Day 25 and 26 will both be coming out today

There was no reason to get up early this morning. I couldn’t start hiking before the ferry started shuttling people across the river at 9 so I took my time getting ready. I bought a jimmy deans breakfast sandwich at the shop. And then another. I washed them down with a cherry coke and then finally packed up my bag and got in line to take the ferry. 

The ferry was one man in a white water raft that took people from one side of the river to the other. Hikers used to just walk across the bridge previously. But then hurricane helene had come through and there was barely a trace of the bridge left. 

When it was my turn to be ferried across, I chatted with the captain on the 90 second ride. He told jackrabbit and me about how crazy the last few months had been. He’d usually be starting the season as a white water rafting guide now, he said, but they didn’t even have a raftable river at moment. There was still debris floating around everywhere. He’d needed to reup his tetnis vaccine just to be able to do this. 

We were dropped off and walked to the trail where we immediately started climbing. Up, up, up. After yesterdays shorter day, though, I was feeling great. I cruised up the hills by myself, enjoying the sunshine and beautiful views. 

After 3 straight hours of climbing, I came to a road and even from a distance, knew what was going on…. Trail magic! I sat down in a lawn chair to enjoy a cup of coffee, a brownie and an apple given to us by BT(Brother Tom). It was around this circle that I learned that Father Time was actually hired as a travelling pastor to walk the trail. Very cool! I learned all this while eating a fantastic salami, cheese and mustard tortilla I had packed out. 

Salt Daddy (who I will only refer to as Salt from here on out because even I have limits), Jack rabbit and I agreed that 9 more miles was a good plan. It would put us at a nice 18 for the day. Very respectable without being too intense. 

We set off again and they took off like they were shot out of a cannon. I had no need for that. We were making good time and I felt no need to push it. I sauntered on. 

But at the next road, I ran into salt, Jack rabbit, Father Time and Poo Bear. They were talking to (redacted) from (redacted). He told us that the AT was closed for repairs in the next section but the work wouldn’t start til tomorrow. We couldn’t camp where we wanted but if we snuck through and made it 4 miles further than planned, we would pass through the full closed area. “But don’t make a scene,” he said. “It’s definitely not really allowed”

If we waited until tomorrow we would have to take a bypass that was longer, steeper and not the original trail. There was little discussion. We all agreed. Let’s push it. 

This time when jackrabbit and Salt took off like bats out of hell, I followed. The three of us raced up the mountain and jumping over fallen trees and climbing down into holes where root balls had once been. It was chaotic, and almost fun. Until we remembered to look at the broader picture and again found ourselves face to face with the damage the storm had caused. 

Coming into camp, we all agreed that we felt shockingly good for a 22 mile day. I also felt like I had earned my second salami and cheese tortilla (this time with mayo). 

Camp is surrounded by downed trees but again the local trail crews have made it as inhabitable as possible. A huge thanks to all of them!

Key stats:

Miles: 22

Elevation gained: 5800 ft

Mile marker: 366

salami and cheese tortillas: 2