Huffhike

Day 15 (mile 275)

Last night, I camped a quarter mile from Max Peak where the views were phenomenal. I was originally planning on catching a sunset and sunrise on the mountain. Howver after I posted my previous blog, I streched a bit and then passed out until after sunrise. So a total miscue on my end.

After I got moving I found myself in a great hiking rhythm. Knowing I needed to cover 19 miles to Hot Springs North Carolina I just put in the earbuds and zoned out. There was only two up hills and the rest of the day was either zoomy flat sections or downhill. For the most part the day was just in the beautiful green tunnel (just a forest).

After a few hours of listening to U2 and hiking, I hit Hot Springs. Knowing I had various errands to run I stopped at the outdoor store as they closed first. I needed a new filter as I broke both set of the O rings for my Sawyer Squeeze. While in the store I also purchased a Cnock water blatter replacement as the one from the hiker box was not working well. I then ran into Oz from a few weeks ago. He ended up saying he was heading to Maryland as his buddy was hiking up there. But it was rad to catch up.

After the outfitters I ran over to the dollar general to get some food for this week. I purchased the following items (good sense of what Ol Jt is consuming)

-Oatmeal cream pies (3 a day)
-Apple sauce bars (1-2 a day)
-Store brand nature valley bar (1-2 a day)
-Store brand fig Newton bars (1-2 a day)
-2 tuna packets
-Box of Cheese its
-1 dinner (2 Ramen packets or 1 instant potatos)
-Jar of Peanut Butter
-1 bag of candy
-handful of mini jack link sticks
-2 packets of electrolytes

Then for a treat I bought kit Kat ice cream and a Dr Pepper. I then walked over to the spa as they offered campsites for $15 dollars a night. The sites also include free shower, and laundry. The laundry room also has a wall outlet. So I then called my Dad and then eventually washed my laundry and took a shower. While the laundry was going I went and stuck my right ankle into a stream (gods ice pack).

After my clothes were freshened up I went out to get some dinner. I ended up settling to go to Vinyl Pie Pizza. I got a hard cider with a pesto, sausage and pepperoni pizza. I learned two things, I cant hold liquor due to this hiking nonsense, as half of it made me slightly dizzy and light headed and secondly my hiker hunger is coming in, as after polishing off the whole pie I was still hungry.

After downloading a bunch of podcasts and music, I updated my miles for my works walk athon. After I called my mom and went to Dollar General to get some advil for my swolen ankle. Im now sitting in my tent just listening to owls and reflecting on the day / past 2 weeks.

One thing that I have found particularly interesting is that I have surpassed the furthest Ive been on trail in my lifetime. As the long trail sits at 273 miles and, Im at mile 275. What I find the most beautiful is that although I have gone so far, I still have so far to go, and Im so excited for the rest of the trail.