Huffhike

Day 40 (Mile 625.8)
Its been a few days since my last blog entry. I would like to say it was because I havent had time. But I suppose when all you do all day is walk, eat, and sleep its hard to use that as an excuse. Either way, I figured I would spend this zero day catching up to this point.
Over the past few days, Ive done two resupplies (both coming from boxes) and Ive had 3 days in hostels or a motel room. The most recent stay was yesterday and today I took a zero day today to dry off my gear and to allow my feet to dry out from the past 4 days of rain storms.
Through the rain storms Ive stayed motivated by enjoying the cows and the pastures in between of the green tunnel. On top of that Ive found motivation by focusing on the little milestones and small victories. Over the past couple of days, I surpassed the 600 mile mark and the 1/4 way point. Ive also taken opportunity of each little detours for warm food. Three days ago it came in the form of grilled cheese, corn dog, and French fries. The following day I bought a chicken bacon ranch pizza at a gas station.
After eating half of the pizza I packed out the remaining pizza, and a tall bud light. After 10 quick miles I made my way to the Wapiti Shelter. For those unaware, in 1981 the shelter was the location of a double murder. Contrary to the several Farout comments I did not see any ghouls. I can confirm there was a presence of mice, as they ate an entire log book. Knowing that information I hesitantly set up my tent in the rain.
My greatest motivator, and I suppose my appreciation the last 4 days came in the form of trail angels. Sometimes thru-hiking can feel like a solo adventure, where you are hiking your own hike, and everyone else is hiking there own hike. But at the end of the day that is the furthest thing from true.
After leaving Akins VA, I had a full portable battery and a full phone battery. But after 12 miles of hiking, I noticed I had accidentally turned on my headlamp. Effectively killing the battery of the headlamp. Naturally, I plugged it into my portable charger. But the battery didnt produce any power. It then hit me that battery pack had died. I quickly started to look on Farout when I noticed there was a hostel within half a mile.
I quickly walked to the hostel where I asked the owner if he could shuttle me to Walmart (36 minutes away, the closest place to buy a charging bank) and I would pay him. He told me “no” and said I could charge my phone there if I needed to. After looking through google maps I realized that the Walmart would be the best option, as the closest town outside of backtracking was 80 miles away.
While doing my research, a fellow thru-hiker who was at the hostel was trying to get it to work. After futzing with it she confirmed it was fried fried and asked what I was planning on doing. I told her my plan was to back track 10 miles and hitch to Walmart. After hearing that she told me that there was no way she was going to let me go back and gave me her power bank free of charge.
I think that is the beauty of thru-hiking. I think that sometimes in our lives both on and off the trail, you get caught up in our own lives and our own journey. In doing so we inadvertently choose ourselves over others, and accidentally miss opportunities to help others.

While thru-hiking I think you are more apt to help others because you see the humanity in everyone you meet.

Everyday, I walk a trail that is maintained by volunteers who remove blow downs, re-route the trail, clean and empty privys. Then we hit towns where town people offer free rides or free food to stinky hikers. They dont do it because they get paid, they instead do it because they care about hikers and want to return the favor that was given to them or someone they know.

That appreciation for others and willingness to help everyone and appreciate “trail magic” of everyday life is something I hope to carry back home in September.

Moving foward, I hope to go back to a daily check-ins.

Happy Trails 🤟