April 25 - Bald Mountain Shelter

From PJ:

We are at Bald Mountain Shelter right now eating lunch. We are going to No Business Knob Shelter tonight and then to Erwin, TN tomorrow...

So, unfortunately I will not be able to handle any business tonight.

April 24 - Alan Gap

From PJ:

So yeah, we had to shuttle out of Hot Springs up to Alan Gap. That whole section will be shut down for at least another week. There were rangers at all the entry points, so we couldn't even stealth hike through.

We walked about 12 miles to Jerry Shelter. The guy doing trail magic came and told us about it after we had made camp so we walked about a mile which was easy without our packs. I ate three burgers which were super good. This guy and his wife lugged a bunch of food up there which was pretty awesome.

Oh, and that was not "Big Butt Mountain" yesterday. I was mistaken. But we will be hitting that tomorrow. 

Hot Springs was really cool though, a lot of the people I'd been camping with were able to catch up so we have a fun little crew now. Had an awesome omelette today at a hostel which was a really cool place. Patriot and I were the only ones to stay there out of our group, everyone else stayed at the laughing heart hostel which apparently was awful.

I was able to buy a new filter and ordered a battery pack that I will pick up in Erwin, TN on Tuesday. 

Chandra and Mom both sent me some money which really helps. Some of the places can be really expensive, so I really appreciated that. I was able to take more videos and photos today, but I didn't have good enough reception to send them out. Anyway, gonna try to do 21 miles tomorrow. My shins were hurting today, but hopefully I'll be good to go tomorrow.

April 23 - 300 Miles and Trail Magic

From PJ:

300 Miles. 

We had to skip a 15 mile section because of the fire. But we passed the 300 mile marker. [So PJ made one of his own].

We are hanging out on "Big Butt Mountain." Ran into some awesome trail magic.

Trail Magic

April 22 - Hot Springs

From PJ:

I made a video, I'm gonna send it to you when I have wifi. There is a wildfire on the trail right now. We are resting in Hot Springs right now, so hopefully it will be under control soon. It is raining pretty good right now, so that should help, but the next 20 miles of the AT are shut down.

[For breakfast] I ate a lot, but nothing compared to the two guys I ate with. This kid Fritz put on a show. I wish I had a picture, but I was charging my phone.

Had to poop in a toilet today. Feeling less manly already.

This is what I dream about on the trail

I'm going to do a video fo the hostel I'm staying at, but it is really cool. It's a house from the 1850s. Patriot and I are actually staying in the room Earl Schaffer stayed at in 1948 and 1998 when he through hiked the AT. Earl Schaffer is the OG of the AT. Like the Babe Ruth of hiking.

Earl Schaffer

We have a sweet porch off our room, too. We're just hanging out - watching the rain.

[The break - because of the fires] is cool. A lot of hikers are stuck in town because the fire. Everyone is just hanging out.

I'm not exactly sure [when the fire will be controlled]. I can see and smell the smoke, but all the information I've been given is just word of mouth. I was told the ATC already came out and said that we can skip that section and still be an official through hike. I was told it may be up to a week before it opens.

Last night we could see planes flying over super low, and we were wondering what it was all about. My guess it that they were a part of the fire crew. Even after the fire is out it can still be closed because there may be a lot of downed trees and stuff.

I'm glad we booked our room yesterday because all of the hostels are full now.

I'm not sure if you can see, but there are burnt trees up there

April 21 - Deer Park Shelter

Dirt Tan

From PJ:

At Deer Park Shelter or something like that. Today was much easier than yesterday. We did over 16 miles and were done by 2 o'clock. Very excited to go into Hot Springs. We are only 3 miles out so we should be there pretty early. Can't wait to get breakfast. Might be a 2-plater.

And [excited to] take my first shower in 12 days. Believe it or not I don't smell that bad. I give myself wet wipe baths and I brought deodorant. But as you saw, I'm covered in dirt.

***

I'm thinking three eggs over easy, wheat toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, and a big glass of OJ.

***

This is what I fantasize about while hiking. There could be a naked lady standing in front of this diner and I would push her out of the way if she interfered with my breakfast.

***

All we do is talk about food out here.

April 21 - Quick Check In

From PJ:

Did Prince really die?

April 20 - Max's Patch

Okay - so this quote was chosen by Catania. I like it. I sent it to PJ. Not sure if he likes it, but I put it on here for fun...

