AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)

Collection of trail journals written during my 2018 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Click HERE to read from the beginning.


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
St. Patrick Drives the Hikers Out of the Smokies
Posted On March 17, 2018

Finally the sun! North of Tri-Knob Shelter in the Smokies March 17, 2018 Destination: Painter Branch Campsite Today's Miles: 20.50 Start Location: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter Trip Miles: 243.50 I woke up at 7am having …

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AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
The AT Luge
March 16, 2018

View from Charlie’s Bunion March 16, 2018 Destination: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter Today's Miles: 12.60 Start Location: Icewater Spring Shelter Trip Miles: 223 It got a little colder overnight than I expected. It was hard …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Trail of Ice, Trail of Blood
March 15, 2018

View from Clingman’s Dome March 15, 2018 Destination: Icewater Spring Shelter Today's Miles: 13.60 Start Location: Double Spring Gap Shelter Trip Miles: 210.40 I woke up early at about 5:30 and had to pee. Sensing …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Baby Birds Survive. More Snow Hiking!
March 14, 2018

A Winter Wonderland March 14, 2018 Destination: Double Spring Gap Shelter Today's Miles: 16.40 Start Location: Russell Field Shelter Trip Miles: 196.80 **i will back post the next few days later. Here’s where I …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Into the Smokies (to freeze!)
March 13, 2018

View from Fontana Dam March 13, 2018 Destination: Russell Field Shelter Today's Miles: 14.90 Start Location: Fontana Hilton Shelter Trip Miles: 180.40 Holy mother of the earth it’s cold! I woke up at the …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Eating, resting, and reflecting
March 12, 2018

Fontana lake with snow-dusted Smokies in the distance March 12, 2018 Destination: Fontana Hilton Shelter Today's Miles: 0 Start Location: Fontana Hilton Shelter Trip Miles: 165.50 The shelter was packed last night, but I …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Zero in Fontana Hilton
March 11, 2018

Hungry Cat at the Fontana Hilton March 11, 2018 Destination: Fontana Hilton Shelter Today's Miles: 0 Start Location: Fontana Hilton Shelter Trip Miles: 165.50 I woke at about 8 today. I slept fairly well …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Rags to Riches
March 10, 2018

View of Fontana lake from near the Fontana Hilton Shelter March 10, 2018 Destination: Fontana Hilton Shelter Today's Miles: 12.80 Start Location: Brown Fork Gap Shelter Trip Miles: 165.50 I woke up at about …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Big days, big climbs, big views
March 9, 2018

View of Nantahala Gorge March 9, 2018 Destination: Brown Fork Gap Shelter Today's Miles: 17 Start Location: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter Trip Miles: 152.70 I thought a lot about fried chicken today. It was …


AT Thru-Hike Trail Journal (2018)  / Hiking
Snow Days and Trail Magic
March 8, 2018

Wesser Bald ridgeline view March 8, 2018 Destination: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter Today's Miles: 14.20 Start Location: Lick Log Gap Trip Miles: 135.70 I slept fitfully last night. It was super cold at about …