I spent about six days on the Pinhoti Trail: 2 days between North Dugger Mountain Shelter and Maxwell gap, and 4 days between Cheaha State Park and the Pine Glen Recreation Area (campground). I wore North Face Ultra Fastpack shoes. The shoes gave me good traction on the narrow foot path winding along the side of hills / mountains. They do not breathe as well as my Montrail shoes did. The North Face shoes have a Vibram Lug sole under a layer of softer shock absorbing material. They seem easier on the soles of my feet than Merrell Moab Ventilators. I am hoping they are more durable than my Montrail shoes. I will know after 300 miles (about 250 to go).
I hiked with the trail angel who helped me in PA, NY, and CT. Our last day was the longest. We yellow blazed at least 7 of the 39 miles between Cheaha State Park and the Pine Glen Recreation Area. I stopped at an overlook to make ramen and hot chocolate.
This is the first time I was unable to rock hop across water where there was no bridge. I forded two small creeks. For the first one, I took off my shoes and socks and walked across barefoot. For the second, I removed socks and insoles, and crossed with shoes on. After crossing, I drained the shoes, and walked 2.5 miles with one pair of socks but no insoles in the shoes. The skin on my toes absorbed water and I lost part of a callous under the big toe, but I did not get blisters.
I cowboy camped beside a fire ring on Saturday, another first for me. I awoke to the sound of what I thought might be light rain, so I pulled my silnylon tarp over my sleeping bag.
I hiked with the trail angel who helped me in PA, NY, and CT. Our last day was the longest. We yellow blazed at least 7 of the 39 miles between Cheaha State Park and the Pine Glen Recreation Area. I stopped at an overlook to make ramen and hot chocolate.
This is the first time I was unable to rock hop across water where there was no bridge. I forded two small creeks. For the first one, I took off my shoes and socks and walked across barefoot. For the second, I removed socks and insoles, and crossed with shoes on. After crossing, I drained the shoes, and walked 2.5 miles with one pair of socks but no insoles in the shoes. The skin on my toes absorbed water and I lost part of a callous under the big toe, but I did not get blisters.
I cowboy camped beside a fire ring on Saturday, another first for me. I awoke to the sound of what I thought might be light rain, so I pulled my silnylon tarp over my sleeping bag.
I am human and I need to be loved - just like everybody else does