Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis

Another great few days, with weather extremes influencing the hike. Eventually, Steve learned–yet again–the importance of hiking your own hike.

He has put in some fairly long days and found himself to be completely exhausted.

Eventually, a plan was hatched and he is now in a far better frame of mind.

A short few days and a cloudy Max Patch. Getting the mileage up to 14s and 15s but still feeling tired, either through lack of sleep, lack of food, or both.

Now in beautiful Hot Springs and enjoying the hospitality at Sunnybank Inn, or Elmer's. Life is still good.

This is the Smokies Part II episode. With five days the cover the mileage may seem unimpressive. However, within those five days, there are two "nearos" and a "zero."

This has been a pretty brutal few days with snow, bone-jarring cold, warmth, slush, and a seemingly endless climb down out of these iconic mountains.

In retrospect, I think that, while I'm glad they are over, the Smokies will stay in my mind long after the snow has melted and I'm pushing my way through Virginia.

It's Smokies Week on the show and plenty of uphills on the way to Clingmans Dome. I became part of, and lost, my first tramily, and loved my time with them.

I also met the very sweet Little Foot (follow her YouTube channel "Hike with Little Foot") and the enormously positive Posi (@MattBurnsFat on Facebook and Instagram).

I even hiked with Ryan Hopkins and his buddy Chris. Ryan is the man putting this show out every week. It was great to meet up with both of them.

Now, I'm alone again and getting out of the Smokies in a couple of days. Max Patch and Hot Springs are upcoming highlights.

Another few days with varying fortunes. The week started disastrously with the loss of a vital piece of equipment. The views continued to make the heart fly and the Smoky Mountain got closer and closer.

Along the way, the humanity of hikers was on full display, especially one night in a very full shelter (Picture thanks to Ashley "Boomer" Enders). These are the evenings to relish and the ones that will stick in my mind long after the hike is over.

Now, after my longest day, I'm set to tackle the Smokies from Sunday and hope to report back after I reach Newfound Gap. Bring 'em on.

Another three-day stint between stops in town took Steve from Franklin to Nantahala Outdoor Center. Before he even left Franklin, however, he started with one of the finest breakfasts that he has ever had. Listen to what he had.

Another view, this time with Rowemer in the foreground, was taken from about 5,000 feet elevation.

The rain has stayed away and an opportunity to catch a perfect sunrise came just north of Cold Spring Shelter. While the picture doesn't do justice to the moment, you can see how a dry day can paint such gorgeous pictures in the sky.

The trail has been testing this past four days. Steve left Dick's Creek Gap last Thursday morning and has now reached Franklin NC after three nights in the woods. 48 hours of rain and not enough food has been testing but he has managed to push through.

He is already learning how different his two journeys are going to be, with new challenges making him manage his clothing a little differently to last time.

He has met a few families along the trail and two of them share their stories this week.

It has been an emotional three days for Steve as he faced up to his first real adversity. He knew it would happen, he was even expecting it, yet his emotional reaction took even Steve by surprise. It just reinforced his belief that the Trail impacts us all in different and often unexpected ways.

He has now reached Dick's Creek Gap, at Mile 69.2, and has zeroed to reassess his pack and to restore his slightly bruised ego. He'll be back at it tomorrow (Thursday).

Now six days in, Steve is getting into something of a rhythm. His toes are hurting a little, though nothing too serious.

He is constantly on the lookout for individual stories but only includes one today because he lost touch with his next intended "victims" in the bad weather today.

With frigid weather in the forecast, he will be planning the next few days to carefully consider his options.

Steve is on his way and trying to adjust to his new lifestyle. So far, he has kept to the schedule he gave himself and finished day three in Suches.

It has brought back memories from his first thru-hike, with a bunch of new characters already emerging. He is listening to other people's stories and is starting to bring them to the show. There is also a magical moment when a young woman plays the violin at the top of a mountain as the mist and cloud swirl around her.

Don't forget to follow along twice a week as Steve podcasts from the trail.

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