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.

It’s time to go on a short hike to get the season started. I’ll be going to Roan Mountain, TN in one week to do an overnight between Carver’s Gap and Mountain Harbor at 19E. It’s only 15 miles, but for the first time, I’ll be taking the dog with me. Mille’s been training with me so she’ll be ready. She’s also been storing up energy for the trek. She has a backpacking bed and a warm jacket to wear. Dont’ worry, she’ll be well taken care of.

I also stopped by Amicolola State Park a couple of weeks ago to pick up my hang tag for the year. I’m officially registered for a SOBO LASH starting at Kathadin on July 9th, even though I’ll be hiking before then. The ATC reps at Amicolola were wonderful and I even watched the corny thru-hiker video!

“You have to prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to conquer any mountain.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

Good question. The only thing I used to be able to think of, other than getting on trail with a pack and starting to hike, was to put on a 25 lb pack and walk stadium stairs for 8 hours a day for three weeks. I decided to search the internet for plans and here’s what I found.

The program outlines a program that includes work on the treadmill, balance/strength exercises, stair walking and hiking. The program gets progressively more intense over 12 weeks. Level 1 allegedly prepares for 6 miles a day at up to 6,000 feet of altitude. Over another 12 weeks, Level 2 is for 10 miles a day at up to 10,000 feet. I’ll be completing Level 2 before the summer when I go to Maine.

So far, the program is working well for me. I’m half way through Level 1; I’m stronger and more agile.

For balance, I’m using a slack line board. The Gibbon Board https://gibbon-usa.com/ has been a fantastic trainer for me.

So that’s it. I’m off to the Y to hike 5 miles on their indoor track today. Happy Hiking! “Puffin”

It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.

Theodore Roosevelt