Date: Wed, 24 May 2000
Subject: AT Trail Update 5/24/00

Hi Everyone,

This is going to be short because the Library is closed and I actually have to PAY for this internet access (yikes!).

I'm taking an extra day (a "zero-day" in trail parlance) in Hot Springs, NC to rest my right leg.  It seems to be the latest part of my anatomy to be carping about the daily workload.  I may buy a kneebrace at the Outfitters and see if that helps.

The beginning of May was mostly sunny, but the last few days have been wetter.  I did, however, get nice views on this last stretch from Big Bald and the Rich Mountain fire tower.  I'm hoping things will clear up by the time I reach the next bald, called Max Patch.  And then I'll be entering the Smoky Mountains for a few days.  I expect the shelters there to be crowded with short term hikers, but I think I'm reaching the tail end of the Northbound thru-hiker crowd.

At this point I've hiked about one third (730 miles) of the A.T. in about 2 months time, so I'm about on track to complete the trail in my scheduled 6 months, provided the body is able (the spirit is still willing).  The Trail does seem to be getting a little more rugged as I head toward the Southern end, as many Northbounders had warned me.  I'm in better shape than when I first started out, but what that mostly means is that I still huff and puff going uphill, I just don't have to stop as often.

The mountain laurel has been blooming along sections of the trail, and I expect I'll see some of the rhododendron thickets in full bloom soon.

Well, I said this would be short.  (I'm a slow typer, and I'm cheap!)