Sunday, May 11, 2014

The First 25% Completed!

After a slow start, the miles are dropping quickly now, as much as 100 miles per week. The scenery has been surreal and the new friendships have been amazing. The cold weather seems to be behind us now, and we have enjoyed a long string of beautiful days and clear nights under the stars. Having now completed 531 miles of the Appalachian Trail, almost a quarter of the way from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin, I would say this has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life.

Of the 2,000 or so aspiring thru-hikers who left Springer Mountain this spring, it's expected that only about 20-25% will make it all the way to the end of the trail in Maine. Many have dropped out by now, and the trail seems less crowded than earlier on. People are starting to talk about Mount Katahdin more and more now, less like some mythical place and more like an achievable goal.

Here are a few photo highlights from the past few weeks...

Overlooking the Nolichucky River near Erwin, Tennessee
 
A spruce forest at the summit of a mountain
 
This guy did not want me in his forest
 
Several of us escaped a night of thunderstorms here in the Over Mountain Shelter
 
"Sprinkleburst" entertains fellow hikers at Over Mountain Shelter
 
Tortoise, Longhorn, and Lotus enjoy movies at the Mountain Harbour Hostile
 
Hikers enjoy an amazing gourmet breakfast at Mountain Harbour Hostile
 
Sloth, Big Sexy, and Southbound make their way up a hill
 

A cardinal perched outside Kincora Hostile
 

One of hundreds of beautiful stream crossings
 A quick video at Laurel Falls

"Lost Boy" crosses into Virginia
 
A picturesque sunset near the Tennessee/Virginia state line
 
The area surrounding Mount Rogers in Virginia - just stunning
 
"Smokey the Beard" makes a new friend
 
"Hungry" is on top of the world
 
The Grayson Highlands area of Virginia, my favorite part of the trail so far
 
Herds of wild ponies keep the landscape well manicured
 
Yep. 500 miles!

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