New Shoes (Day 14) – The Trek

I gave in. I couldn’t bear to walk more miles than necessary in my trail shoes. My original plan was to wait to buy new shoes when I got to the NOC in North Carolina, but I decided I couldn’t put it off any longer.

Edge of the cliffs

From Wayah Shelter to Tellico Gap was about 9 miles, and I walked all morning to catch the ferry that would pick me up at 1 pm Well, almost immediately. They had left some magical sodas at Burningtown Gap, so I stopped briefly for a Dr. Pepper along the way. When I got my ride, I knew it would be about a 40-minute drive back to the Outdoor 76 outfitter in Franklin, North Carolina. What I didn’t know was that half of this trip would be on treacherous gravel roads that were literally on the edge of a cliff.

outdoors 76

I may have aged 10 years going up and down those mountains, but the help I received at Outdoor 76 seemed worth it. The store had a hiker’s room in the basement where I kept my backpack and charged my devices while I browsed the shoe selection. This outfitter is known for outfitting hikers with trail shoes and they provided me with good information to help me make the right decision. I decided on the La Sportiva Max, which seemed to fit my foot well and almost immediately relieved the arch pain I was experiencing. My right Achilles tendon is still sore, but I’m still giving it time to adjust.

I had some frozen yogurt while I waited for my shuttle to pick me up and take me back to Tellico. My friend with the broken wrist had an orthopedic appointment today and was hoping they would put him in a hard cast and be able to get back on the trail with me. But unfortunately today the doctor confirmed that he needs surgery. Now he returns to Italy.

saying goodbye

Once I reached the gap, I walked the last two miles to Wesser Bald Shelter. My new shoes already feel better, but time will tell if they really work for me. After dinner, our small team, who had been walking together since day one, called our friend to say goodbye before he left the country. It will be sad to see him go.

Tomorrow it’s almost all downhill to resupply at the NOC! I’m excited to sit by the water and eat some «real» food.

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