Huffhike

Day 7 (mile 125.4)
After arriving at the hostel the night before they asked me if I would like to be dropped off where I was picked up or at Winding Stair Gap (10 miles ahead). They kindly mentioned that because where I was picked up was out of the way, to be dropped back off there would come with another $70 charge. So I opted to be dropped off at Winding Staor Gap and slid the 10 miles. They then told me they could shuttle me as early as 7:30am so me and Cry Baby hopped on the shuttle for 7:30 and were back on the trail at 8am.

Naturally, we spent the first hour or so just conversing over the food we got at our resupply his big win being the oatmeal cream pies, which were on sale. While my big win was the belveta breakfast bars which had the same amount of calories as a snickers bar in half the size.

After walking for a bit we ran into a couple from Flamoth, and hiked with them a bit. Cry Baby was then ready to crush some miles so he took off. I kept hiking with the couple and found out that they were doing the AT and logging the mushrooms and wildlife they found along for their blog / Instagram (Mushroom Monday). I ended up hiking with them for a while, of course asking them the name of every plant I saw. After a bit it started to drizzle so I threw on the rain jacket and took off till the next shelter. In a way the rain was an extremely rewarding as it cooled the temperatures a bit and it also reminded me of new england. I eventually made it to camp where I made some dinner and eventually doze off to the sound of rain drops

Day 8 (Mile 144):

Prior to falling asleep the night before, I noticed that 11 miles away from the Nanthan Outdoor Center. Knowing that it was my resupply, I looked at the map and noticed there was a shelter 7 miles after. So I started out, it was a gorgeous day, and the hike was great going into the NOC. Downhill and extremely enjoyable. I caught a gorgeous sunrise at one of the balds, and another great view on top of one of the fire towers.

After a good hike, I hit the NOC and found the outdoor Center where my box was located. The employee gave me my box and pointed me in the direction of there hiker section, where it was stocked with wall outlets, and camp chairs. So I set up camp there and started to fill my food bag. After I filled my bag, I walked over to the General Store where I grabbed a pint of ice cream (birthday cake) and a Dr. Pip to avoid going to the restaurant. After eating, I grabbed my phone and went to fill my dirty water bag, when I noticed a leak. I then headed back to the outdoor center to buy a new bag. After browsing a bit I noticed the cheapest bag was 70 bucks (regularly like 30). So I said fuck that and bought a smart bottle to use as my dirty water source. I then quickly grabbed my bag and ran out to avoid spending more money.

The climb like most climbs out of a gap was brutal, straight up hill. After a grueling 6 miles I made it to camp and ate my special resupply dinner, Mac and Cheese. While talking at camp someone mentioned that the Fontana Damn Shelter had power and showers. So I did some quick calculations and realized it was a 22 mile hike. With a storm coming on tuesday, I figured I could make that push Monday and do a light day the following day.

Day 9 (Mile 166)

I ended up setting my tent up on a hill the night before, so after a few hours sliding around I got up at 6am and headed off to Fontanna Damn. It was a pretty uneventful day hiking, it was an extremely hot 80 degrees all day will an enormous amount of PUDS (pointless ups and downs). But I was able to get in a call with my dad and listen to alot of Alan Watts and Pearl Jam.

While hiking and thinking, I was thinking about a conversation I had earlier this week with a day hiker. She asked me why I was hiking the AT this year. I laid out the reasons like I had in the past to her, like I have done a few times with other hikers or here. In the Spring of 2025 I had some external and internal stressors that lead me to have a panic attack and that mixed with training for an Ultramarathon led me to have a shingles outbreak which made re assessed where I was at in life, and ultimately led to me doing the trail now.

Maybe it was from me listening to far too much Alan Watts, but I started to really think about how every hiker asks another that same question. Almost as if we want point to some event to justify the hike, but at the end of the day, everyone who is out here genuinely wants to be out here which is extremely cool and something I don’t know if Ill experience again.

Anyways, after the 22 miles in the heat and the trail, I hit the Mariana (a mile from camp). I then ran into another hiker who advised me to take the shuttle into town to hit up the general store. A bit hesitant I agreeded, one I got there I met a hiker Ax who was looking to do laundry so we split the charge and he also game me half of his muffin he didnt want.

I then took the shuttle back where they have a shower and power outlets in the bathroom (where Im writing this now). Not to be that guy but this is on par with a night at the Roxbury for me! Tomorrow, Ill take a short day due to the storm and be in the Smokey Mountians.