Date: 2010-03-07
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 36.8
Weather: clear sky

It's Alicia again on behalf of Justin. Please not the mileage is not completely accurate just an 'about' number. I spoke with him last night, Saturday, March 6th on his 8th day. He had gone into Hiawasee to resupply for the day. Hitchhiked in and out, for the fist time, as the town was a good 11 miles away. He had been hiking with a few different people who were really cool and was able to hang out in their room (they were spending the night) to get a proper shower, clean his clothes and repack. To give a brief update since we had last heard from him: Wednesday he made it another shorter day having just getting back onto the trail doing about 6 miles. Thursday he did about 11.5 miles. The shelter that he had gotten to was pretty full which he wasn't expecting, so he had to clear a little spot right behind it where there wasn't too much snow and camped there- it was better to sleep on the frozen ground then the snow! Friday was his earliest start at about 8:15 and hiked until 5:30/6:00 doing about 15 miles. Yesterday was another short day since he had to go into town and it took awhile so he only did about 5 miles; he got into town later than originally planned on. Since he didn't get back onto the trail until later- I think it was around 4:30 when he got dropped of- he decided to head for a camp ground with a water supply instead of a shelter which was a few miles more up the trail. He called me again when he was going to sleep and told me that there were a few other people camped around him who he sat around a camp fire with. He is doing fantastic- his exact words- and sounds so happy. He does have a blister on his big toe and from sleeping on the hard ground his left shoulder has been bothering him, but other than that is doing good. It has been nice out, but they are calling for rain all next week- let's hope that's not the case!Today, Sunday March 7th, is suppose to be a nice day and he will be crossing his first state line which he is excited about- going into North Carolina. After resupplying with food his pack is on the heavier side, but after he eats it will go down again. He told me how you can tell the difference when you take something out of your pack- for example to make a sandwhich. Even though its little weight it still makes a difference. Water is the heaviest to carry, but he is getting better at planning. He drinks a lot in the morning and plans appropriately so that he will be able to resupply by the end of the day. One of the reasons he prefers shelters over the camp grounds, is that there is a water supply right there so it is easier. He has gotten a trail name, but I can't remember the exact name! It has something to do with his chair- which he had a feeling it would. It's something like "camp chair" but I'll be sure to get the exact name the next time I hear from him. Everyone always gives him a hard time about carrying it until it's time to get more water and they're leaning over while Justin just sits on his chair! He is planning on doing 2 big days and then making a stop before Franklin to re-supply where it's only 1 miles off the trail whereas Franklin is further. However, if he can't do it in 2 days he will go into Franklin.