Update: August 11-23

    Today is August 23 and I am in the Standing Bear Hostel which

  is located just north of Hwy 40 and just north of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

     I was off the trail between the dates of Aug 12-20 while making a family related visit. I came off at MM 1879.8 on the 12th and today I am at MM 1949.5. I had to hike 20 miles yesterday to make it to this hostel. The forecast was for rain and I did not want to enter the national park soaking wet. 

 

     The rain came and as a result I will today be helped by Blaine Anderson to make a new plan. If all works out I will be taken to the Newfound Gap tomorrow. I will then hike north back to where I am now. I will then catch a ride back to Newfound Gap and

resume hiking south. This will make the hiking easier for at least 2 days as I will have more downhill than up.

 

     While off the AT with Blaine, I also hope to get a fresh status report from the Park Service regarding which shelters are closed due to bear activity. When hiking through the park, AT hikers are only permitted to camp at shelters. So if 2 or more consecutive shelters are closed one could be staring at having to hike 25 mi or more to camp. So having an up to date report is helpful.

 

     My hike yesterday included Max Patch and I must say it afforded one of the most beautiful views I have seen thus far. Will definitely return there with Renee.

 

    Two days ago I stopped along the way to watch the eclipse using the glasses  

   I bought at Hot Springs. It was not total but the temperature sure did go down by maybe 10 degrees and helped make the rest of the afternoon easier. The heat and humidity have definitely been a big factor lately. 

 

     Thanks for your prayer support for me and for remembering our S Sudanese brethren as well. 

Uncle