In my last update I mentioned I was going to slack pack 9 miles into Erwin and then stay in a hostel. Well the slack packing experience was great. The 9 miles took 3 hours. Uncle Johnny's Hostel is located only 60 yards from the AT and it was convenient.

 

     A couple from St. Augustine, FL bought steaks, corn, potatoes and other food and fed all of us staying there. Sweet! I was able also to utilize their internet and do some blogs. Best hostel experience I have had.

 

     I left Erwin MM 1847.1 early Tues a.m. and hiked to the  

  Bald Mtn Shelter MM 1863.9. A very beautiful area. The shelter is located right at 5,000 ft. This morning I left there bound for the Flint Mtn Shelter but opted to get off at MM 1879.8 because of the rain. It started at 2:00 just after I left the Hogback Ridge Shelter where I ate lunch and got water. I arrived at rhe Laurel Hostel around  5:00. It is located only 150 yards off the AT.

 

   The owner is a nice guy and made me a pizza and washed and dried my clothes. I am his only customer. Being a Baptist preacher and a Southern boy is helping me a lot in northern VA, TN and NC. Got me Nada in CT!

 

    It is now 8:17 p.m. and still raining. The forecast is for rain all day tomorrow. So will have to make a call in the a.m. as to whether to plow in in the rain or take a zero day. Up ahead is a section called Firescald at the Bearwallow Gap and I am told it is very tough and might be very had to do in the rain. Hence my waffling regarding taking off in a rain storm.

Uncle