I’m Outside! And Still Alive!

Updates from the Mountains

Episode #3: A Week of Walking is Quite Eventful

A lot can happen in a week. Day 9 and I just took my first shower. And there was much rejoicing.

Where do I even start??

First off, I love the trail. I’m having such a great time, even though it’s tough. I’ve met some lovely people and had some amazing days (and cold nights). To keep things short and sweet, I’ll just make a list of things that I’ve experienced so far along with a small collection of pictures.

• Hiked the first part of the approach trail with my parents

• Accidentally woke up for sunrise on the morning after the first night

• Found a ladybug in my tent on night one, and found it on my trekking poles the next morning

• Survived a single-digit windchill night on day 2

• Used some less-than-ideal privies

• Found out that boiling water does NOT go in ultralight Nalgenes (and plastic is not a good water flavoring)

• Met some super nice and funny hikers (some on which I’ve been meeting up with almost every night, and a few a sharing a bunk room with tonight)

• Did some really bad, and some not too bad, PCT hangs (You should ask Eitan about his)

• Pet a LOT of moss

• Worked my calves into knots

• Had some awesome trail magic (extra shout out to the group that made eggs for breakfast the other day; you fueled me up that mountain.)

• Woke up at 4:30 AM to hike 2 hours up the tallest peak on the GA section of the Appalachian Trail and watched the sunrise :))) SO worth it

• Seen some gorgeous views of mountains and waterfalls

• Started and tended to many a campfires (despite Ranger Fred saying they’re “unnecessary”… have you ever heard of WARMTH? And COMMUNITY?)

• Spent half a day in my tent waiting out a rain storm

• Made it to Neel’s Gap for my first resupply after four days on the trail!

• Made it to Dick’s Creek Gap/Around the Bend Hostel for my second resupply!

• Found out that some of our favorite hiking buddies are only section hiking (fake! Feeling bamboozled!)

• Wore approximately 386183 hot spots into my feet. And continued to walk bc if I’m walking I don’t feel anything so it must me fine, right?

• Got judged for my rehydrated refried beans + cheezits + hot sauce tortilla wrap. It was delicious. I will not hear otherwise.

• Had a bear cable break last night and everyone at the shelter’s food bags were on the ground

• Hiked 11 miles before noon motivated by the fact that it was too cold and blustery to stop moving and the promise of a shower and laundry.

Tonight I’m staying at a hostel and taking my first “zero” (rest day) tomorrow with Eitan and a few of our trail buddies. I’ve had my first shower in 9 days and am finally washing my clothes. My socks were most literally standing up on their own. You’re welcome for that information. It’s supposed to POUR tomorrow, which is why we decided to stay two nights in the hostel and take tomorrow completely off. It’s probably good for my feet. In the mean time, here’s a my first post from the trail and a bunch of pictures!!

Here’s to more hiking :) 🥾🌄

P.S. If you wanna help curb the hiker hunger (we already only talk about food), my Venmo is @Lb_Monteith