This was from Monday - On top of Mt. Klingsman

From PJ:

I'm gonna try to keep this brief because I'm still having issues with my phone. Patriot and I set up camp just past Max's Patch. Another big day.

Today started out as the toughest day so far. Legs feel fine but we had a 5 mile climb to start and I was drained. I could feel the lack of calories and was doing my best to eat and drink as much as I could but it is much harder than you think. 

I'm low on food (which is a good thing because I'm resupplying on Friday), but my water filter is busted and water sources were few and far between. By about three o'clock I was drained. I was moving very slow on the inclines and had to break every few minutes or so. The fact that we're going into town on Friday was really the only thing keeping me going.

Got into Brown Gap just in time to see this couple give an old guy their last Gatorade which really sunk my spirits even more. Not that I was miserable or anything, just exhausted. I spent most of my time fantasizing about different foods and beverages. 

Then about a mile before our final destination, there was trail magic. It was like an oasis. I couldn't believe it! On a Wednesday Afternoon in a relatively isolated location. These guys hiked last year, so they knew what the hikers liked and they had EVERYTHING! I pigged out.

I actually ate two hot dogs (one of which I combined with string cheese I had melted over the fire) which is pretty crazy considering my last hot dog was over a decade ago. So yeah, it basically turned the whole day around.

We hung out with them for a couple of hours and then headed up to Max's Patch to camp. Unfortunately my phone was off, so I didn't get any pictures, but it was some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen so far. But I was talking to "Patriot" and we both agreed it is good to have some of these moments to yourself.

Anyway - Just cavemanned it and now in my tent. Quite the day. Gonna put another big day in tomorrow. 18 miles or so, but the elevation doesn't look bad which makes a world of difference.

Also there were 4 doggies at the trail magic - which made it even better.

Evening

April 19 - Davenport Gap

Getting closer...

From PJ

Been having phone issues. Did the marathon yesterday in about 12 hours also well over a mile in total elevation. Felt well enough today to do another 14.8 miles. 

At Davenport Gap shelter.

Physically fine, but kinda low energy. Trying to eat a lot tonight, but not as easy as it sounds.

Smokies are beautiful, but kinda mad because my phone died. Nice trail, but the camping stinks A lot of rules. (not Brule's Rules).

From PJ (continued):

Been hiking with a buddy I met last week named "Patriot." Been fun. H was the one who decided to do the marathon yesterday because his brother was running the Boston Marathon.

My battery is super low so the next couple of days I might be out of touch if there is no sun. Going to Elmer's Hostel in Hot Spring, NC on Friday to recharge.

April 17 - Bear Country

From PJ:

Hey Catania, I am at Double Spring Shelter. My reception isn't good enough to send a video so I will try tomorrow. Big day tomorrow. Going to start hiking at five so we can get to Klingsman Mountain for sunrise. This will be the highest elevation on the whole AT. 

Also going to try to hit 26.2 tomorrow for Marathon Monday. Not my idea, but I'm going to give it a go. Will probably take all day.

[Later in the day].

It's April 17th, it's night time. I'm trying to find my tent. 

We are in bear country now. Apparently the bears are up and at 'em, so I just hung my whole pack up in a tree. And I'm nestled right back in here. I'm in Tennessee right now, but if I go twenty feet, then I'm in North Carolina. 

Well, hopefully we don't get any visitors...

16 April - Great Smoky National Park

From PJ:

Morning of April 16th, we are going into Great Smoky National Park.

It's my mom's birthday, Happy birthday Mom.

Just getting going. Just trying to beat out all these lamewads who I had to camp with last night. They were annoying so, I'm going to try to go seventeen miles today. Should get up one shelter on them. In the Smoky's we have to stay in a shelter, so my miles are gonna be kind of dictated by where I can sleep.

Made it to Spence Field shelter from Fontana dam before 4 PM. It was all uphill today. Climbed 3000 ft, but the terrain was pretty good so I made good time. Camped with much cooler people tonight than last night.

April 15 - Fontana Dam

From PJ:

PJ Doing some Easier hiking on the trail - headed toward Fontana Dam

It's April 15th, Friday. It's about 8:45 AM. I'm walking down to Fontana Dam. Only going to do about 8-9 miles today, so that's pretty cool. Then I'll see if I go into this town. The town is only two miles off the trail, so I might try to slack pack it. That's what they call it. Leave my pack somewhere, and just walk in there or get a ride and come back out after a few hours. I just want to get a couple of things. 

