I’m still at Uncle Johnny’s but I did what is called a slack pack day. The hostel shuttled 10 of us to a point 12 trail miles north of here. We walked back to the hostel carrying only snacks, water, and rain gear. Which, I might add, was needed.
I did the 12 miles in a bit less than four hours, including some stops to take pictures. Quite nice hiking with a five pound pack instead of a 35 pound pack. Tomorrow, those of us moving on will be shuttled up to where we started today to head north.
Fiddle heads in the rain.
Mushrooms in the rain.
Squaw root, not in the rain.
A stream I walked by, both in and out of the rain.
I met someone who is taking the concept of slack packing to a new level. He was injured in a car accident a few years ago so he can’t haul a large pack for very long. So he started at Springer Mountain with two cars. He left one at Springer and drove the second car to a road/trail junction a day hike north of Springer, parked, then walked back south to the car at Springer. Once he got there he drove the car at Springer to a point a day north of the other vehicle. Then he did a day hike back to that vehicle. Then he repeats the process. He has done about 350 miles, walking south, but moving north. He sometimes has to camp, but he can keep his pack weight real low. Doesn’t have to worry about resupply or lodging because he’s rarely more than a day hike from a vehicle. Not sure what he will do when he gets to Katadyhen. Maybe just abandon one vehicle. Pretty interesting way to do the whole trail when you can’t backpack.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 