| Mile | 272.1 |
| Miles Since Last Update | 14.8 |
| Day | 27 |
Woke up this morning and my shoes and socks were frozen solid. Thought that maybe if I slept in a bit they’d thaw. Did not help. I roll with a spare pair of socks tho, so manageable.
Was the last to leave camp at about 930. Passed Tinker pretty early on. He gave me shit about continuing to hike in shorts while there was snow on the ground (I don’t want more shit I have to worry about drying out). Passed father/daughter duo Pooch and Echo who were also at the camp too. Never passed Madeline. She’s probably in Erwin or something by now.
Not a ton else happened today. Was a smooth 15 miles. Sun came out and melted the rest of the snow. I made it to deer Park shelter with plenty of daylight to burn thru the remaining 3 miles to hot springs, but I figured this shelter might be totally empty since it is right outside hot springs, and I don’t have a room until tomorrow, so I wanted to give it a shot. Then I can be in hot springs super early tomorrow and not feeling like I’m dying.
There was already a tent at the site. Guy came out of it named Woodrow and we chilled for a bit while I cooked. He’d been section hiking for decades so he gave me a bunch of stories about hostels and crazy thru hikers he’d met and how much he hated ridge runners. Fun guy. He also told me I’d hung my hammock on a dead tree because I am dumb. Thanks Woodrow.
The site is pretty nice and secluded. Lots of pine trees. Supposed to be warm and clear tonight so I’m going to try to see some stars.
Back to back 15s feels pretty good. I may be getting actually better at this but I think the terrain on this stretch is mostly just being kinder. I’m not particularly sore or in pain, but both days my socks were soaked all day from the snow so my feet are a little shredded. Hoping a couple days in hot Springs will un shred them.
More snow
Cool water source I filled up on.