Date: 2015-03-31
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Master Yoda for Scout and Tumbles:We have enjoyed having Scout and Tumbles home for a few days. Tumbles has had knee problems in the past, so we have encouraged her to take it easy. We picked up some better supporting braces for her knees. Over the weekend tragedy struck in the form of our wonderful K9 friends. Both Scout and Tumbles set up their Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tents to apply more waterproofing. The Dogs decided to tear both tents up. Scouts tent was completely eaten on a corner and Tumbles has holes all over hers. This was very upsetting. Their mother was able to sew Scout's tent back up, with reinforcing. On Tumbles tent, Tumbles and Scout managed to patch many of the holes. It will be serviceable enough for the Trail. Scout was planning on swapping over to the Lunar Duo anyway. He wants more room, but that comes with more weight. His Solo will be a backup tent. Fontana resupply box is packed and I will drop it off after I drop them at the NOC. A few points I would like to make, at the behest of Scout and Tumbles (Does not need to be said, but for those that feel they need explanations):1. A Thru Hiker is a person that completes the Trail in a Calendar Year. It is normal for a hiker to take time off from hiking to resupply, heal up, etc. Hiking Smart is really what it amounts too. Look at some of the Hikers that started back in January. When they felt like getting off the Trail for a few days due to Weather, they did. Many folks will hole up in a Hostel, Hotel, or something like that when bad weather comes. Some people live close enough to the Trail, they can just head home for a Zero. When the Spring storm hit the Mountains Friday, many Hikers took Zero days. The rain, snow and ice is not fun to contend with, if you don't have too. Scout and Tumbles assessed their situation Friday and opted to come home to recoup. No, they where not Freezing to death, there was no medical emergency, and they could have stayed on the Trail; but they did not.2. Gear: More than once we have heard it suggested that they do not have adequate/ quality gear. Scout and Tumbles are carrying good, quality gear, they did not pick it up at the Wal Mart (Not knocking folks that use Wal Mart gear). Sadly, they have not provided a thorough list of what they are using. If you do look at what they did list, mainly just the Big Three, they both spent between $600 to $700 on some good gear. Just because it is light weight does not mean it is inadequate, on the same token, just because it is the best gear money can buy does not mean someone knows how to use it. That brings me to the next point.3. Experience: Tumbles does not have as much experience as Scout, but I promise you, someone would need to look hard in a crowd of teen girls to find one that has as much experience, training or skill as Tumbles. How many 16 year old girls do you know that would attempt the AT? Yes they are out there, but far in between. How about Scout? Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, National Camp School, need I say much more? Also, both have Wilderness First Responder training. Are there more things for them to learn? You bet. We all have plenty we can learn in life.Surely people mean well, and are trying to be helpful. Thank you for that. Hope this helps clear up any doubts some folks may have concerning Scout and Tumbles, and this epic adventure they are on. For the folks that want to offer advice about backpacking or outdoor adventuring, thank you. Also, Please keep in mind, at this point, they need words of encouragement, not nay-saying. (Also, if you have never even tried backpacking, maybe keep your advice to yourself, or better yet try Backpacking using your own advice;0) To all our Trail Journal followers, thank you for being positive and supportive.That being said, Scout and Tumbles head back to the Trail refreshed and ready for the Smokies in the morning!