21APRIL

Hey everyone!

After a month on the trail, an a lot of time to think, I've decided that the AT is not where I need, or want to be right now. I'm posting this from a greyhound station as I wait for my bus home. I will be moving back to Portland where I plan on getting back to work and school. I know now that I can handle hiking the AT physically, but mentally and emotionally it can take a toll being out there alone for weeks or months. The Appalachian trail will be there in the future if and when the opportunity arises! And maybe then I can bring along my best friend. I made tons of interesting individuals that I'll probably remember forever, and seen quite a few awe inspiring views! I may even figure out how to post pictures to this blog to share them.

17APRIL

I pushed a hard couple days into Hot Springs, NC, I left voltron behind a few days back, hoping he'll catch up soon. I enjoyed a delicious dinner and breakfast at the smokey mountain diner, and I did some laundry! All I've really got for the rest of the day is to resupply my food to get me to Erwin tn, which will put me at the 342mile marker! That's all for now.

11APRIL

So we've been in the smokey mountain national park for the last few days. Voltron am I climbed clingmans dome, the highest point on the AT the other day at over 6000 ft. At the top there is a great 360deg viewpoint. The last few nights here in the smokies have been quite cold! There was ice on the trail this morning. I'm working on getting some photos up, thanks for bearing with me. Also, I'm seeing something like 600 views, so thanks for following and supporting me!!

6APRIL

So I have hiked 165.8 miles so far and am relaxing in the afternoon sun at fontanna dam in north Carolina. I have a few issues with my legs, but they gave been clearing up over the last few days. My current hiking buddy, voltron, and I will be staying here tomorrow to rest up a bit, then it's straight into smokey mts ntl park!

Pack weight.

Did some thinking about my gear and food and all up with food and water tomorrow will be 25 pounds! I ought to be able to do some work!

29MARCH

Last night Voltron and I camped about a quarter of a mile from the road to hiawassee, ga. We caught a shuttle in to town and split a room at the budget inn. It's been really nice and sunny the last few days, and we've been doing 10-13 mile days! Resupplied on food, showered, and a bed for the night! Also I've lost 15 pounds in 7ish days...

25MARCH

So I got to the top of springer mountain on the 22nd, and it was muggy and foggy/cloudy. I wet a couple miles down the trail to a shelter hoping it would be less crowded, met some cool people. The next day I hiked about 8 hours, 6 in the rain... For a total of 13 miles. Stayed in my tent that night and it thundered and lightning and poured rain all night :) Hiked 8 miles the next day and stayed in my tent in the rain again haha. Today was rough, had a 5 mile approach up a 4000+ ft mountain, then a smooth 2 miles to the outfitter at neel gap. I haven't been sleeping much at all, and maybe eating 500cal a day... Not good. I was so worn out I decided to get a cabin for the night! I had a delicious French dip sandwhich, an I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bed!!! Oh! Picked up a big Agnes inflatable sleeping pad to go with my BA sleeping bag so the sleep issue ought to clear up. That's it for now!

22MARCH

Mmmmm! Cracker barrel makes for a good last brunch before I step off!

Pack weight.

Weighed the pack checking in at the airport: 22.5lbs, no food or water.

21MARCH

Headed to the airport this afternoon with my Grandpa, on our way to Georgia!

Gear.

If you are wondering what 5 months worth of hiking gear looks like... almost exactly like 2 weeks worth of hiking. This picture is blurry, but all (I hope) that I need, minus food and water.  

20MARCH

For those of you that don't know, I am leaving tomorrow to Georgia, where, on 23March I will be making the first of a literal 5MILLION steps.  From Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mt. Katahdin, Maine, I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I will try and stay on top of updating this blog.

-Joel