But we'll see what happens when we get down there. 

This is easy walking right now. It's like this about 5 % of the time. 

Fontana Dam is in the background

We are coming into Fontana Dam, finally. I just saw it about an hour and a half ago, and I'm basically going around the whole thing. It's taking forever...

***

So...we're still hiking. It's April 15th. It's getting dark. Hopefully I won't need my headlamp. But this is just for the record that I walked back to where I started from. I could have taken a shortcut, but I did not. Hopefully I'll be at the camp before it gets too dark. Cuz I still got to set up. That shelter's gonna be full. I already know it.

Sleeping bag on the ground - camping "a la mode."

Final resting spot. We're going tentless. Out in the open. The shelter is full. You can hear these fools being super load. We're going a la mode. Out in the open. We'll see how it works.

***

[Catania's Interjection]:

PJ sent a few messages today. I'm not sure what he means by saying that he hiked back to where he started. I'm guessing it has to do with going into Fontana. 

In one of the videos PJ sent, I could hear a lot of loud talking. Then I heard some more updates...

I chilled in Fontana all day after I hiked about nine miles. Awesome day met a lot of people. Also was interviewed for a podcast so I'll let you know when it comes out.

***
The following is a highlight of texts from PJ later that night...

Some drunk chick at the shelter tried to start an argument with me so I had to put her in her place in front of 30 people...She basically was mad that I was proud of the fact that I could go pee standing up.

I was actually embarrassed for her by the end, and I felt kind of bad. I ended up having to tell other people to lay off of her. She's wasted, but she wouldn't let it go.

So yeah - I'm camping with a new set of people I don't really know if you can tell. This is about the fourth group I've fallen in with. Needless to say I'm not really digging them.

I made nice with her in the end just so I don't have to deal with her.

April 14 - Jacob's Ladder

From PJ:

[Camping Solo] was fine. Doing it again tonight. Will be at Fontana Dam tomorrow morning.

It will be a short day tomorrow. Did over 15 miles the last three days [each]. My dogs are barkin'. Might stop in Fontana to eat, but will be sleeping at the Fontana Dam shelter aka the "Fontana Hilton." I guess it is a really nice shelter free showers.

Hiking has been tough. Still a lot of elevation went up Jacob's Ladder today which was brutal. In a few weeks it should get easier. Have lost some weight already. I have to wear a belt now. Which is funny if you saw what I eat and how much I eat. Probably burned 6,000 calories a day - no exaggeration.

From Catania (to PJ)

"That's cool. Chase just said you were inspiring, then asked, "What does inspiring mean?"

Rex answered, "Inspiring means killing."

From PJ:

There is a mouse outside my tent right now. I might inspire him if he tries to get in.

A mouse chewed through someone's tent last week and the guy smashed the thing.

Georgia Video

Here is PJ's video!

April 13 - Camping Solo

From PJ:

I'm at the NOC - The Nantahala Outdoor Center. It's a pretty cool place. They've got a lot of kayaking and stuff, and a little restaurant.

The NOC

PJ has to hang his food up in the tree - to keep away raccoons, rodents, or BEARS!!!!

It's Wednesday night, I just set up my spot right here on this trail. I got my bag up, I'm all by myself. There's nobody that way for a long time- til the outdoor center. There are no shelters between and no shelters on the other side of this for like two miles. So I just camped here. Camping solo tonight. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, I think the bears are all still sleeping, so I'm more worried about the mice than anything. 

Oh, and somebody left a 20 dollar bill on this plaque, which I'm assuming was trail magic. Anyway, I'm 20 dollars richer...

Data: 

Since PJ is hiking in some undesignated place, I'm just going to do my best guess...

Days Hiking - 13

Miles hiked today: 17.4

Elevation Gained Today: 3909 ft.

Total Miles Hiked - 143.1

April 12 - Franklin, Siler Bald, and Cold Spring Shelter

From PJ

"I've been trying to send out an email with a video, but it hasn't been working. Anyway, headed out of Franklin, NC now. Rainy day all day. Today my pack is very heavy now that I got Mom's package. Trying to send out more stuff. 

My phone had died - I haven't had a lot of sun for my solar charger.

Also, I met Ron Haven, who is kind of a legend on the trail. He owns a few motels - which is where I stayed last night. He gave us a ride to and from town and also drove me to my mail drop and Walmart for free. Also has a lot of funny stories."

