Appalachian Trail: Day 46
Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. All the gear mentioned in this post was purchased by me at retail prices. I have no affiliations with any of the companies or brands mentioned.
Today was a hot day. So hot in fact, that I had to stop and dig out my sunscreen and lather up since I decided to take the legs off my pants to make them into shorts and hiked in my sports bra.
The sunscreen seemed to do its job since I didn't get burnt today, but hopefully the exposure will help build a base tab so I don't burn so easily in the future.
The climbs up Little Hump Mountain and then Hump Mountain were killers especially with the heat since they are balds. But the views from the top were nice.
On the way down towards US 19E, there was a series of switchbacks where a couple of loose dogs aggressively barked at me. I had to ward them off my with trekking poles and was worried they were going to attack. Even after they went off and I continued hiking, I kept checking over my shoulder to make sure they weren't following me. A little down the trail, I came across a couple people who asked about the dogs. Apparently they had gotten loose and the people there going to get them.
I originally was planning on stopping at the camp site right before US 19E, but it was too early to stop, so I crossed the road and had a late lunch near a stream.
More climbing and more sun exposure lead to a jeep road with a turn off towards a hostel. I debated hiking there for the night, but Bard and Glimmer passed by as I was debating. Ultimately, I decided to continue down the trail. I caught up with them at Isaacs Cemetery where they were setting up camp. It seemed good enough and the next tent site was at least a couple more miles, so I stopped and setup too.
Tomorrow looks to be a bit flatter. Should be 15 miles to a shelter which apparently has had the roof collapse, but has plenty of tent sites. Should be able to hit Hampton, TN the day after tomorrow.