yep!
pit zips, adjustable hood, keeps water off real good. packs real small and is light. Baggyish fit but I like the space for a senchi hoodie or a puffy jacket under it.
Angry’s Big Number Two
- Thread starter AngryMetalsmith
- Start date
pit zips, adjustable hood, keeps water off real good. packs real small and is light. Baggyish fit but I like the space for a senchi hoodie or a puffy jacket under it.
Day 30 5/16 11.3 miles
Laughing Heart Hostel to Spring Mountain Shelter
As always on the AT there is a long grueling climb out of every town stop with heavy packs of excess food. My pack weighed 32 pounds which is pushing it’s limits. I had packed 8 lbs of food. Far more than necessary. And it was wearing on me to the point that my shoulders were on fire. Normally I can get the pack adjusted to place all the weight on my hips, but not this day. I and others who also were carrying a lot of weight took several breaks to get the packs of our backs. I was miserable and felt like throwing away all my food and quitting. We only made it 11 miles. It was that bad.
I started to look at my pack for issues and realized that the shoulder straps were completely compressed where they contact my shoulders. Also it has around 2800 total miles on it. Later when we got to Erwin I spoke to an outfitter who said that the foam in packs can break down or get compressed, compromising the integrity and affect the fit.
Having all that excess weight caused me to stress eat to get rid of it. The slightest bit of hunger was an excuse to eat. I would eat an energy bar after dinner. Unfortunately by day five I ran out of food.
It’s an extremely difficult balance of food weight vs how much you can carry to achieve. Too much food and you bog down to a shorter distance making it difficult to reach the next resupply stop before you run out. Not enough food and you will have to push the pace to an uncomfortable level to get to your destination.
Shortly after calling it a day and setting up camp we were alerted to the presence of a very large bear down by the water source. First bear sighting of the hike for me.
Laughing Heart Hostel to Spring Mountain Shelter
As always on the AT there is a long grueling climb out of every town stop with heavy packs of excess food. My pack weighed 32 pounds which is pushing it’s limits. I had packed 8 lbs of food. Far more than necessary. And it was wearing on me to the point that my shoulders were on fire. Normally I can get the pack adjusted to place all the weight on my hips, but not this day. I and others who also were carrying a lot of weight took several breaks to get the packs of our backs. I was miserable and felt like throwing away all my food and quitting. We only made it 11 miles. It was that bad.
I started to look at my pack for issues and realized that the shoulder straps were completely compressed where they contact my shoulders. Also it has around 2800 total miles on it. Later when we got to Erwin I spoke to an outfitter who said that the foam in packs can break down or get compressed, compromising the integrity and affect the fit.
Having all that excess weight caused me to stress eat to get rid of it. The slightest bit of hunger was an excuse to eat. I would eat an energy bar after dinner. Unfortunately by day five I ran out of food.
It’s an extremely difficult balance of food weight vs how much you can carry to achieve. Too much food and you bog down to a shorter distance making it difficult to reach the next resupply stop before you run out. Not enough food and you will have to push the pace to an uncomfortable level to get to your destination.
Shortly after calling it a day and setting up camp we were alerted to the presence of a very large bear down by the water source. First bear sighting of the hike for me.
Day 31 5/17 15.9 miles
Spring Mountain Shelter to Jerry’s Cabin Shelter
Stopped at the Southern Cookie Lady’s house for some delicious homemade peanut butter cookies. She is a really sweet lady who sets up a trail magic station on her porch. There hikers can get water, dump trash and enjoy a baked good.
Light rain in the afternoon made traversing Big Firescald Knob muddy, slick and dangerous. This is a section that gets little attention in the lore of the trail but is no less formidable than Blood Mountain in Georgia. Here you have to stay focused to not fall. There are several rock scrambles that demand a hiker’s full attention.
Spring Mountain Shelter to Jerry’s Cabin Shelter
Stopped at the Southern Cookie Lady’s house for some delicious homemade peanut butter cookies. She is a really sweet lady who sets up a trail magic station on her porch. There hikers can get water, dump trash and enjoy a baked good.
Light rain in the afternoon made traversing Big Firescald Knob muddy, slick and dangerous. This is a section that gets little attention in the lore of the trail but is no less formidable than Blood Mountain in Georgia. Here you have to stay focused to not fall. There are several rock scrambles that demand a hiker’s full attention.
