4/6/21 Late start as usual around 11:30 AM. Hiking seemed harder it was hot lots of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) Met a woman from NYC who is doing a blog, her name is Schlep. Never saw her again. Met several nice dogs thru hiking. One beautiful huskey mix and another 1 yo Golden all well behaved and Piper was playing with them. Hiked slower today I’m not sure why but people were passing me. Meet trail angels with a white Shepard so all 4 dogs were playing. Got some lemonade and clementines.Climbed Max Patch which was beautiful and lots of thru hikers and day hikers were up there, Lots camping out or waiting for sunset. I read it was Mack’s Patch cleared for cattle grazing at 4,629 feet changed to Max Patch and grass is cut and maintained as a bald. Lots of wild flowers overall nice. Passed Roaring Fork Shelter only 2 hikers staying there. Behind schedule so it was 7:00 PM behind schedule so pressed on for 3.3 miles. Lots of tents set up and people sleeping. Went a little farther to the road and set up tent on closed off roadway. Try and get up earlier to put in more miles. Currently at mile 260.5 and pass thru Hot Springs, NC at mile 274,9 and hopefully hike to Spring Mountain Shelter a 25.4 mile day. That maybe pushing it. Will see.