100 Miles!

Updates from the Mountains

Episode #4: Snuggling Up with my Water Filter Every Night

NEW SHOES! NEW STATE! 100 MILES! LONGER DAYS!

Here I am in Franklin, NC, very full off of calorically dense snacks, beer, and hummus. In my few hours of steady service, I’ll share my adventures from the last few days:

On my zero day at Hostel Around the Bend, I ended up getting new shoes because mine were too small (hence the hotspots). The new ones have been good so far. Honestly, this is the most thought and energy I’ve put into footwear probably ever. While the shoe re-fitting was happening, I was scared into walking at a slower pace because apparently “zooming”is not sustainable over 2000 miles. Go figure. (And home girl does NOT need an overuse injury). Side note: the people at Hostel Around the Bend are fantastic- 10/10 would recommend.

Eitan and I separated a bit from our group that day as some forged farther ahead and some did a shorter, slower day. That first day back on the trail, we passed into North Crackalacky!! There’s also a gnarly tree right past the border, where Emma played a song and we all danced around it in celebration.

For the next few days, we were hiking (and camping) in a bear sanctuary. That bodes well for overnight food storage. Luckily, we didn’t have any overnight issues (although some hikes ahead of us had some horror stories). It’s also fun to play the game “where can I hide my bear canister to outthink a bear?”. Jokes on me, though, because the other day I spent a half hour in the morning trying to open my bear canister to no avail. I looked pathetic. Eventually I got it open (an hour into the hike) and finally got to my breakfast and toiletries (!!!). It was the cold’s fault.

Speaking of the cold, it’s still been cold almost every night. So cold that I have to sleep with my water filter in my sleeping bag every night. We’re tight now. Love a good snuggle with my Sawyer Squeeze.

Anywhomst… yesterday we crossed the 100 mile mark! And let me tell you- you have to EARN that 100th mile. Albert mountain is no joke and straight up. Then we went like 10 more miles for a LONGGG 15 mile day. My legs still hurt. BUTTT we ran into some week one buddies at the shelter!!! A celebratory fire and a slow morning made up for the long day. And that being us to today. We came into town for a bit, met up with some friends again, stuffed our faces, and are heading back to the trail! But I think it’ll be warm enough to kick my water filter out of the sleeping bag tonight :)

P.S. If you wanna fund some snacks along the way or a drink in town, my Venmo is @Lb_Monteith