Date: 2023-03-08
From: Erwin, Tennessee 

To: Hampton, Tennessee
Miles today: 94.2

¢Up, up and away¢ The 5th Dimension - 1967On Monday, February 27, I walked out of Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel in Erwin, Tennessee. I had to leave behind my newfound friend NoDak. I had previously worked it out with Steve from Unicoi Shuttle¢s for him to help me slack pack to Indian grave gap. So that allowed me to walk 8 miles without my heavy pack. But before I started my hike, Steve took me to the hospital in Erwin and I was able to have a really good breakfast at the hospital cafeteria at a really good price. After I received my pack from Steve at Indian Grave Gap, I continued on to Cherry Gap Shelter. I hiked a total of 17.3 miles that day and saw 5100 feet of elevation gain. It was getting dark when I arrived at the shelter and it had been raining. There was already a section hiker there by the name of Steppenwolf. I was pleased to not be alone that night although Steppenwolf slept in his Hammock away from the shelter.The next morning, I hiked to Hughes gap. There was no shelter there, and I pitched my tent along a forest service road adjacent to the asphalt road that runs through Hughes Gap. Steppenwolf had indicated that he was going to stop at the same location, but he never showed up. The hike from Cherry Gap Shelter to Hughes gap was 10.1 miles, and was almost 3200 feet in elevation gain.On Wednesday, March 1, I hiked from Hughes Gap to Stan Murray Shelter. This day took me across Roan Mountain, Round Bald, and Jane Bald. The weather was pretty overcast that day and visibility was not good on Roan Mountain. It was interesting to visit the site of the old Cloudland Hotel, but I could not see very far because of visibility. By the time I got to Round Bald and Jane Bald, visibility had improved a great deal, and it was very beautiful. On this day, I hiked 12.7 miles and saw almost 2600 feet of elevation gain. And I was able to meet back up with Steppenwolf at Stan Murray shelter.On Thursday, March 2, I hiked from Stan Murray, shelter to the Refuge Hostel. Shortly after leaving the shelter, I came across the famous overland shelter, which is a big red barn. It used to be used as a shelter for Appalachian Trail hikers, but has been condemned and is slated to be torn down. It is a shame to know that a piece of history is going to be demolished. I crossed some very beautiful country that day, but again, visibility was very poor. I went across Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain. They were very large bald mountains. I know they would have had fantastic views, but the weather would not permit me to see very much that day. I arrived at the Refuge Hostel after having hiked 12.8 miles with just over 2500 feet of elevation gain. I ended up staying two nights at the Refuge Hostel because it was so comfortable and affordable. The owners of this hostel, Robert and April, run it out of the basement of their home. Their home is .4 miles off the trail. They are very hiker oriented.The next day, Robert took me to Walnut Mountain Road and let me slack pack 8.9 miles back to his hostel. There was about 1800 feet of elevation gain in that trek. On this particular day, I saw some pretty waterfalls and crossed the North Carolina State line for the last time on this trip.On Saturday, March 4, Robert returned me to the same location on Walnut Mountain Road. I hiked 14.4 miles to Black Bear Resort and saw 2600 feet in elevation gain.On Sunday, March 5 I hiked from Black Bear Resort to Boots Off Hostel in Hampton Tennessee. I know it sounds like I am doing a lot of hostels, which I am; but I am thankful to be able to experience some of these hostels and meet the people around them, as well as all of the hikers. To me, it is all a part of the experience. I have really enjoyed my time at Boots Off Hostel. The hostess this year is a lady by the name of Pringles. She is a through hiker from 2019. She is very friendly and helpful and makes this place a pleasant place to be. And she was also able to fill me in on other hikers I have seen previously such as Topo and Ranger, who are both way ahead of me now. I have also run into Prepper, who I had met at Uncle Johnny¢s.