Kevin's AT Thru Hike

Day 74, Sunday, 5/29 – Half Time and I were awake at 4:00am and started our hike by 4:30am. We planned on hiking a really big day today, so wanted to get an early start.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and the weather is perfect, so the National Park is packed. The trail is more crowded now than it has been the entire time I’ve been out here. There are a lot of weekend backpackers on trail too.

I was about 23 miles into the hike today, and I really started dragging. It was 2:30 when Half Time and I stopped at a wayside for a late lunch and some blackberry ice cream.

Here I am 30 miles into the hike.

We ended up hiking 35 miles to Compton Peak (mile 965). This is certainly the farthest that I’ve ever traveled by foot in a single day. This is also my limit. The last couple miles were real tough to finish. I got into camp, set up my hammock, ate a few snacks, and laid down for bed. I had to take a few ibuprofen before bed because my feet had a dull ache that made me restless.