Day 32 5/18 15.6 miles
Jerry’s Cabin Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter
It had been raining quite a bit and we will stay in shelters when either it’s raining too hard to pitch a tent or there are no available tent sites. This also helps since we won’t have to break down a tent in the rain.
We had hiked 12 hours the day before and got to the shelter much later than normal. Wound up eating dinner in the dark with my headlamp watching mice run around my feet. You realize that you now live in a different world than before, as this seems normal.
We got started in the rain and fog which continued until lunch. Sometime in the late afternoon I caught a glimpse of a strip of jet black fur as it streaked across the trail and down into the woods. Bear sighting number two.
Jerry’s Cabin Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter
It had been raining quite a bit and we will stay in shelters when either it’s raining too hard to pitch a tent or there are no available tent sites. This also helps since we won’t have to break down a tent in the rain.
We had hiked 12 hours the day before and got to the shelter much later than normal. Wound up eating dinner in the dark with my headlamp watching mice run around my feet. You realize that you now live in a different world than before, as this seems normal.
We got started in the rain and fog which continued until lunch. Sometime in the late afternoon I caught a glimpse of a strip of jet black fur as it streaked across the trail and down into the woods. Bear sighting number two.
Day 33 5/19 13.5 miles
Hogback Ridge Shelter to Whistling Gap tentsite
Another long day, 11 hours but no rain.
Hogback Ridge Shelter to Whistling Gap tentsite
Another long day, 11 hours but no rain.
Day 34 5/20 13.4 miles
Whistling Gap tentsite to Uncle Johnny’s Hostel
I set the alarm for 5:00am so we could get an early start and get to town. But a minute or so before it went off the Great Barred Owls started going at it. There were several of them and it was unbelievably loud. One hiker said she thought there were monkeys outside her tent. I thought they were going to kill each other. Never heard anything like that before. Wow.
At this point both Daytona Mike and myself were pretty much out of food. I had two fig bars, half a giant Snickers and one dinner that I ate for lunch. Another hiker gave me a honey bun which saved the day.
The trail was mostly downhill to the hostel which sits along the Nolichucky River and across from the AT. We got checked in, cleaned up and got a hot meal nearby.
Whistling Gap tentsite to Uncle Johnny’s Hostel
I set the alarm for 5:00am so we could get an early start and get to town. But a minute or so before it went off the Great Barred Owls started going at it. There were several of them and it was unbelievably loud. One hiker said she thought there were monkeys outside her tent. I thought they were going to kill each other. Never heard anything like that before. Wow.
At this point both Daytona Mike and myself were pretty much out of food. I had two fig bars, half a giant Snickers and one dinner that I ate for lunch. Another hiker gave me a honey bun which saved the day.
The trail was mostly downhill to the hostel which sits along the Nolichucky River and across from the AT. We got checked in, cleaned up and got a hot meal nearby.
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Day 35 5/21 0 miles
We decided to take a zero to recover from five grueling days of hiking. I decided that there is no way to continue with my current, worn out pack so I ordered a new one. Same model, just uses Ultra 200, a lighter waterproof material. That means no new puzzles to figure out. Having it sent up trail to a hostel that I stayed at last year.
So far this hike has tested me more mentally than last year. I mean, yeah, it’s physically demanding sure. But the gear failures and getting robbed have been very stressful. There are some days, several actually, where I am not having any fun. And the rain, oh the rain. I hate it, really do. But I accept the suffering. Without it there is no thru hike, no beautiful views or stories to collect. So I push on.
We decided to take a zero to recover from five grueling days of hiking. I decided that there is no way to continue with my current, worn out pack so I ordered a new one. Same model, just uses Ultra 200, a lighter waterproof material. That means no new puzzles to figure out. Having it sent up trail to a hostel that I stayed at last year.
So far this hike has tested me more mentally than last year. I mean, yeah, it’s physically demanding sure. But the gear failures and getting robbed have been very stressful. There are some days, several actually, where I am not having any fun. And the rain, oh the rain. I hate it, really do. But I accept the suffering. Without it there is no thru hike, no beautiful views or stories to collect. So I push on.
That all looks way more civilized than my CT thru-hike. Though my weather was a lot better. 
As I read about your amazing journey, sitting here in the house I grew up in the Central Valley of California, babysitting my geriatric mother, I think to myself, this ain’t so bad.
JK, mad respect and thanks for all of the photographs
JK, mad respect and thanks for all of the photographs
Day 36 5/22 17.3 miles
Uncle Johnny’s to Cherry Gap Shelter
Another 12 hour day.
