Back on the trail (Day 12)

This morning the lodge owner drove me back to Mooney Gap at 7am We were driving along the forest roads at dawn and it was beautiful to see the light beginning to spread over the mountain tops. I was sad to return to the trail without my friend, but I was also hopeful about the day ahead.

100 mile marker

Since I had started my hike early, I met up with some friends who had camped at the AT 100 mile marker at Albert Mountain Fire Tower. We chatted and I returned the sweatpants (aka the sling) to Reflector. I spent the morning with this group of hikers, covering about 5 kilometers of trail. They picked them up at Rock Gap to resupply in Franklin, North Carolina, but I continued.

Lost team

After another mile of hiking, I realized I had left my trekking poles in the gap. I was relieved to find they were still there when I finally returned to them, but somehow my camping shoes fell out of my bag in the process. But I think if that’s the worst thing that happens to me today, I’m doing pretty well.

camping again

Two other hiking friends and I (who had their food stolen by a bear) are camping along Moore Creek tonight. It’s nice to listen to the water as I fall asleep. We had dinner with two section hikers who are completing the AT on weekend trips. So far, they have reached from Springer Mountain to this section in North Carolina.

It’s a lot warmer tonight, which, as we all know, is a relief for me. I have a blister on my right heel that bothers me and my Achilles tendons and arches still hurt a lot. Maybe I’ll change my shoes when I get to the NOC. Something with a bigger drop and more arch support, we’ll see. There were many nice views today. The mountains know nothing about bad luck.

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