2019 Summer Hike - Day 22- SOBO Slackpack CT4 to Bull Bridge Rd

Date: July 7
Total Miles Today: 18.8

Total Miles this Summer: 260.1
Total Trail Miles: 1060.5

Day 22..we are now tied for our longest section hike. Last time we were on the trail this long we hiked from the start of the trail,  Springer Mountain to Hot Springs, NC. 

Comparisons:

Springer to Hot Springs(May)

- No Zeros

-275 Miles

-Went through the Smokies

-Cool Weather Mostly

-Both had significant foot problems after 110 miles.

-Crazy Hiker Hunger

-I lost 10 pounds

Summer 2019(July)

-2 Zeros

-260 Miles

-Some difficult terrain, but not as hard as the Smokies

-5 Days of Rain, Many very hot days

-Advocado with foot issues, Onion doing fine

-Slight hiker hunger(we are eating healthier and I think it makes a huge difference)

-No scale available- Estimate I'm down 15 pounds or so. 

-More Hostel Stays than the Springer Hike

I particularly like to stay in a Hostel on Sat night, it makes it easier to get to church. This was an interesting little cabin.

Sleeps 4-5. We shared it with a couple  thru hikers. 

A sink, a fridge, a microwave, a toaster and a coffee maker. No bathroom, but it does have a super clean porta potty and an outdoor shower.  

Actual a very pleasant way to shower.

They have a couple air bnb listings as well as the hiker cabin. It's right on the river. 

We signed the hiker wall.

I won't claim to be an artist, but I think they are recognizable.

On Sat, I searched long and hard for a church in the area that holds to the authority of Scripture.  I was about to revert to "Field trip to a mainline denomination that use to believe God's word but is reduced to vague moralisnlm" when we found a Lutheran Missouri Synod church.  I don't know much about Lutheran groups, but it is my understanding that Missouri Synod are more solid than the mainline Lutherans.

  We enjoyed the service, it was refreshing to have scripture incorporated into the service instead of just vague moralism. I could point out all the areas where I disagree with them, but, on the fundamentals...we share a common faith and Savior, so it was a great Sunday 

We hit the trail a bit before noon and we were moving fast. Without heavy packs to slow us down, we did a quick climb, descent and we're practically jogging along the river.

Still flat.. still fast.

Edible or poisonous. I say poison...Sage isn't eating them, but wants to know what they are.

Even on the flat sections, we take an occasional break.

Connecticut water is yummy. Much better than NY and NJ

We started passing NOBO hikers we know. Managed to convince one of them momentarily he was going the wrong way...lol. SOBO and slackpacking...we're doing it all wrong today. And having a great time.

No time for a swim today, but temps were cooler so we didn't really need it 

And then the flat part ended. 

And we had to climb the rocks.

We have seen lots of snakes. We like the ones that don't have rattly tails.

More climbing.

The overlook at the top of the climb.

Sun is getting low...not sure if we will make it before dark.

Long shadows..racing the sunset.

Another Snake

Sage volunteered to take the day pack as I started to slow down. Yay! Now we are both slowing down.

The top of the last climb?

No, it was a false summit...more climbing before our final descent to the road.

30 min till sunset. Let's take a break. Better to descend in the dark than get hurt because we are tired. 

We had to walk back to the hostel in the dark...but we made it. 18.8 miles in less than 9 hours. Counting the road walk...a 20 mile day. Not bad for starting late. 

Exhausted, we showered and collapsed in our beds. A great day of hiking. Lower temps and leaving our gear at the hostel allowed us to knock out a long section of CT quickly. And Advocado was feeling great, no foot pain and lots of energy.