Took some time to go through my gear to get rid of anything that I wasn’t using and was able to shed some weight. With a three pound reduction, I was still hurting. Kept having to stop to take my pack off to let my shoulders rest. Looking forward to getting the new pack.
Discovered that another piece of gear was starting to fail. The shoulder strap pocket was holding on by a couple of threads. Shortly after getting in my tent for the night an intense thunderstorm rolled through. I sat there sewing up the connector as it poured buckets of water. There was a running water underneath the tent but no water got inside except for condensation between the flooring and the sleeping pad. So far pretty pleased with the new tent.
Uncle Johnny’s to Cherry Gap Shelter
Another 12 hour day.
Took some time to go through my gear to get rid of anything that I wasn’t using and was able to shed some weight. With a three pound reduction, I was still hurting. Kept having to stop to take my pack off to let my shoulders rest. Looking forward to getting the new pack.
Discovered that another piece of gear was starting to fail. The shoulder strap pocket was holding on by a couple of threads. Shortly after getting in my tent for the night an intense thunderstorm rolled through. I sat there sewing up the connector as it poured buckets of water. There was a running water underneath the tent but no water got inside except for condensation between the flooring and the sleeping pad. So far pretty pleased with the new tent.
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Day 37 5/23 17.6 miles
Cherry Gap Shelter to Roan High Knob Shelter
12+ hours with a very difficult climb up to the highest shelter on the AT. Ran into another hiker, Randi, whom we’ve been hiking with at a shelter while getting out of the rain to eat lunch. The two of us continued towards the shelter with the others soon to follow. We wound up pushing each other to reach the shelter. We were both beat. Didn’t take any pictures of the shelter this time because we got there late and had to get into warm dry clothes and eat something.
Cherry Gap Shelter to Roan High Knob Shelter
12+ hours with a very difficult climb up to the highest shelter on the AT. Ran into another hiker, Randi, whom we’ve been hiking with at a shelter while getting out of the rain to eat lunch. The two of us continued towards the shelter with the others soon to follow. We wound up pushing each other to reach the shelter. We were both beat. Didn’t take any pictures of the shelter this time because we got there late and had to get into warm dry clothes and eat something.
Day 38 5/24 16.3 miles
Roan High Knob Shelter to Mountain Harbor Hostel
Easier day but several pack off breaks were required as my shoulders continue to hurt. It rained through the morning but cleared up to reveal the elusive views from the Roan Highlands. Then we made our way down the hill to Mountain Harbor Hostel.
Roan High Knob Shelter to Mountain Harbor Hostel
Easier day but several pack off breaks were required as my shoulders continue to hurt. It rained through the morning but cleared up to reveal the elusive views from the Roan Highlands. Then we made our way down the hill to Mountain Harbor Hostel.
Day 39 5/25 8.8 miles
Mountain Harbor Hostel to Mountaineer Falls Shelter campsite.
Mountain Harbor Hostel puts out an amazing breakfast for hungry hikers. It’s legendary and lives up to the reputation. We ate so much that we were waddling up the trail.
Mountain Harbor Hostel to Mountaineer Falls Shelter campsite.
Mountain Harbor Hostel puts out an amazing breakfast for hungry hikers. It’s legendary and lives up to the reputation. We ate so much that we were waddling up the trail.
Day 40 5/26 16 miles
Mountaineer Falls Campsite to Black Bear Resort
I had my shoes and pack sent to the hostel but neither were there when I got there. The box my Mom sent which included my new debit card was there however. So that was good. But I continued to get stressed and frustrated. Been rather difficult to find good replacement gear on trail. Ugh.
Mountaineer Falls Campsite to Black Bear Resort
I had my shoes and pack sent to the hostel but neither were there when I got there. The box my Mom sent which included my new debit card was there however. So that was good. But I continued to get stressed and frustrated. Been rather difficult to find good replacement gear on trail. Ugh.
Day 41 5/27 8.9 miles
Black Bear Resort to Boots Off Hostel
Another massive thunderstorm rolled through in the morning so we waited it out until 11:30. Had a good breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. A much welcomed alternative to eating fig bars on the move.
The water levels were dangerously high in some parts of the trail so we were cautioned to take the high water bypass. When we got there we decided to drop our packs and walk down to Laurel Fork Falls and climbed back up. Even the bypass had several water crossings. And the mud was a chore to navigate.
Black Bear Resort to Boots Off Hostel
Another massive thunderstorm rolled through in the morning so we waited it out until 11:30. Had a good breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. A much welcomed alternative to eating fig bars on the move.
