That’s it for the spring. I’m back home now after connecting up two previously done areas on the trail. My two trips in April/May made a section from Carvers Gap to Boots Off Hostel (US 321) – 48.1 miles, done over 5 days (9.6 mile per day avg). I now have done Spriger to I-40 (Standing Bear) – 241 miles; Erwin, TN to Port Clinton, PA – 876 miles; and Hanover, NH to Great Barrington, MA – 227 miles. That’s 1,344 miles, leaving about 850 miles to complete the trail. Next up is the 442 miles from Baxter, ME to Hanover, NH.

The weather forecast looked Okay for the day, so even though it was raining when I got up, I shuttled up the trail to Dennis Cove Rd (Black Bear Resort) for a slack pack back to Boots Off with Mighty Blue.

The weather was supposed to move east and clear up as the cold front moved through. Liars!! It did get colder but it rained all day…

The hike was basically divided into 3 equal parts. Three miles along the Laurel River, down into the gorge with Laurel Falls, a 3 mile climb into the Pond Mtn Wilderness and then a 3 mile decent to Boots Off Hostel.

The climb was long and slow but I managed just fine. Lots of my new friends passed by during the ascent.

The descent to Boots Off was fast; the trail was well groomed with many switchbacks. It was a great day in spite of all the rain.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #3 (5/7/26)
Start - Black Bear Hostel (420.3)
End - Boots Off Hostel (429.0)
Today's mileage: 8.7
Total section miles: 33.4
Section Avg:  11.1
Total miles on AT: 1346.8

If the lessons of history teach us anything it is that nobody learns the lessons that history teaches us. 

The weather report for today was horrible, so I shuttled back to my car and drove to Boots Off Hostel. The weather wasn’t too bad here but the hikers coming off the mountain reported high winds, rain, thunder and lightning. I drove Mighty Blue (the Brit) here along with me. The plan is to get a shuttle back to Dennis Cove Rd for a 9 mile slackpack tomorrow past Laurel Falls and up over the mountain back here. We shall see. 🙄

In order to write about life first you must live it. — Ernest Hemingway

Day #2 was supposed to be an easy one. Eleven miles from FS 293 to Black Bear Hostel with a lighter pack. However, the nonstop ups and downs took their toll. I finished late in the day again.

I did continue to meet lots of other hikers and spent lots of time talking.

Rain ☔️ tomorrow; I’m taking a zero after getting my car.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #2 (5/5/26)
Start - FS Rd 293 (409.3)
End - Black Bear Hostel (420.3)
Today's mileage: 11.0
Total section miles: 24.7
Section Avg:  12.3
Total miles on AT: 1338.1

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. ― Langston Hughes

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