Looking at the elevation map of today, we were in for a big “V”. It would be 6 miles straight down, followed by 7 miles straight up. At least at the bottom of the V there was waiting for us an outdoors center with a chance to resupply and get a cheeseburger before heading out. 

As usual McKay and I hiked together, but today in silence. It was a steep descent and I don’t think either of us were able to keep up a conversation while looking out for roots and loose rocks. 

I let my mind wander as it is tempted to do on long walks in the woods but was pulled back to reality when I saw Right Way (who I swear is Woody Harrelson but who has multiple times claimed he isn’t) stopped in the middle of the trail in front of me. He pointed at a downed tree on the trail in front of us and said “I just retired and this mountain is trying to kill me. I swear I heard it saying ‘just jump’ earlier”

it was a massive tree – full of branches sticking out in all directions. We handed each other packs and poles as we crossed over the tree and continued our walk down.

6 of us, Bubble Wrap, Not Woody Harrelson, Mamas Boy, Nephew, McKay and Myself sat down for lunch together. (Nephew is so named because he’s the grand nephew of Grandma Gatewood – the first woman to thru hike the AT. And the first person to hike it three times. Her first thru hike was at 67 when she told her children “she was just going for a walk”. There’s a lot of cool stuff about her. If you’ve never heard of her, look her up) 

They gave us a table on the outdoor patio. “Is this where you put all the stinky people?” Asked Mama’s Boy. The waitress just laughed and showed us to our seats. All the way in the back corner. 

We all stuffed out faces (after washing our hands in a sink!!). I had a sweet and spicy fried chicken sandwich, a side of Mac and cheese and a coffee. I felt like I could’ve kept eating forever but sadly the meal had to end. We all split a cheesecake and headed out on our ways. 

I bought a new water filter because mine froze the other night, rendering it completely useless. I only needed one piece of the filter so I left the rest in a hikers donation box. As if to thank me for my donation, I saw the exact hiking umbrella Mqma’s Boy had recommended to me the other day. He claims it kept him dry way more than any rain coat on his last thru hike attempt. I snagged it and happily hit the trail. 

The next 7 miles were a slog uphill. McKay, favoring the type of hiking which involves breaks and enjoying yourself, fell back as I put my head down and powered through. I climbed what someone told me was the longest climb of the trail (didn’t fact check it) and silently cursed whoever had made it so steep. We didn’t need to go into that gap, I kept telling myself. We just needed some engineers to make a 13 miles bridge and it’d be so much easier.

The vibes at the campground were a little off – one man sat in the shelter loudly talking on the phone to friend on the other end of the line about his addiction problems while his dog wandered around trying to steal food from people; two others traipsed around the sleeping area in boots (a definite no-no). I retired to my hammock early, ready to read and slip off to sleep. Hopefully this wind dies down or my hammock could be blown clear off this mountain. 

key stats:

Distance: 13 miles 

Elevation gained: 3,800 ft

Dinner: ramen and spam