April 1

I have decided to quit the trail...

April Fools! Damascus is a sweet town. We've had a great day and plan to hit a local pub tonight. Sorry so short but a town day is for town goodies not for writing.

C-Zur

March 31

Damascus, "The Place." 26.1 miles.

Long but very enjoyable hike today. Nice hiking weather--cloudy/cool but not too windy or rainy. It is always easier to do a long day when you know that you're gonna end up in a town at the end of the day. "The Place" is not that cool I think we're taking a zero day tomorrow and move to "Dave's Place". But I'm beat so goodnight.

C-Zur

March 30

Iron Mtn Shelter. 15.4 miles.

Nice hike outta Hampton, sorry to leave Bob's Place (Kincora) though. Kind of a climb, but a pretty view of the lake. Today started a few days of ridge walkin', hopefully it stays like this. Plan on hitting Damascus the day after tomorrow. That means 26.1 miles tomorrow which will be my longest day yet by .1. Woo-Woo! I think it supposed to be sorta flat and downhill. Still hiking with the same folks who are all very cool! We are all looking forward to a town day despite just leaving Kincora.

C-Zur

March 29

Kincora Hostel. 9 miles (Slack Packed)

So Bob offered to drive us to Hampton and let us walk south back to the hostel which was awesome. Two nights in a bed for 8 dollars. It was a wonderful hike with the best waterfall yet. Now only 43 miles to Damascus and the first town of Virginia. Me and Myco are gonna do it in 2 days and maybe take a zero, I think the others are taking it in 3. After Damascus is not even planned yet...that is for later. Long day tomorrow, early night tonight.

C-Zur

March 28

Kincora Hostel. 15.6 miles.

Into the hostel around 4. In the rain all day again but still not caring. This is the best hostel so far...mostly because of Bob Peoples. He is a very interesting individual. Many many stories and very captivating ideas about the trail. I at 4 McDonalds double cheeseburgers, 2 McChickens, and 2 Large Fries...hit the spot. I also have a 1/2 gallon of Birthday Cake Ice Cream to eat as well, I love dessert. Well it is almost time for ice cream, have a good night because I know I will.

C-Zur

March 27

Mountaineer Shelter. 18.4 miles.

I hiked today with Myco Polo and we hitched into town for a diner meal before getting back on the trail to meet up with the other three thru-hikers (The Chicago Sisters-Hot Mess and Too Clean and mulleigh). This shelter is probably the coolest yet, there is a small loft area big enough for 2 or maybe 3 and there is a skylight panel. Again very protected from the wind...nice. I'm glad to have found some people to hike for a while with and we're hitting Kincora Hostel tomorrow. woo-hoo.

C-Zur

P.S. It has been cold and rainy since I left Erwin but mentally I'm doing much better.

March 26

21.7 miles. "The Barn"--Overmountain Shelter.

Foggy, windy, rainy, beautiful day. Climbed Roan today and it was amazing. I also ran into 4 other thru-hikers which was wonderful. This shelter is great too...fully enclosed so no wind! The valley was beautiful as well, you can actually see the fog rise and fall in it as the wind pushes and pulls the storm around. I won't lie this isn't the first time I've spent the night in the loft of a barn so I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep. Later.

C-Zur

March 25

Cherry Gap Shelter. 16.4 miles.

Didn't leave till noon so I got a late start but still made it 2 shelters out of town. Rain almost all day! This has got to be the worst shelter ever...a terribly cold, wet wind is blowing directly into it. My tarp is helping to shile part of it, but I'm still in for a cold night. Burr.

C-Zur

P.S. Unaka Mountain can bite me.

March 24

16.9 miles. Uncle Johnny's Hostel.

Made it to Erwin for a hot shower and a KFC buffet dinner. Delicious! Feeling much better today, I think I'll probably run into some more hikers in the next couple days. The weather is supposed to go all to crap for the next week or so but it is beautiful right now. I'm going to watch some TV and hit the hay.

C-Zur

March 23

Another day alone. ~19 miles. Big Bald Mountain Shelter.

Great day...really sucky evening. It's amazing how much I can piss myself off at myself...if that even makes sense.

C-Zur

March 22

I made my 20 miles today. I'm at Flint Mtn. Shelter by myself. One of the guys (Jeff) from last night had planned on stopping here, but it is almost dark so he must have held up somewhere else. I built the first fire of the trip, it was surprisingly easy. Biscuits are definitely on the menu tonight. I've been trying to catch a guy called Walkabout who has been boasing in the shelter's registers about some moonshine...he's quick though. I'm feeling good doing 20 miles...maybe I should try to push it to 25's after a week or so. Well, my fire's dying so I'm hitting the hay.

C-Zur

March 21

A hung over day with a nice long climb out of Hot Springs. I once again brought too much food out of town...my pack weighs so much. Made it to Spring Mtn. Shelter only like ~12 miles out of town but I'm happy with it. I hope to put in some 20 milers to get to Erwin in a few days.

C-Zur

March 20

Zero town day in Hot Springs.

Stayed at the car campground with E after soaking in the hot tub for a while...well I'm off to the tavern.

C-Zur

March 19

~26 Miles. Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, N.C.

Town night. I didn't get here till 6:30 pm almost everything was closed or closing so I quickly got a room and went across the street and got a pizza. Unfortunately the beer store was closed after I ate it. The room is very nice and private for only $20. The people here seemed nice until I told them that I wasn't a vegetarian and would not be joining them for their vegetarian meal since I'm very picky and did not want to offend anyone. Of course now that I read that I might have gotten offended too. Lack of seeing people really screws up one's social skills. Goodnight.

C-Zur

March 18

~18 miles--Groundhog Creek Shelter

I'm staying at a shelter with a guy by the name of Screech, which is what I wish I would have done before stopping here. He is quite appalling. This shelter is even more infested with mice than the last. One just jumped from a rafter onto my pack! I think I might tarp camp tomorrow night. Dave hiked with me for a while today which was nice cause I really haven't seen many people the last few days.

C-Zur

March 17

23.3 miles--Staying @ Cosby Knob Shelter

Another long day, though I had planned a short one. You were right Bird it was 3 o'clock and I said well I've got plenty of sunlight...might as well go on to the next shelter. And so here I am only 48 miles from Hot Springs...I might just try to make it in 2 days...just in time for the rain. Sorry so short I've got to fight the mice away from all my gear.

C-Zur

March 16

~24 miles. Stayed in G-burg.

Today was very long, wet, and cold. Unfortunately I haven't beena ble to see more than 20 yrds away from me at any given time in the last 39 miles. The Smokies are rightly names. Despite not getting in till kinda late Dave and Caitlin showed me a good time for the few hours I was awake in Gatlinburg. Gonna get an early start tomorrow cause my friends gotta go to work. (Good job Dave for getting a job...finally.)

C-Zur

P.S. Thanks Caroline for the care package. I'm sure I'll enjoy the salty nut bars and the Mr. Z jerky.

March 15

~15 miles. Stayed in Spence Field Shelter.

I got dropped back off at Fontana today after a zero day at home. Despite the raining/muddy conditions it was not terrible, though I hiked through heavy fog after dark and had to sleep on the muddy floor of the shelter since it was full. Only one more long day and I'll be in Gatlinburg. I'm looking forward to seeing Dave and Caitlin. Not having Atlas with me is both a good and bad thing at this point.

C-Zur

P.S. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me a great zero day at home in my own bed.