A portion of the AT

Dudes! and Dudettes! What a great experience I had w/ some friends along a section of the AT last week (approx. 70 mls. for myself). This was my first backpacking excursion of this length of time and distance though I've probably walked over 400 miles this year and thus as I was in good physical shape as we covered some righteous elevations between Erwin and Hampton.



We stayed at Greasy Creek Friendly one night and were treated to some veggie items by Connie's vegan friends who were grilling out after hiking. The next morning we bought a hot breakfast from Connie which coupled with good company and a hot pot of coffee made for a good start before getting back on the trail and towards Roan Mountain.
The 3rd and 4th day were physically challenging and worth all the sweat and sore muscles with numerous vistas and great spots to tent camp though at this point is where water needed to conserved some. Water was sometimes a concern due to the lack of rainfall in this region as well as some caution about pollutants from former farm lands on the ridges above the water sources on 4th night and this portion of the trail. Which was a bummer because we spent the night in a tent area right on the side of Laurel Fork a stream which was running despite the dry times.

On the last night we stayed at Kincora Hostel, which by the way lived up to it's billing I read on various sites and reviews, Bob told us that that area was over ten inches below average for rainfall this year. Still the flowers were blooming.