The water levels were dangerously high in some parts of the trail so we were cautioned to take the high water bypass. When we got there we decided to drop our packs and walk down to Laurel Fork Falls and climbed back up. Even the bypass had several water crossings. And the mud was a chore to navigate.
Day 42 5/28 0
Zero at Boots Off Hostel
Took the day to sort out my gear issues. I had located a pair of shoes at a store 33 miles away and had a shuttle driver on the way to pick me up when the owner of Black Bear texted me that my shoes had been delivered. So a much shorter trip and I now have new shoes. My feet were hurting so bad. It was like walking on boards.
Zero at Boots Off Hostel
Took the day to sort out my gear issues. I had located a pair of shoes at a store 33 miles away and had a shuttle driver on the way to pick me up when the owner of Black Bear texted me that my shoes had been delivered. So a much shorter trip and I now have new shoes. My feet were hurting so bad. It was like walking on boards.
How do we get out of this chicken shit outfit....
Day 43 5/29 16 miles
Boots Off Hostel to Iron Mountain Shelter
New shoes combined with easier terrain made for some fast hiking. No rain, sunny and on the cool side.
Boots Off Hostel to Iron Mountain Shelter
New shoes combined with easier terrain made for some fast hiking. No rain, sunny and on the cool side.
Day 44 5/30 16 miles
Iron Mountain Shelter to Abington Gap Shelter
Another day very similar to yesterday. Easier terrain, no rain. And another night in my tent, and not in the shelter with the mice.
Iron Mountain Shelter to Abington Gap Shelter
Another day very similar to yesterday. Easier terrain, no rain. And another night in my tent, and not in the shelter with the mice.
Day 45 5/31 10.2 miles
Abington Gap Shelter to Broken Fiddle Hostel
And yet another day of nice weather. Quite a welcome break from a life in the rain. We had an easy day that ended at the Damascus Diner for lunch. Got to love a town where the AT goes right through it. Then we headed to Broken Fiddle Hostel to get cleaned up. I stayed here last year for two nights and it was good to see the manager, Treehouse, again. He was the guy who picked me up and drove me back to NC when I got hurt and couldn’t find a rental car. Solid dude with a ton of trail wisdom.
Abington Gap Shelter to Broken Fiddle Hostel
And yet another day of nice weather. Quite a welcome break from a life in the rain. We had an easy day that ended at the Damascus Diner for lunch. Got to love a town where the AT goes right through it. Then we headed to Broken Fiddle Hostel to get cleaned up. I stayed here last year for two nights and it was good to see the manager, Treehouse, again. He was the guy who picked me up and drove me back to NC when I got hurt and couldn’t find a rental car. Solid dude with a ton of trail wisdom.
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We are currently at mile 471. In four days I will reach the point where I quit last year at mile 534.4. Everything from then on will be new to me. New trail, new town stops, new states, etc. very exciting.
Good for you @AngryMetalsmith. Sending whatever positive vibes I can conjure your way. You've got this!
Day 46 6/1 12.3 miles
Broken Fiddle Hostel to Campsite at mile 483.7.
Stayed up late talking by the fire to Treehouse, the manager of the hostel, about trail life and last year’s attempt. Was a good stay in Damascus. Broken Fiddle is one of the best hostels on the AT.
Made it across the street when Daytona Mike reminded me to check if I had my wallet. Discovered that my phone was down to 57% because I hadn’t turned on Airplane mode. Went back to the hostel to top off the phone and eat another Lemon Poppy Muffin. Then, as usual, a climb with a pack heavy with food for four plus days.
Broken Fiddle Hostel to Campsite at mile 483.7.
Stayed up late talking by the fire to Treehouse, the manager of the hostel, about trail life and last year’s attempt. Was a good stay in Damascus. Broken Fiddle is one of the best hostels on the AT.
Made it across the street when Daytona Mike reminded me to check if I had my wallet. Discovered that my phone was down to 57% because I hadn’t turned on Airplane mode. Went back to the hostel to top off the phone and eat another Lemon Poppy Muffin. Then, as usual, a climb with a pack heavy with food for four plus days.
Day 47 6/2 15.8 miles
Campsite to Thomas Knob Shelter
Another long day with a pack with worn out shoulder straps. We got to the shelter sort of late and got our tents set up as a thick fog began to blanket the area. It was cold and I climbed into my sleeping bag to make dinner. You’re not really supposed to eat in your tent but after more than a month on trail some rules get relaxed a bit. Also I’m not a slob and don’t leave crumbs everywhere. Slept pretty well that night.
