It was much cooler today. Bo and I cranked out 8 miles before lunchtime. On the hike, we met another guy with an aggressive pitbull. He had to pull the dog way off trail as we passed, and interestingly, the guy was smoking cigarettes… which would prove to be even more interesting as the day progressed.

After passing the guy, I realized Bo lost one of his booties and was very grateful that the guy had picked it up for me so I didn’t have to walk all the way back.

I got to the NC border and only saw the sign because “Uno” and “Leapfrog” were there taking a break. Bo and I walked to the piped spring and had some lunch before tackling Sharp Top. NC welcomed us to the state with a crazy steep climb straight up and over the mtn without any switchbacks. And to top it all off, the wind gusts were strong enough to make me nearly topple over and struggle to put one foot in front of the other. A few people in Bly Gap, which is just before Sharp Top, tried to pitch their tents there…they didnt stay long with the wind.

After Sharp Top, we passed another Sassafras Gap and walked through tunnels of rhododendron–they now have buds, and I hope I’ll get to see them when the flower! I have been seeing fewer people on the trail, I suppose it’s because we are out of Georiga, and people have either found different paces, and have spread out, or some have had to go home.

At the shelter, I met “Uno,” “Leapfrog,” “Magnum,” and Katie (who is now “Widget”). We seem to have the same plan going forward in terms of camp sites (Carter Gap, Rock Gap, a few miles the next day, then stay in Franklin, NC). Bo was more tired today due to the steep climbs and kept laying down whenever I stopped walking for a bit. We also got some trail magic. Someone left drinks at the base of a climb in the parking lot!

In other news, when “Widget” got the shelter, she shared that she walked through a wildfire. Another guy, Justin (who has the same hat as me and we wonder how anyone will tell us a part) shared that he also had to walk through the fire because it was on both sides of the trail when he came through. The fire was around Bly Gap, just past the NC border. It must have started around 1400 because Bo and I came through around noon and didn’t see anything. “Widget” called in the fire, and apparently, it was about 5 acres. We later got a text that the section of trail we were in was closed, but we were all set up and saw no immediate threat, so we stayed the night. We speculated who or what might have caused the fire for a while that night and came up with 2 solid possible options. Also, “Uno” saw a huge copperhead next to the trail by a log, and I’m just glad Bo nor I came into contact with it!

Day: 11

Date: 4/15/2025

Miles: 11.6

Camp: Muskrat Creek Shelter

At Mile: 81.2