Random Picture of Ron Haven I found online...reminds me of Ron Swanson - which is about the biggest compliment a man can get.

Lunchtime - PJ is just trying to pack in the calories these days - with all his hiking he needs as much as he can get!

Siler Bald - Very Foggy

More from PJ:

It's April 12th, Michaela's birthday. Happy birthday Michaela. It's about noon-ish. 11:30. I just hiked up to this bald. Siler Bald It's really foggy out. I've been going back and forth sweating and being cold all day. I'm out of breath because I just hiked up this mountain. 

I stayed in Franklin, North Carolina last night. Ron Haven's Budget Inn. It was alright. I just stayed inside. I ate a lot of food. My pack weighs about 60 pounds right now, probably, I have so much stuff in it. But  hopefully I'll get rid of most of that tonight. I have some sodas and Gatorade and other stuff that's really heavy.

I've been doing about 5 miles so far, and I've got about 10 more to go before tonight. I'm probably going to try to stay in a shelter again because it's so wet out. Makes it a lot easier in the morning - don't have to pack up your tent.

Bartram Trail - Paved

A Bit More from PJ

This is the Bartram Trail. This is the first part of the trail that's been paved like this. I don't even want to walk on it because it hurts my feet. But it has cleared up a lot. Nice and sunny. We're over a mile high right now, so I should get some pictures of this vista.

View from Cold Spring Shelter

"This is the view from Cold Spring Shelter where I'm staying tonight. Weather cleared up. It is beautiful out. I'm eating so much food tonight just to cut weight in my pack."

***

As you can tell, PJ made a video that he wanted to upload to the blog. I think that we've come up with a work-around, so hopefully we'll be able to see it at some point. Of course, Wifi is always spotty, so much of the technological stuff depends on that.

Data:

Days Hiking: 12

Miles Hiked Today: 15.6

Elevation Gained Today: 3340

Total Miles: 125.6

April 11 - Rainy Day

On the Trail - the waterfall is actually the trail because of the rain.

From PJ:

It's Monday Morning, April 11. I'm actually on the trail right now. This [waterfall] is like part of it. I got confused for a second because it looks like water, but it [the trail] picks up.

I stayed in Long Branch Shelter last night. I actually stayed in the shelter for the first time instead of my tent. It was alright. It KILLED my back. That's my worst injury - from sleeping rather than hiking. 

I'm going into Franklin, North Carolina. I've been hiking some better miles lately. I broke away from that group I was with before. But hopefully, I can meet them in Franklin. I'm trying to get all the way to Winding Stair Gap today, which is up further than the entry point to get into Franklin, so when I get back on the trail, I'm going to be way ahead of these guys, but yeah - it's going pretty good.

It's been COLD the last two nights. Last night wasn't as bad.  I finished the video, and I'm going to try to send it."

Data:

Days Hiking: 11

Miles Hiked Today: 10

Elevation Gained Today: 0 - all downhill today. Don't let this fool you...hiking downhill is tough. Maybe even harder than going uphill.

Total Miles Hiked: 110 miles

10 April - Albert Mountain

From PJ:
"I'm on top of Albert Mountain right now. 100 miles in."

He also included a few pictures with this update.

Self Explanatory

Every year, there is a "Feed the Hikers" weekend. PJ worked it out to be here during the celebration. I don't know how it went, but I suspect he'll update me soon - when he gets better signal.

Bluets along the trail

Right now, I know that PJ doesn't always get the best signal or service, so the updates come and go. He's still hiking, and now it has been over a week!

Data

I don't have exact information, but this is my best guess...

Days Hiking: 10

Miles Hiked Today: 21.5 miles*

Elevation Gained Today: 3,942 ft.*

Total Miles Hiked: 100 Miles

* Keep in mind, yesterday's update was given during the middle of his day, so this might have inflated today's numbers. This is what he has done since his last update.

9 April - NC

PJ made it to North Carolina.

From PJ:

 "I have the sudden urge to take my shirt off and spin it in the air just like a helicopter."

Data:

I'm not exactly sure where PJ slept tonight, but when he made it to the NC/GA border, he had accomplished the following:

Days Hiking: 9

Miles Hiked Today: at least 5 miles

Elevation Gain today: at least 1,066 ft.

