I’ve lucked out with the weather. It could be snowing. Instead, I’m sweating. I haven’t gotten wet on the trail since day one.

I’ve also lucked out in other ways. We arrived at a road junction to find an empty box of beer. As we sat there, wishing someone would stop, Freefall declared that the next pickup would give us some beer. Sure enough, it happened. We got five beers and some French chocolate. They also took our garbage off our hands. We’ve been picking up some of the trail side trash. That day we had a broken and abandoned tent. Today, we yanked what looked like a parachute out of a tree. It ended up being an inflatable advertisement from a car dealership sixty miles away. We cut it to pieces and carried it to town.

I’m enjoying breakfast after a damp stealth camp downstream of the famous Natahala Outdoor Center. The trail continues to be enjoyable. I’ve passed a few lookout towers. It helps to get the grand views, or even step out of the mountains to get perspective on where I am. I’ve also been surprised by how much ridge walking there is. And, the trail in spots, truly lives upto it’s reputation for steepness.

Freefall and I are still walking together, and it’s starting to feel like a thruhike. For starters, there aren’t many people around. The popular camps have had about five or six people in them. Today, we walked 24 miles, and saw only a few people on the trail. Freefall also has gear breaking down, a common problem on a long hike. He’s actually on the phone with Montrail about it right now. We talked about the scenery out here, how it’s not the reason we’re hiking. He’d like it to be spring, amd for the leaves to come out. I’m happy to still be able to see through the winter forests.

Tomorrow, we get to a resupply at NOC and are hoping for some live music and food.

I walked nineteen miles today, largely motivated by my ultra hiking friend Greg. He’s out for the weekend to see me on my way, get me started off right with a steak and potato dinner, and to put some miles on his feet before he tries for a very fast through hike of the pct.

Steaks crushed, we’re camping on top of a “mountain” with 300 degree views of the lights below. As correctly called by friends, I am in the role of minor celebrity out here on this tiny stretch of trail due to my previous experience and knowledge. There are so many people out here thirsty for backpacking talk. I was called over to talk one hiker out of quitting in the first thirty miles. I’ve had to repeat four times my comparison of Henry Shires’ Tarptents. I like the socializing, and I can only handle so many hours of great and trail talk a day.

I’m in North Carolina now.