lighter than when I started the tour. Hopefully my weight will stay above 160 for the duration of the ghe run.
Following
I have already completed Tennessee and North Carolina. Updates will be in my next post.
Plus, lodges are an important part of trail life that I’ve come to rely on. I would like to mention a few that I have enjoyed staying at in North Carolina and Tennessee.
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