Day 71

Day 71, 7/8/23

Appalachian Trail Conservancy to US Route 40

23.2 miles, mile 1,048.6

We busted these 23 miles out in 8 hours and 20 mins today! The elevation was around 4,000 feet but it felt pretty gradual for the most part. There were a lot of day hikers on one section of trail because it led up to a side trail for a view. It was like a conga line at one point! It is nice that people are out enjoying the woods, even when it is hot as hell and so humid. We didn’t take the side trail and just kept going north. We stopped for a break and ate some cold venison with salt which hit the spot. I wanted to eat it before it got too warm and gross. The hiking itself was pretty uneventful. We went through a small state park at one point with bathrooms and potable water which is always appreciated. When we were done we met Uncle Ryan and stopped at a grocery store on the way back to grab 2 more days of food to get us to our next resupply. Then I went for a swim and played with the dogs before getting in the shower for the last time for 5 days. I got my pack put together again and am realizing how slow I’m going to be tomorrow with all this new weight on my back that hasn’t been there for the last 3 days! I am certainly going to miss coming back to a house. Big thanks to my Uncle Ryan and Aunt Lynn for being so amazing and having us the last 4 days. We ate so much great food and nothing compares to nightly showers and a bed. He did almost poison me with gluten but I forgive him. 🙂 Onto PA tomorrow!