Day 28

Storm Damage From Helene

Starting mile 317.6

This morning, I got up early with the idea of knocking out a 20-mile day. This will set me up for a six-mile day into Erwin Tennessee. 

The morning started with a little uphill before heading down to Sam’s Gap. I did most of these miles with “Shaggy” whom I’ve been hiking around for a couple of days, he was taking it easy for a couple of days. When we got down to the Gap, we ran into some Trail Magic just setting up. I got some OJ and a warm bagel for breakfast. It was a great surprise. We don’t get much Trail Magic during the week; it usually happens on the weekends.

After this great Trail Magic we started up our big climb of the day. It was about 3,000 feet of elevation gain over the next seven miles to the top of Big Bald. I’m happy to be at the point where this climb wasn’t too bad. I don’t think I have my trail legs yet but I’m close. When I was looking up at Big Bald before the last of the climb I looked up and saw a figure walking along the top, it was “Shaggy”. I finally made it to the top with “Sinatra”, who I met the other day, and a day hiker. It was gorgeous with the 360-degree views.

After taking pictures and relaxing for a few minutes “Sinatra” and I headed down. We were going to have lunch at the next shelter a little over a mile away. When we got to the shelter, we were surprised to see “Shaggy” still there eating. We had done 10.2 miles by 11:30. 

After lunch we still had another ten miles and 1,700 feet of elevation gain before our next shelter. It started with a long five mile downhill that we were able to cruise down. Then it was a five mile climb up to the top of No Business Knob. I made it to the top by 5 pm. I was very tired and looking forward to getting to bed.

Tomorrow should be a nice easy six-mile day into Erwin with a night at Uncle Johnny’s Hostel. I ended up doing 20.7 miles and about 4,900 feet of elevation gain. Another personal best.

Ending mile 338.3