Forest Fire, Bears, and First 100-mile Week

Stats: Friday night 4/22, MM 447.3

(105.2 new miles, 456.1 total miles)

It’s been a hard and crazy week. I didn’t set out to hike 100 miles, I planned on about 80 to get to Hampton, TN and meet Mary. But a forest fire and bear activity changed my plans.

First 21 Mile Day

Stats: Friday night 4/15, MM 342.1

(88.9 new miles, 350.9 total miles)

 

On Max Patch bald, "we could see for miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles"

I made it just short of 90 miles this week in 5-1/2 days, quite an accomplishment. Included was a 21-mile day that felt really good. I hope I can keep this up, or close to it, so I can finish in September. Yes, I definitely plan to finish!

Through the Smokies...and Beyond

Stats: Friday night 4/8, MM 253.2

(88.5 new miles, 262 total miles)

Fontana Lake

First part of the hike was over Fontana Dam, I was hiking with Bald Eagle. It is huge – built in 1945. It’s the biggest hydro-electric plant on the east coast. We walked across and up the road for a while.

Made It to the Smokies

Stats: Friday night, MM 164.7

(27.4 new miles, 173.5 total miles)

Started out from the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) on Tuesday morning. Tough start – 6 miles straight up, 3,000 feet elevation climb. Even with that we still managed to get in 11 miles. It’s getting easier as we get stronger each day.