Morehead Shelter to Hampton TN

I left the shelter around 8:30 am and stayed with the others till about 11 then shot ahead and cruised past beautiful Laurel Falls and the easy hike into Hampton . Rain was expected but never fell, and I slipped into town around 3pm. I went to McDonalds to get lunch with "Utah" and chatted with Tom Tom and Egret on the street, who were staying at Kincora Hostel with Bob Peoples, who I later talked to about our common roots, as Bob is from Medford,  MA. I ended up getting a private room for $25 at Braemar Castle Hostel in Hampton. I saw Hawksbill, an old friend in town, and settled in at the hostel with Smurphin, Yeti, Space Cadet, and Lost and Found. 

I was tired and went to bed early, but didn't fall asleep till after midnight . I did have Frosted Flakes for Dinner tho ! my favorite. 

mountain harbor Hostel to Morehead shelter

all the hikers had a gourmet feast for breakfast, in the main house. I left at 8:30 and got back on the trail . I took off pretty quick and made. 9 miles before noon and enjoyed lunch by a waterfall with other thru hikers. the trail was fairly easy although it was super humid today and sweat was pouring off me. at about 4pm thunder, lightning and heavy downpour began , so I decided to set up my tent . everything got soaked. I laid shivering in my tent till 5:15, then decided to move on to the shelter, I trudged along to the shelter and camped there with yeti and smurphin. I slept poorly and shivered cold a lot . still hiked 18 miles though . 

Hughes Gap to Mountain Harbor Hostel

I woke at 6 and quickly had my pop tart. it was 7:15 before I headed out just before the ladies. I encountered deer at the trailhead before ascending 6,200 foot climb of Roan Mtn. I had no trouble and was up in about 2 hours. on the descent I took a wrong turn and ended having to climb back up a mile to get back on the trail. work bothered my phone all day. I got to learn to let go, and know that God will provide. I said a prayer, and tried to move past it. once In CarverGap, the trail ascended to a series of beautiful Bald peaks. this was pretty, but the route was dry. water was scarce , aside from the two waters I yogi'd from day hikers. I saw one thru hiker all day. the climb of Little Hump was brutal. it was pretty much like being stabbed in the face for a hour. Big Hump mtn was not much easier . I was sad not to see the girls today, I have grown fond of them. I hustled into Mountain Harbor Hostel by 6:40 pm and low and behold the colonel came out to great me! it was so nice to see them! they had skipped this section, and saw I was exhausted. they were so nice Lena bought me a Mountain Dew. I ate a awesome chicken dinner, this place is crazy nice. vagabond helped me get settled and I hung with the hikers till 11 or so. some of the hikers here: Iron Chef (awesome guy!) Rocky , sparky, Bobcat, Moses, slayer, aloha, Lena, Colonel, 

Deep Gap to Hughes Gap

tough hike. I followed Lena and the Colonel out of the camp and we hiked together all day. they are a sweet mother and daughter, and I believe they are Christians. it was all PUDS today. it was exhausting and although I wanted to do 20 plus miles today, it simply never happened. Unaka Mtn.was pretty much like New England, with conifers along its ridge . I came across a trail race called Extreme Hike, that raises money for CF. I yogi'd three bananas and a powerade out of them. I later yogi'd bread , cheese, apple, a power bar , and water out of a couple hiking around Roan mtn, in Hughes Gap. I had some good laughs with Lena and the Colonel, as we three camped near the road . 

Erwin to Deep Gap

I slept reasonably in the hostel bunk room at Johnny's In Erwin. I slept across from "Slow Poke" who is a non stop talker, a bit crazy, and whistles through his teeth when he talks like the gopher in Winnie the Pooh films. the rain was constant all morning, and I hung around all morning waiting for the clearing that never came. I took off at noon and hiked up 12 miles to Deep Gap. the rain stopped and started a half dozen times. I camped at deep gap In cold 50 mph winds at the base of Unaka mountain . the wind was so bad I couldn't light my stove. I ate pop tarts for 4 straight meals around this time. 

Sams Gap to Erwin

25 mile day! I hiked good, my knee hurt the whole time. big views on big bald mountain, Lotus passed me at lunch, I hadn't seen her in a long time. I burned my hand and leg with my stove badly at that time. I figured it was best to hike into town in case it got ugly. Lost Boy and I hiked all the way to Town. happy I did . 

zero day Erwin Tn

I hung out all day . rested, watched movies and ate. iced my knee.