Miles to Finish: 1837.4 miles
Leaving Hot Springs was incredibly hard due to the comforts of the Sunnybank Inn, so we decided to only walk a mile on and camp next to the river with a few Coronas to help us acclimatise to the wilderness again.
Waking up with a slight hangover and having to walk 20 miles in the seering heat was quite simply excruciating. We bumped into Sean and the 4 month old puppy, Carter, at one of the gaps. He told us of a wildlife phenomenon, whereby the Cicada's that lie dormant in the soil, hatch every 17 years, the noise was industrial in volume, but amazing to witness. Sean also informed us of some local herbs to make tea with, leaves to chew on and wild onions and berries to feast on at lunch.
Above: The view from where we camped (on the trail) after leaving Hot Springs
Below: The aerial view of Hot Springs
Above: Toad of Toad Hall, from Wind in the Willows.
Above: Max Patch, one of the few open areas on the trail so far
Waking up and having to walk 20 miles in the seering heat whilst sweating out the Coronas was excrutiating and with the water sources a little devoid, several bouts of chronic dehydration followed. Our first real night-hike happened that evening.
Though just before we embarked 1000 feet up a mountain there was a little hostel a half mile off the trail, selling bottles of soft drinks, in a fridge too. To top it off they had taps to fill up our Camelbaks, rather than having to spend 10 minutes pumping the water through the filter, we simply filled up from the taps. Cheered us up no end after a hard day. Never drinking beers again if we have to hike again the next day.
Yet the final 3 miles night hiking was still to come, weary and scared, we scrambled up the mountain to the next shelter. This was due to the encounter with the Rattlesnake earlier that day meaning each little russle of leaves, which were a plenty due to the high winds, and countless sticks and twigs on the path, resembled the many brothers and sisters of that very rattler.
Tom was informed earlier that day that North Carolina has the highest rate of Snakebite compared to anywhere in the US. At this time of year, Snakes are nocturnal too, which help you empathise with our big girls blouses.
Above is one of the delights we sampled in Erwin after a few hot days on the trail. Down at the lower altitudes of the trail, out in the open, temperatures were reaching 36 degrees. Ideal hiking weather.
Though it was brought to a premature end when a local joker by the water shouted that a water snake (mochason) that was highly venemous was headed straight at us so we duly bolted as fast as we could over a rocky riverbed, which was painfully slow, only to find out he was joking.
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