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.

I spent the night at Mountain Harbor before shuttling to Carver Gap in the morning to start an overnight NOBO hike with Millie.

Millie did a great job hiking. We hiked 8 miles including a grueling climb up and over Little Hump Mountain to finish the day. Met lots of thru-hikers and enjoyed Mountain Harbor.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #1 (3/30/26)
Start - Carver’s Gap (380.8)
End - Stealth Camp (388.7)
Today's mileage: 7.9
Total section miles: 7.9
Section Avg:  7.9
Total miles on AT: 1306.4

What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn’t come every day.

George Bernard Shaw

PS – If you noticed, I’ve now hiked 1,300 miles on the AT!!!

I haven’t seen images of this year’s hang tag on the internet. Here’s what I picked up at Amicolola a couple of weeks ago.