Day 17

Today was a good day! I walked a total of 12.31 miles. (Note I count my full miles walked which is official AT miles as well as extra distances during the day to water sources, side trails to views, etc.) The first 8 miles were incredible! I was doing roughly 26 minutes per mile because the trail was, for the most part, very gradual inclines and declines. There were only a few short sections that were steep with roots and rocks. That all changed when I reached Albert Mountain. I was itching to get over it but it was the hardest climb I’ve done yet. At one point, I had to toss my trekking poles up above me so I could use two hands to shimmy up boulders with my 31 lb pack always present on my back. (I hear this is what I can expect when I reach The Whites in New Hampshire.) At the top, I was rewarded with one of the most sprawling mountain views I’ve had yet as well as a fire tower that has the famous marking that says “AT 100 M.” I’ve seen that in so many hiking videos, it’s amazing to take a picture next to it myself. I did it! I walked 100 miles on the AT. Actually, I’m at 102.2 at my current campsite. Okay, I’m all bundled up ready to wake up cold. Weather report says it could be 19 degrees (feeling like 5 degrees) around 9am and I may be walking in snow flurries. My goal is to get to Winding Stair Gap (7.3 miles) and get a shuttle into town. Worst case, I can bail out early at Rock Gap (3.7 miles) and find a ride. I have a reservation at a hotel for the next 2 days to let the cold front and winter snowstorm to pass. It’s going to be a dingy hotel but it’s cheap and right downtown in the midst of everything I can walk to. Fingers crossed my gear setup keeps me warm enough. I have no service here so no idea when this will post but by the time you see this, I should hopefully be out of the cold.