Date: 2016-06-11
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: broken clouds

26.3!!!!!!!!!!!!!So I completed my first marathon hike and I am not sure I am going to do that again. It is rough on the body to be hiking that long.I finally got out of camp around 9am. I knew I should have gotten going earlier but I was just so comfortable. There was a little chill in the air so it was nice to just lay there and not move. So I knew I was going to hike the marathon today and I was hoping that the terrain would not be too bad. The first 8 miles were a killer. Today was the hottest day on the trail yet reaching about 90 degrees. The terrain was really Rocky and it was just up and down all morning. It was not like a gradual up or down they were all quick ups and downs. I was making really good time it was just rough going. There was one cool section that was called the rock maze. It was on the ridge where you had to follow the arrows as you went thru different rock openings. I had to take it slow to not hurt myself but it was aa really interesting part. After about 12 miles into the day I reached Boiling Springs. The first thing I see when I get to the town was a water park and some water slides. I was really tempted to go relax but I wanted to keep going. Boiling Spings in the location of one of the AT offices so I dropped off my pack there and headed to the gas station for some soda and chips. I sat at a picnic table and really enjoyed my mt dew and chips. I got two bags of chips and put one in my pack for a camp. It was nice to just relax and feel the breeze on this hot day. After about an hour I knew that if I did not leave soon I would not be able to make it to camp before dark. I started on the 14 mile trek to camp. It was all flat mostly but it was already 3 pm so I was going to have to book it. I was going at a good pace and was able to get 8 miles done in about two hours. I stopped for a little for some trail major along the road of some drinks. The hike was not too bad. It was taking me thru all of the different farm lands and had to cross many roadsAt this point I had to slow down a little. With all of the heat and the sweat I was starting to get some chaffing. It did not feel great. With me losing more weight on the trail my underwear has started to get too big and becoming too baggy. I brought one smaller pair just in case so I will have to start wearing them mostly. Luckly I am heading to my parents house in about a week where I can change out some of my clothes and gear. I still had about 6 more miles to go. The next four I slowed down a little and was walking on different boardwalks around the river. It was a nice little hike but I had the constant reminder of the sun that was starting to worry me. I finally reached the point where I only had 2 miles left but it was all up hill. The shelter was located at the top of the ridge. You had to go all of the way to the shelter because all of the land from Boiling Springs to the shelter was private property and there was no camping. As I started to make the trek up the mountain I saw a sign about a mile from camp that the water was poor at the shelter and to get it here. I usually like to grab 5 liters of water for the night so I have enough to cook with and don't have to get water in the morning. All of this extra weight just made the last mile so tough. I knew I was almost there but I was going so slow. My body must have realized that it was time to shut down. I finally made it to camp at 830. I had completed my goal hiking 26 miles in one day. I had just enough light to setup camp and lay down. Tomorrow on for a resupply and the start of the PA rocks.