Total Miles Hiked: at least 78.5 Miles

April 8 - Mt Tray, Powell Mountain, and Plum Orchard

A quick update from PJ

Taking a break on Powell Mountain. Slept at Tray Mountain shelter last night. Cold and rainy...and windy but it is always windy. Heard some coyotes only a few hundred yards away. Sound like pups.

Plan to go to Plum Orchard shelter tonight.

View from Tray Mountain

"Dozer" - a good ol' boy from South Carolina at Tray Mountain

Data

Days Hiking: 8

Miles Hiked Today: 15.5

Elevation Gain: 2,784 ft

Total Miles Hiked: 74.1

April 6 - Goin' to Hiawasse

Appalachian Trail, GA

From PJ Early in the day: 
"Good morning. It's April 6th. Wednesday, I think. I only walked about an hour so far. It's about 9 o'clock right now. I just stopped to take off my sweatshirt, because it starts off freezing in the morning, and then an hour into it, you're sweating. And in another hour, I'll take of this hoodie. 

So, I just stopped, had a little snack, drank some water. 

Um...last night was just another regular night in Low Gap. Went to bed early. Didn't really sleep. Haven't slept good at all out here, but that's just kind of the deal. Maybe get five hours total, but Probably half an hour at a time, or something.

Tonight, I'm going into Hiawasse, Georgia. We're gonna shuttle. There's I think six of us, and we're going to split two hotel rooms. Or, Motel rooms. Something like that. So it will be cheap. Under 20 bucks.

We'll go into town, and eat some real food. Take my first shower in six days! And charge all of my stuff, wash my clothes, all that good stuff. So that's pretty exciting. 

And then tomorrow, I'm gonna probably have breakfast in town, and then head back out. Hopefully pretty early. I'm gonna start picking up miles soon. I'm not sure how long I'll be staying with this group, but we'll see. I'll check in with you tonight, because I should have wifi!"

Eastern Garter Snake - at least that's my best guest. 

This was from PJ's hike a few days ago - Blood Mountain. It was a strenuous hike - with an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet in rocky, difficult terrain

Bloodroot - This is an early spring wildflower. It gets its name from the juice of the root.

From PJ - a Little Later in the Day:

"It's been all ridgewalking today.  Actcually, a lot of it has been pretty easy. This has been the easiest day hiking so far, and I'm almost done because I can hear cars in the distance. I'm going into Hiawasse. I'm way ahead of everyone else. So I'm probably just gonna go and sit down. Hopefully there's a little spot to hang out down there and just wait for people. Or if there's other people, I might be able to catch a ride into town early.

This is kind of what we're dealing with. Ridgewalking - all day. Downhills are the worst and the slowest. And I only have one hand right now, so I'm going really slow. [PJ was videotaping as he hiked] But like I said, this is actually easy compared to the last few days. Most of today was really flat. It wasn't rocky like it is now. It was all on the ridge, but it was nice, smooth...sailing. I don't know if you can pick up the cars. [I could in the video]. I can hear the cars and I know I'm almost there. 

We're coming down Blue Mountain. I was just at Blue Mountain shelter, and I had a little snack. Chilled out with some people. Met some people from Texas. There were some people from, well I guess they're not from Antarctica, but they lived on Antarctica for the last 2.5 years. Then they came out here on the Appalachian Trail, it's pretty cool. I met a lady from Switzerland.

Hopefully I have about half an hour left. [Until he gets into town]"

***
Many of these updates that I'm sharing are from videos that PJ sends to me. The videos are usually of the scenery and where he is. It is a helpful way for him to convey plenty of information without taking all of the time to text.

In the future, I'll probably include some of the videos, or at least footage from some, but for now, I'll just explain a little bit of what I saw and heard as he spoke.

In this video, PJ was walking along a ridge - as he explained earlier. It is a rocky, single-track ridge in the middle of a dense forest. The forest is still sparse and only starting to come back to life. The trail winds through the woods, and as he speaks to me, he is starting to make his descent into a nearby town.

When PJ paused for a moment, I could hear the cars that he talked about.

Hiking Town Decor

***
PJ did make it into Hiawasse. I spoke with him later the day.

Just to give you some context, Hiawasse is a small town about 8-10 miles away from the Appalachian trail. Many hikers will hike off the trail and go into this town to restock on needed supplies, shower, and get ready for another period of being in the woods.

