Day #1 of this section was a 14 mile slackpack back to Mtn Harbor. Perhaps I bit off more than I could chew, but at least I finished before dark! Better yet, the grill was still open; I scored a pastrami smash burger and Parmesan fries with a Diet Coke.

I met tons of people on trail today. Early in the day in ran into Soulman, the trail chaplain for this section . Met several young fast thru hikers and also hiked a bit with another pastor.

Craziest of all, three hikers passed me while I was taking a break. Turns out we all went to same high school in Bethesda, MD. One was in the class behind me and had a bizarrely similar career path to mine. Small world 🌎

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #1 (5/4/26)
Start - FS Rd 293 (409.3)
End - Mountain Harbor (395.6)
Today's mileage: 13.7
Total section miles: 13.7
Section Avg:  13.7
Total miles on AT: 1327.1

To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it. – Charlie Chaplain

Drove to eastern Tennessee today and I’m at Mtn Harbor again. Plan to slack pack back here tomorrow. May do 10.5 or 13.7 miles; can’t decide. 🤔 It’s 33.4 miles to Boots Off Hostel, so 13.7 miles tomorrow would mean a 10.7 mile and 9.0 mile day to get there on days #2 and #3 with my pack on. It’s supposed to start raining that last evening, so doing more early seems prudent. I just don’t have any trail legs at all.

“Your life changes the moment you make a new, congruent, and committed decision.” – Tony Robbins

Packed my backpack today. All loaded up with 3 days of food and fuel, it’s less than 15 lbs! Not too shabby…. But, am I ultralight?

Leaving early tomorrow to drive back to Mountain Harbor again. (135 miles to finish up the south.)

Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.

Ralph Ellison

I was initially planning to go a few days ago but decided to delay a few days because I developed sciatica! 😫

Saw my MD and got some rest; ready to go now. I’ll be leaving in 2 days with an alternative itinerary. Starting from Mountain Harbor again with a slack pack and shorter shuttles along the trail.

I’m also going to use my hammock for better support while sleeping on trail.

Trail Days is in Damascus in 2 weeks. Hmmm 🤔

Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach,

Tony Robins

Day 2 started with a climb up and over Hump Mountain. It’s tougher than it looks but the views were amazing!

After the 2.5 miles over Hump Mountain, the long (4.5 miles) steep descent back to Mountain Harbor followed. At Doll Flats, I got water and left NC. Met lots of thru-hikers who were mostly young and fast. (I’m old and slow!)

Back at Mountain Harbor, they opened their Food Truck for the season. Burgers, wings and fries finished the day with trail stories.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #2 (3/31/26)
Start - Stealth Camp (388.7)
End - Mountain Harbor (395.7)
Today's mileage: 7.0
Total section miles: 14.9
Section Avg:  7.5
Total miles on AT: 1313.4

Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.

Groucho Marx

Now it’s time to go back home. Millie’s recovering.