MST

https://photos.app.goo.gl/i50U6XJwA12nSWrP2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zTx6LkT5Z5HgBtEB2

Zack and I had a tremendous time together this weekend. I am so glad he came up and kept me company for a full four day weekend. For those that don't know, Zack and I are long distance most of the time so anytime we are together is truly cherished. The fact that we were able to see each other two weekends in a row hasnt happened before (except when I was home for a month last December). So this was pretty cool and to see each other four days in a row on top of that was even cooler.  Saturday, as stated in the previous blog, we hiked 13 miles to a campsite. I slept in the tent, he stayed out in the hammock where it was cooler. This is the place I must have squatted in the wrong spot because the next morning I woke up with over 50 bites on my back side.  The next morning, Sunday, we hiked 10 miles out to falls lake dam. At this time, the goal was to shower, go get food, then take care of business (shuttle my bike, resupply, go shopping, etc) so that on Monday we could just relax! 

This week has brought on a whole new slew of issues. Here I am, out of the mountains, thinking everything is going to be so easy. Wrong!  Just outside of hanging rock state park, I began my bicycling journey on the MST. This is something that wasnt originally planned, but happened to workout with the timing of Zack coming down. The thing is, I've never bicycled with weight and my bike is not set up as a touring bike. So, I hopped on the bike with my pack and was ready to go. Again, wrong! Where I started cycling was a tad bit hilly. Just a few pedals in, I was huffing and puffing and my legs felt like they couldn't push me or my bike any further. I had been less than 100 yards before I was feet on the tar, hands on the bars, walking my bike up this hill I'd never seen before.  I had walked over 500 miles, I am strong! I thought. I have lost 17 lbs, I am lighter I assumed. Biking was suppose to be easy! Instead, it made me feel weak and out of shape! At that moment, I co

https://goo.gl/photos/YQYibt9EsW5yAMAC8

https://goo.gl/photos/u6mKoMCVV1KnL3xH7

Week 3 Phew! So much has happened in the last week! I have finished Segment 5, taking me out of the mountains and into the Piedmont, and I have also finished Segments 6 and 7.  Let me give you a glimpse of what these segments entail then I will go into detail of my week, a week, that is starting to blur together with the previous weeks! I am so glad that for this journey I have kept up with a nightly journal to recap what each day has brought out here and look forward to sharing it with you all.  So, Segment 5, according to the guidebook: it is 90.3 miles (8.3 of those are on the road) with easy to moderate terrain with only a few strenuous sections. Cool things to look forward to include: the Linn Cove viaduct, a 1243 foot concrete engineering marvel that carries the BRP around the base of Grandfather mountain; views of Grandfather mountain, Table Rock, Hawksbill, and Pisgah National Forest; Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, where the MST uses the park's former carriage trails a

https://goo.gl/photos/QfVKdh5FVqepnJM28

https://goo.gl/photos/RHFxME5eWjaD8h31A

Last week when I arrived to Asheville, I went directly to a Dickey's barbeque. Before walking in, however, I took off my soaking wet socks and shoes, slipped on my Crocs, and basically wobbled indoors. I sat inside for a few hours, mostly sipping on glasses and glasses of lemonade, but also messaging family from back home, and eating a few of the sides that were on my plate.  My hope was to get in touch with the trail angles I met back when I was lost in the Middle Prong Wilderness; they offered me a place in their home upon my arrival to the city. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a response, so I Expedia-d a hotel, picked up some groceries from the Walmart next door, then had an Uber drop me off at my place of residence for the evening.  As I walked in the hotel, heels blistered to the Bone (at least that's how it felt), with a pack full of wet supplies and gear, two grocery bags in my hand, and a take home cup of lemonade, I told the lady at the front desk, autumn, tha

Week one seems like a pretty boring title relative to everything I have experienced this week. I mean why name it "Week 1" when it could be called, "my first solo encounter with a bear" or "that time I was charged by a turkey" or what about "that time I got lost while hiking on the MST" or "lets trade feet", all of these would be great titles, but I just couldn't choose, so here we are with Week 1. Before I go into detail of the "hypothetical/could be titles" (all of which are true), let me give you the stats of my hike. Currently, I am on Day 10 (taking a zero day in Asheville). I am averaging 17 mile days (that is with minimal hiking for 24 hours, due to being 'misplaced'. My shortest day has been 16.9 miles and my longest day has been 23 miles. I have completed Segments 1 and 2. Let me tell you a bit about both. Segment 1 is 68.9 miles of challenging terrain with well maintained, marked, and switchbacked trail

As a previous thru-hiker, one would think I would have mastered the art of backpacking light. That is false. It has been a few years and over these years I have slipped back into the comforts of modern life. Although, I have all of the gear necessary for a thru-hike, I have changed up some of my gear for this hike and have added some unneccessary, comfort items as well. Here’s what I am packing: Items marked with a * were also used on the AT Pack: Gregory Deva 70L* The Big 3: Nemo Hornet 2P Nemo Sleeping Pad* EMS 35 degree bag* EMS Drool Pillow Clothing: (in pack) 2 pair of Darn Tough socks Smartwool mid-baselayer pant Columbia long sleeve SPF lightweight top Columbia puffy* Columbia rainjacket* Crocks Bug Net* Electronics: Battery Pack Charger Cable Headphones 2 UBS Ports Delorme InReach Toiletry / First Aid items:  Go girl/Diva Cup*  Toilet Paper*  Athletic Tape* Cortizone Cream* Glasses/Contact Solution* Toothbrush/Toothepaste* Chapstick/Finger nail clippers Ad