Destination: Spring Mountain Shelter
Today's miles: 11.0
Total miles: 285.9
You might think it was tough to leave our warm bed, hot showers and plentiful food this morning, but I was ready to go. I feel very driven right now to make forward progress and put in big miles. Magge is probably a little less so.
We got on the trail around 10:30am and leisurely walked along the French Broad River for a while before the trail got steep led us up 1,000 ft above the town. We knew we didn't have to get too far today, though, so we were able to take it relatively easy. The terrain the rest of the day wasn't too bad but Magge struggled a bit. I'm hoping it's just a matter of getting back into the groove after a zero day, because we have to make 13-15 miles a day over the next four days, three of which will be in the rain.
We pulled into the shelter around 4:30pm and set up our tent a few hundred feet away. There's been a strain of Norwalk virus running around this section of the trail, so we want to avoid areas where there have been concentrations of sick hikers. We actually haven't tented in a while since the Smokies discourages it. While it's nice to be in a shelter when the weather is really bad, I like having our own space.
The only other thing to report today is an injury: Magge clumsily cut her finger while slicing salami. She's in stable condition and on knife probation.
That stretch over the French Broad is the only part of the AT we've done, it is gorgeous. I am so sorry about the cut. Rest well, stay healthy. Love you both
ReplyDeleteI hope it doesn't rain too much so you can maintain your energetic pace and not have to overcompensate later on. Wishing you lots of ☀! ♥
ReplyDeleteYou too be careful handling a sharp knife. ;)
Magge gets the knife bit from Marcia. They both live on the cutting edge. Get the point, don't let it stick you.
ReplyDeleteLove