Hiawasse and the Appalachian Trail Map

PJ and his group of hikers made it into town, found a budget motel, and then went to eat at a buffet. PJ said it was one of the best meals he's eaten in his whole life. $8.95, all you can eat. He wasn't sure that the meal was so good because of the quality of the food, or if it was because it was the first time he'd eaten "real food" in a while. Maybe it was a little bit of both.

PJ is also being very judicious. It can be a temptation to put in big miles at first - you have so much stoke and gusto for the hike. But most people, even if they are "in shape" aren't really in shape for the challenge of this hike. There is more to consider than walking. He is hiking up mountains, down mountains, with a heavy pack on his back. He is sleeping outside in the woods. The nights are very cold and the ground is very hard.

All of this adds up, and it is better to simply take your time at first. Soon enough, things will get warmer, there will be more ridge walking (with less elevation gain and loss). He will be in better shape and used to the rhythm of life on the trail. Then, he'll put in big miles. It is wise to start off slow.

PJ and friends - PJ is on the right side - second one in the back. (wearing a backwards baseball hat)

Data

I will post the data tomorrow - as I don't have an exact location of where he left the Appalachian trail.

April 5 - Keeping the Creepers Away

From PJ

It's PJ. It's April fifth. Nice scenery. I did Blood mountain yesterday. That was tough. Coming up and going down. But right after you come down, I went to Mountain Crossings, which is like a hostel, but they have a store with all sorts of stuff. Hiker stuff, food, and all that stuff. So, I got a new water filter. I bought a bunch of snacks cuz I'm finding out you've got to eat a lot of food out here. Eat more than...I kind of get sick of eating, but they say we're burning almost 6,000 calories a day. So, I gotta keep eating food.

But that place was cool. Someone actually, I went in line to get some snacks, and some guy bought them for me. The trail magic stuff which is pretty cool out here. A lot of people hook you up with free food and stuff if they know you're through- hiking.

But that was cool, so, we stopped at Mountain Crossing, and we kind of hung out there all day. And then just made camp about a mile and a half away. When I started today, I lost my buddy, "Lion Heart," her knee was hurting uh just for a couple days. She's gonna rest up and try to get back out.

There was some creepy guys at our camp last night who were creeping her out, so I stayed a little late at camp until they left. 

But that's about it. I've been hiking since about 9. Which is actually a late start for usual. We usually get up about 7. But, today's been really nice. It's been cold and hot. I'm sweating now, but I was freezing this morning. I've gone back and forth between my jacket on and off. But right now - sweating.

Really happy to see Villanova won. That was awesome. I had enough service where I watched the clip of the last 12 seconds, so that was really cool to see. I'm gonna keep moving. I'm headed to the Low Gap today. A little over 10 miles. Yeah, miles are still tough to come by. Once I get to a little further north, we'll be going more miles. Probably 20 miles a day.

Later!

Starting at Neel's Gap

Ending at Low Gap

Data:

Days Hiking: 5

Miles Hiked Today: 11.5

Elevation Gain: 1,533

Total Miles: 43.2

April 4 - Blood Mountain

From PJ:

It is April 4th, I wanna say. I think that's right. It's Monday. I just got out of camp. Last night the camp was SUPER crowded. There were probably 40 people there. We were the first people there, my little group, but it was packed, so I didn't get a good sleep at all. 

It's taking me forever tyo break out of camp in the morning, which is frustrating, but I think that it is something that takes about an hour. I don't know how to speed it up. 

I kind of let a lot of people go by me, so I started a little later so I could just walk by myself.

Everything has been going real good. No real injuries. I turned my ankle, but it seems to be fine. It doesn't bother me at all right now. That's good. I should be stopping into town today. Neel's Gap. Something like that. Get some stuff. Maybe try to call mom. Hopefully I can see some of the Villanova game.

Mountain Crossings

Here puppy...

PJ aka: Earnhardt and two hiking buddies

View from the mountain

I'm on the top of blood Mountain. April 4th. I'm kind of just hanging out right now. I was able to catch up to my buddies, so we'll probably go down this hill. It's gonna be tough. It probably took me four hours to get up this mountain. And that was moving pretty fast. I was passing people who left before me. And that downhill's gonna be tough, too. But I should be going into a town today. That will be exciting. It's really pretty. We're about 4,500 ft up.

Don't mess with Squatch

Data

From Lance Creek to Neel Gap

Days Hiking: 4

Miles Hiked Today: 7.4

Elevation Gain: 1, 594 ft

Total Miles hiked: 29.3