Huffhike

Day 76 (Mile 1261.4)

The day after my greatest accomplishment (eating a half gallon of ice cream). My brother and Dad came down to Pine Grove to visit and do a gear trade off. Specifically, I traded my 30 degree bag for a 50 degree sleeping bag. I also snagged my kindle and transformed my rain pants to rain shorts. After meeting them, I decided to take a zero day. It was definitely the better decision as it allowed me to catch up on calories.

The next day, started the hardest week of hiking Ive done in my life. The first challenge came on the first day where there was a no hiking area. The challenging aspect of it was that the distance before the no camp zone was 20 miles meaning Id either have to hike 20 miles or 34. However, the temperatures were good and the terrain was immaculate, so after talking to a trail maintainer I decided to opt for the 34 mile day.

I ended up arriving to camp close to the end of the day where I ate a bagel and a mountain house meal I bought the day before. Knowing I was 10 miles away from Boiling Springs, I decided I was going to sleep in a bit. Due to the heat wave, I ended up waking up at 6am and made it to town at 11am where I drank a slushy and got a pizza.

After grabbing my resupply box, I debated possibly pushing some miles, but as I was leaving I ran into two thru hikers I knew whl were at the bar watching the world cup, so I decided to join them. After talking with them for a bit they mentioned there was a local church hostel. After hearing about the benefits (namely the air conditioning) I decided to stay there.

The next morning started the hardest days of hiking of mile. Over the next 4 days and 97 miles I battled extreme heat, days that went between 82 for a low and 109 for a high, with high humidity. In an attempt to beat the heat, I broke my hiking into two portions of the day. Id wake up at 4am and hike from 9am to 10am and I would then find somewhere cool, namely a shelter to wait out the heat of the day. After napping or reading (specifically River of Doubt) I would pack up at 5pm and then start hiking again until I hit my destination for the day. Even with hiking during the “cooler” parts of the day I would find my pace slowing to 2 miles an hour or dripping with sweat on flatter portions of trail.

On any incline, I found myself having to stop and catch my breath even if the climb was “easy”. Even with those difficulties I was able to pump out miles, during the 4 days, I hiked a 29, 34, 26, and a 8 mile day (going into the hostel).

On top of battling the heat, finding reliable water sources were incredibly hard due to the on going drought. Thankfully, on most road crossings the trail angels would leave a cache of water that allowed myself and other hikers to avoid dehydration. The closest call I had was on the 34 mile day. Orginally, I wanted to hike 29 miles that day. However, the water crossing where I was planning on camping near was bome dry, meaning I would have to hike 5 more miles in the dark to my next water source. Knowing I had 1/2 a liter of water I decided I wouldnt drink until I hit a reliable source.

While walking to the shelter I ran into a road which was half a mile from the shelter. Knowing it was 11:30 at night, I wanted to just hit camp and more specifically water. However, once I hit the road there was 5 gallons of water waiting for me! I was extremely excited and started to drink as much water as I could. As I drank the water, I debated wether or not I should fill my water bottles or rely on the shelters water source. Knowing how dry it was I decided to just fill my bottles. That was the smartest decision I made as the water source was bone dry at the shelter.

As I reached the shelter, I found myself extremely greatful for the trail angels. I can say for certain if that trail angel had not left the water cache there may have been a much worse off story. But becuase of random strangers acts of kindness I was able to have water and not have to continue to push miles in 109 degree heat. I think that is the part of the trail that I love the most, people helping people for no reward or loud thank you. Instead they are helping because they genuinely want to help.

As I write this today on July 4th, I am 14 miles ahead of the hostel Im staying at, due to a slack pack today. I ended up staying two nights to avoid another 109 and 95 degree day. On top of that there is a rumor of an Amish trail magic taking place at the hostel tonight.

Looking ahead it appears that the heat may begin to pass which is incredibly good to hear. However, the reason the heat is going to dissipate is because of a rain storm over the next 3 days, which of course will have its own set of challenges.