AYCE

Back from dinner and I'm feeling full. AYCE (All you can eat) is a happy hiker term. I've gone through a range of emotions. Sunday was a great day, rainy but beautiful, and the 8.8 mile hike to Springer (mile 0 on the AT) hurt in a good way. I hiked into Hawk Mountain that night. The following day, I made it to Woody Gap (19.9 miles of on the trail) Then on Tuesday I stayed at Neels Gap at 30.5 miles, where Lisa noted that I should have stayed at the hostel. In fact, I ran down the hill to the hostel when I became quite concerned about hypothermia, due to my wet sleeping bag (horizontal, biblical rain and wind) and the vicious lightning. I slept about two hours that night. I was hiking with Sam and Galen then, the Mennonite fellows that Lisa mentioned. Great guys! Sam is in for the long haul while Galen has to get back to the farm in Ohio to plant the season's corn. They're both in their mid-20's. I pushed ahead of the two of them on Wednesday and started hiking with Castaway, who's from Richmond, Virginia and is a carpenter. He's an ultra-marathoner and a great guy. We play tag on the trail, as my "sprinter" mentality means that I run out ahead and then take a long break, at which point he catches up and passes me. We've had the same goals for the last few days and frankly, I think he's shocked that I've kept up with him! I've been putting in a few 15 milers. On Thursday I stayed at Tray Mountain, which was COLD, and tonight I'm in the hotel, which is WARM! As I mentioned before, it looks dangerous in the mountains for the next two days. I can definitely "handle it", but it would be extremely uncomfortable. I've got a 20 degree bag which is probably good for 30 in reality and a 15 degreee insert which is probably good for 10. Add on to a 5 degree difference in the tent and I can do about 15, which is near record low around here. However, I think the reality is that if it'll be cold here, it'll be freezing on the hills. I've met many other people, some for a minute, some for a day, and it's been extremely interesting. I'm struggling with hygiene, and my skin is breaking out and I've got some minor sun exposure on my wrist (sorry Nurit!). I've been keeping generally good cover from the sun, but I missed that spot.

I've rambled on long enough. Thanks to everyone who has posted comments! I'm ready to start Sunday to make the push across the Georgia state line (I don't think Boss Hog and Roscoe can follow me after that) and should be in North Carolina by Sunday night. If all goes well, I'll be at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) on Wednesday night.

Oh, and on a gear note, my UV based Steripen is useless. A complete piece of junk. I'm filtering my water, then using chemicals (aqua mira or iodine) to have _very_ pure water, I hope. The Steripen eats batteries and doesn't work in cold weather. It's been my worst purchase so far. And yet, I was so excited about it!

Off to a long slumber and a relaxing day, followed by some hard hiking.

-Matt