As some of you know I have left the Appalachian Trail at Duncannon, Pa., after having some trouble with my knees and having to get back to work anyway. I had a few pictures left on my digital camera and I felt I should share them, as well as what I plan to do on the Trail next.
It’s been much too long since I posted a Trail update, so I’ll keep this kind of short even though it covers quite a few days and over 92.8 miles.
I’ve made some 28 miles in two days over some very rocky ground and had to take today off to rest my aching legs. I might have made it even farther, but I kept stopping to rest and to take in some rather unique scenery.
As you might have guessed, I’m off the Trail for a while, for one of two events I’ll be attending this summer. These are important enough to leave the hike behind for a while and so now I’m going to share with you where I am and why.
I made it to Erwin, 340 miles up the Appalachian Trail, yesterday afternoon, and promptly ate all the food I could get my hands on.
Almost every Appalachian Trail thru-hiker hates Gatlinburg, and with good reason. It’s an annoying tourist trap full of idiots and the price of everything is jacked up to mountainous prices. But it’s quite possible to rest and resupply in Gatlinburg with some foreknowledge, as I learned.
I’ve racked up another 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail and arrived safely in Hot Springs, a very small town which rolls up the sidewalks around 6. Good thing I got here at 3:30.
I arrived in one slightly mangled piece at Fontana Dam, N.C., on Tuesday evening, almost three days ago, and have been resting ever since.
The last week was a very slow one, with a foot injury, gear problems and just plain stupidity slowing me down.