Day 31

Origin: Big Bald Shelter
Destination: River Rd, Erwin, TN
Today's miles: 16.4
Total miles: 342.5

The rain stopped last night but our clothes were still soaking wet when we woke up so we decided to hike in our sleeping clothes since we knew we'd be able to wash them. We didn't see any hikers on the trail this morning so we didn't have to feel too awkward in our long-johns.

Magge twisted her knee in another fall yesterday and had a difficult time with ascents and descents. We made poor time over the first five miles of the day and knew that we'd pull into Erwin late if we continued. Magge was concerned whether she would be able to make it at all. She therefore decided to try to hitch a ride to town from Spivey Gap along US route 19. I arrived at the road about 10 minutes before she did and didn't see a single car. I thought about calling a shuttle but I didn't have cell service. When Magge arrived, I told her I thought it'd be tough to get a ride due to the lack of traffic but we waited 20 minutes; we saw one motorcycle and it was heading the wrong way. We decided that Magge would walk to a parking lot in the direction of town while I hightailed it to Erwin and we'd see who'd succeed first in finding her a ride.

I covered the last 11 miles in three hours and arrived exhausted to not find Magge at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel, where we're staying. While trying to figure out a way to get her picked up, she pulled in with a heavily-bearded elderly man. She had spotted a house while walking and had asked to use the phone to call a shuttle. While waiting, the owner of the house brought her a Coke and offered her food. After waiting nearly two hours for a shuttle that didn't come, the owner offered to drive her into town. Trail magic.

We had an early, big Mexican dinner and are about to fall asleep. We'll be back on the trail tomorrow but will have to test Magge's knee out.

Picture below is from my hike from Spivey Gap to Erwin.