Day 34: When a Nero is More Like a Zero

Starting Point: Deer Park Mount Shelter (272.1)

Ending Point: Hot Springs (274.9)

Total miles: 2.8 trail miles.  5.0 bonus miles

Steps: 18,450

Injuries: None

Achievements: Hot Springs Hot Tub

With our big push yesterday, we had slightly less than three miles before town.  The Laughing Heart Hostel at the entrance into town.

Captain Blogger signed us up for a 2 p.m. appointment at the famed Hot Springs.  We did the usual fare -- laundry and showers, while we waited.  There is a scale and I weighed myself for the first time.  I'm down 22 pounds.  That is close to my target of 20 pounds in 30 days.  I do not need to increase my calories yet.

The hot springs honestly were not all that hot, but it was relaxing.  The eclipse was non existent here.

After that was done, I resupplied at the outfitter and Dollar General.  I've never been to a DG before, and I'll only return of I'm in hiker trash mode.

Blaze, Captain Blogger, and I went to the diner for dinner.  Blaze told me on the way that he still hurts too much and will likely pull off trail again tomorrow.  It will be sad to see him go, but he needs surgery to fix this once and for all.

This is the longest section.  I need five days of food and need to do 12 miles a day or more.  That will be followed by one more harder section.  Once that is done, it should ease up a bit and I'll be able to hike farther per day.