Day 46: Gaining Speed

Starting Point: Mountains Harbor Hostel (395.6)

Ending Point: Upper Laurel Fork (408.3)

Total miles: 12.7 trail miles.  .6 Double Bonus

Steps: 32,828

Injuries: Intercostal Strain

Achievements: *** 400 Miles ****, Jones Falls, Mountaineer Falls, Best Breakfast on the AT

Two JP's celebrate 400 on the AT.

The Mountain Harbor Hostel has what it calls the best breakfast on the AT.  I have to agree with that.  Tomato Pie, French Toast, fresh biscuits and sausage gravy, herb breakfast potatoes, and more!

Taking in about 2000 calories before I even started hiking was wonderful!

The first phase of the day was an 800 foot steep climb.  Due to all the rain, the mud was like toothpaste.  I was full of energy and charged up the hill.  My last couple of big climbs have been very strong.  My hiker legs are coming!

I was unstoppable.  I charged up the hill.  My head was down.  My glasses were fogged.  I was going to get to the top, even if the trail unexpectedly turned right without me noticing.  I reached the top and I couldn't figure out where the trail went.

Horrified, I pulled out my phone and opened FarOut.  I was off trail, by a lot.  I turned around and did the thru-hiker's walk of shame back to the trail.

This created a new problem for me.  I was in the lead.  Was I still?  Everyone else was dragging with full bellies.

The goal was to group up at a road at mile 399.2.  That way we could take a group picture at mile 400.

When I got to that point, no one was there, so I assumed I was still in the lead.  I waited.  A hiker by the name of JP (Greybeard) came up next.  I asked if he passed my crew.  He said no.  So, I guess it took longer than I thought to backtrack.

So, JP and I walked to the 400 mile marker and we shared a selfie.

The next view was Jones Falls.  For this one, JP and Ketchup joined me.

Needless to say, my crew doesn't follow simple instructions.  Talk to the hand Sweeper, Kea, and Captain Blogger.  I'll make new friends on trail.

Just kidding.

I eventually reached up with them at the shelter.  I got a hug. I would have preferred a group selfie, but whatever.

Despite a late start, we reached our destination by 3 p.m.  It is a beautiful campsite next to a flowing river.

I needed to repair my pack.  A strut wore through.  I have some strong nylon thread.  It is the first repair I ever had to make.  She's an old pack with just a few thousand miles on her.  After the AT, I'll retire her.

Over dinner we discussed some interesting options.  We have a chance to Aqua Blaze.  We can kayak 10 miles which will be 21 trail miles.  I'm in favor of a change of pace.  We'll see how it goes.

My back was not an issue today, but the trail was soft.  I believe it is healing and not getting worse.