day seven (march 28)

sorry for missing a day.  somebody didn't send pictures or any rivoting information deemed blog-worthy - LOL!   from an outsider's perspective, here is what i am gathering.... this trail has earned a new level of respect from the big boys.  they finally made the decision that weds. they would take what is called a 'zero day'.  a day off.  zero meaning no miles crossed off.  their bodies pretty much demanded a break.  they've gone 53 miles in seven days and it's been all up and down mountains. greg said you climb about what would be equivalent to a flight of stairs, with 30 lbs. on your back, and then you stop for a minute to catch your breath.  then you repeat over and over again.  and you add to it that they're 60 and not in peak condition and you get old guys who are sore and tired... but determined 😋.  going down then takes a toll on your feet, knees, and hips. and many of the rocks are loose and you stumble repeatedly.  and then you get to sleep on the ground!  and you might be lucky enough to have been rained on all day!  you get the picture. they ended up in a little town at a holiday inn and ate a meal even though they could hardly stand the smell of themselves. greg said they definitely had a food buzz because they were giddy and goofy and didn't even care about how badly they smelled.

tomorrow, they hit the trail again feeling a little better than before.  they leave unicoi gap and go uphill 1,000 feet, downhill 1,000, then up another 1,500 feet where they will sleep on top.  i asked if there are several people along the way as the pictures seem to indicate, and he implied definitely yes. most of the people that left the same day they did, they've never seen again; but an average of 30 people are leaving springer mountain every day this time of year with most seeking to accomplish a life goal of thru hiking the AT --  all hoping to get to maine before october 15 when the mountain closes for the winter.

they anxiously await getting into the smokeys where small, rolling bumps will be commonplace.  the part they are in now is separating the men from the boys.  getting into north carolina and tennessee will feel like a walk in the park.  well, maybe not a park, but you get the idea.

p.s.  the little building in the fourth picture is the potty 😏