Day 12- Nantahala Outdoor Center to Sassafras Gap Shelter

May 17th
Total Miles Hiked: 144
Total Miles Today: 6.9
Pairs of  Shoes tried on: 6
Pairs of shoes purchased: 1

   Today we resisted the urge to take a zero,  even though the weather forecast was for rain most of the day. We got picked up from our 2 bedroom house from the 70s, aka Camper Cabin and dropped off in town. It was raining the whole time.

    We went straight to the NOC Outfitter to find some shoe inserts for my shoes, and potentially shoes for Sage. When we removed our hiking boots, it was clear my Dr. Sholes inserts were toast, they started falling apart at about 100 trail miles.  As for Sage, one of her boots had a very worm out factory insert, and the other was completely missing. Not good. It is amazing her feet have survived this far. I asked the Salesman about the "Superfeet" inserts they sell for $50, and he told me that if the current inserts were working well, I might actually cause problems with the expensive inserts. I appreciated his honesty, he was more concerned with my hike than making a sale. He ended up fixing my Merrills with some inserts removed from some other returned shoes they had in the back and didn't even charge for it.

    Sage was a bit more challenging.  She tried on at least 6 pair of shoes, probably more. The salesman was very patient,  and we finally settled on a pair of Merrill Moab Ventilators,  just like mine only smaller. We also found out that as AT Hikers, Merrill gives a discount.  I can't say enough positive about Nantahala Outfitters, we walked out the door with our feet ready for another 130 miles, and the salesman was very patient and knowledgeable.  We even got a great price.

Near the register I noticed Vegan Jerky. Is that made from vegans? Not sure how I feel about that, I guess it depends on how the vegan population is doing. 

With our freshly improved feet, we walked 50 yards to the restaurant and ordered burgers and fries for lunch.  The best burgers ever.  Try it some time. Hike 130 miles to NOC and order one...you will surely agree. We have also enjoyed the best ramen ever on the trail.

And then the party was over. At noon, we started 6 miles of climbing from the valley back up into the mountains. 

We climbed from  1726 ft to 4700 ft, and then dropped back down a bit  for the last mile to the shelter.  We rolled into the shelter around 1715. Our original plan was to press on, but Sage was ready to call it a day, and I wasn't about to argue.  We are right on schedule for our goal, and an easy day today coupled with a short day the day we arrive at Fontana Dam will help to ensure we are ready to tackle the Smokies. 

   

It has been odd though, I am not use to getting to camp over 3 hours before sunset.  It certainly allows for a leisurely dinner. Oddly enough,  this will be my 3rd night in a row not in a hammock.  Sage wants to sleep in the shelter, and with rain in the forecast,  I'm happy to keep the tarps dry.

We hope to break camp quickly tomorrow as we have a 15 mile day to knock out.

    The guy at the NOC Outfitter taught me to adjust my laces base on the swelling in my fee t. My right foot felt great all day as a result.