BMT/AT Figure 8 Day 35: On the Home Stretch, Now
Day 35, Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Fontana Dam to Stealth Site at AT SOBO Mile 2038.5
Mile 384.5
Miles Hiked: 9.8
I may be on the home stretch, but that doesn’t mean it’s all downhill. Today started with a brisk climb, but I don’t count elevation gains any more because I might convince myself that this is hard.
It IS hard.
But not as hard as it was in the beginning. I’m getting my trail legs, now. Getting to be comfortable with churning uphill without even lamenting the fact that my food bag is full, my pack barely closes around all my winter gear and I’m schelpping enough water uphill to get me through the night in a dry stealth site.
It just feels good to move. Every day.
It feels good to feel good and to feel strong. (Why I love hiking, part 48).
NEW PROJECT
I love a good stealth site and I found one tonight. It’s high enough up on an unnamed knob to catch the last rays of evening sun and to get the first of the morning rays, too.
Also, cell service!
So my new goal, my new project for the rest of my time on the trail, is to camp in a stealth site every night (and avoid the section hiker hammock dudes as much as possible).
This morning, we found a stick insect. OMG…be still my insect-loving heart.
