Back on the trail

Leaving Hot Springs was hard in so many ways. We had a great time and the climb out of town was much like the others... very difficult.

Day 35     4/26/17

• Miles hiked: 10.7
  
• Shelter: tent near Spring Mountain shelter mile 284.4
  
• High Point: the SUN and breakfast
  
• Low Point: the heat and heavy pack

We were so sad to leave Hot Springs this morning but the weather is NICE so it's not that hard.

Russ got some fancy new shoes in town after blowing out his previous pair so now he's ready to hit the trail. 

We had another nice breakfast to get us started. 

We hiked over the French Broad River and up into the mountains. 

Bye Hot Springs 👋🏼

Soon after starting up the mountain we came across a beautiful pond. Russ was itching to fish. 

We hit some beautiful open fields. 

It was a beautiful day. 

Day 36  4/27/17

• Miles hiked: 16
  
• Shelter: tent at Jerrys Cabin Shelter
  
• High point: cool section of trail, called firescald knob at mile 297
  
• Low Point: raining taking down the tent and rain putting up the tent

Yesterday was sunny but today started in rain. I don't know if I would rather be hot, sweaty and humid or wet, cold and slippery. It's a lot like trying to decide whether you prefer to hike uphill or downhill. Uphill hurts your back and the downhill hurts your knees. Indecision like this is rampant on the trail. Like whether or not to take the rain gear off or leave it on. We usually let the weather decide for us.

We hiked in the wind this morning with gray skies and nothing much to see. This afternoon we reached a very cool part of the trail, around mile 297. The trail gave us two options. The weather was just foggy and cool so we decided to take the dangerous route. 😏

It was fun but a little disappointing because there would have been some great views. The hike was challenging and a little technical. I would like to come back and do it again. Apparently a guy named Howard McDonald helped build and design this part of the trail. There was a memorial to him on a rock described as Howards Rock and we appreciated the rock and trail.

Not much to see here but the blazes took us over the ridges on bolders. 

Passed 300 miles today. 😎