Campsite to Thomas Knob Shelter
Another long day with a pack with worn out shoulder straps. We got to the shelter sort of late and got our tents set up as a thick fog began to blanket the area. It was cold and I climbed into my sleeping bag to make dinner. You’re not really supposed to eat in your tent but after more than a month on trail some rules get relaxed a bit. Also I’m not a slob and don’t leave crumbs everywhere. Slept pretty well that night.
Day 48 6/3 11.1 miles
Thomas Knob Shelter to Old Orchard Shelter
As we were getting up and moving around 6:00 it started to rain. Fortunately I had already had coffee and a visit to the privy. We decided to wait out the storm. I went back to sleep and apparently slept like a rock for 2.5 hours during a thunderstorm. Packed up our wet tents and off we went. Soon we would pass the 500 mile marker. No small feat.
Thomas Knob Shelter to Old Orchard Shelter
As we were getting up and moving around 6:00 it started to rain. Fortunately I had already had coffee and a visit to the privy. We decided to wait out the storm. I went back to sleep and apparently slept like a rock for 2.5 hours during a thunderstorm. Packed up our wet tents and off we went. Soon we would pass the 500 mile marker. No small feat.
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Day 49 6/4 23.9 miles
Old Orchard Shelter to Partnership Shelter
Wasn’t able to turn the volume down on my phone so a 5:00 am alarm would wake the whole camp. But did manage to get up at 5:30 and on trail by 6:50. My desire to get the old pack off my shoulders was highly motivating. Kept pushing the pace all day. Where it was flattish, I cranked it up to 2.5-3mph. Even being low on food I was still having to stop to let my shoulders rest. Most frustrating when the terrain is easier and my legs and feet feel great.
Got to the shelter and the same spot I got off trail due to injury last year around 7:30. Went over to the Mount Rogers Visitor Center to use their free landline to try a get a ride into Marion, VA but there was no dial tone. No cel service of course. Next option was to try to hitch but that didn’t work because there just wasn’t enough traffic. Thought I was going to have to set up camp and get a ride in the morning. Decided to try the landline one more time and as if by magic the phone was working. Got a shuttle driver to come get me and take me to the hotel that my new pack was delivered to.
Hit my first Twenty at nearly 24 miles. I was cooked when I got to the hotel. Oof what a day.
Old Orchard Shelter to Partnership Shelter
Wasn’t able to turn the volume down on my phone so a 5:00 am alarm would wake the whole camp. But did manage to get up at 5:30 and on trail by 6:50. My desire to get the old pack off my shoulders was highly motivating. Kept pushing the pace all day. Where it was flattish, I cranked it up to 2.5-3mph. Even being low on food I was still having to stop to let my shoulders rest. Most frustrating when the terrain is easier and my legs and feet feel great.
Got to the shelter and the same spot I got off trail due to injury last year around 7:30. Went over to the Mount Rogers Visitor Center to use their free landline to try a get a ride into Marion, VA but there was no dial tone. No cel service of course. Next option was to try to hitch but that didn’t work because there just wasn’t enough traffic. Thought I was going to have to set up camp and get a ride in the morning. Decided to try the landline one more time and as if by magic the phone was working. Got a shuttle driver to come get me and take me to the hotel that my new pack was delivered to.
Hit my first Twenty at nearly 24 miles. I was cooked when I got to the hotel. Oof what a day.
Day 50 6/6 0 miles
After hiking 24 miles I decided to double zero since Daytona Mike got into town the following morning. We both needed zeros.
After hiking 24 miles I decided to double zero since Daytona Mike got into town the following morning. We both needed zeros.
Just wanted to take a moment to thank all the monkeys who have donated money to my hike. They came at a time when I needed it, actually and psychologically. Having multiple gear failures and getting robbed was quite stressful. There were a couple of times I was ready to quit because I just couldn’t catch a break. However, getting a notice that someone donated is both humbling and motivating.
Things are looking a lot better. My new pack should alleviate the shoulder pain that has slowed me down. And as of today, everything will be new to me. So I will continue pushing forward.
Thank you all so very much.
Hike Angry !
Things are looking a lot better. My new pack should alleviate the shoulder pain that has slowed me down. And as of today, everything will be new to me. So I will continue pushing forward.
Thank you all so very much.
Hike Angry !