Kevin's AT Thru Hike

Day 107, Friday, 7/1 – I woke up around 9:00am and was the first one up. I decided to hike out today even though everyone else was taking another zero. I’m meeting up with one of my best buds in Connecticut, so it makes sense for me to get a head start out of New York City.

It was a leisurely morning. It’s hard to be motivated to hike when everyone else is kicking back. But it was somewhat productive anyway. Broadway repaired my fanny pack, which was impressive given its condition. I wish I would have taken a before picture, because it was in rough shape.

Broadway and Half Time dropped me off at trail at 2:00pm today. I hadn’t even left the parking lot when I ran into trail magic. I was happy to see 100 Grand there! I haven’t seen him since Waynesboro VA. I hung out at chatted for 30 minutes or so, and ate a burger and some watermelon. I would have hung out longer, but I was feeling antsy to hike after 3 consecutive zeros.

It was hot and there were steep climbs, but I felt great hiking. All the time off and a new pair of shoes made a huge difference. Halfway through the hike, I ran into a deli. I got an Italian sub and a chocolate milk which ended up being my dinner.

There was a cool bit of history along the trail. I hiked past stone foundation walls and a plaque that explained that I was at a small pox inoculation site built in 1776 for the Continental Army.

It was a short day of hiking when I stopped for the night. I hiked 13 total miles today, and I was mentally done hiking by the time I set up camp. I was miserably hot, and the bugs were awful. Even after the sun set I was sweating profusely.

I am hammock camping by myself at a stealth spot near South Highland Road (mile 1419). I got in the hammock at 9:00pm, and was still sweating, so it took me a while to fall asleep.