FIve Questions With Uncle Johnny

Back in March, I had the opportunity to sit down, and have a conversation with Uncle Johnny about his hostel right off the Appalachian Trail near Erwin, Tennessee.  I stayed at his hostel back in the early days when I used to attend the National Storytelling Festival, and I remember a time when he had plenty of room to pitch a tent on the lawn.  That lawn is now covered with cabins, as he has expanded his operations significantly.  I am happy for his prosperity.

I thought it would be great to get him on video, talking about the past, and his interaction with hikers.  Say what you want about Uncle Johnny and his strong personality, but he is an icon of the trail, and many hikers have been grateful for his services.  I know I have.

Well... here's the video, "Five Questions With Uncle Johnny."  Enjoy!

Out of the Rain! Into Uncle Johnny's Hostel!

Found Hiking in Mist

As I write this post, it is raining cats and dogs outside. Right now, the southeast is just a big wet, muddy mess. The skies have been gray for 5 out of the last 6 days, and everything is just plain damp. This the the cold, wet AT that I signed up for!

When I started out on this hike, I was stunned by the nice, sun-filled skies. Temperatures were in the 60's and 70's, and I remember thinking to myself, hmmmmmm... it seems like the weather should be really crappy at this time of year. Well, it's now really, really crappy.

On top of Big Firescald Knob

Nonetheless, I had one really nice day between Hot Springs and Erwin, and I took advantage of it - I took a lot of pictures, and hiked a 20-mile day.  In spite of shifting rocks under foot, Big Firescald Knob had great views of the low country (and perhaps Knoxville) to the east and the Blue Ridge to the west.  It was an awesome day to be outside!

I have been hiking with Found (PCT 2006, CDT 2010) since Georgia, and I really enjoy his company.  What's interesting about our hiking relationship is that we are both interviewing for the same job with the Pacific Crest Trail Association.  How crazy is that?  One thing that I have discovered on these long distance trails is that it is a small world.  I have run into many hikers that I know (or hikers that I've heard of) on the trail over the years, so may be it's not so surprising.  While we may be competitors for the same job, we are companions out here on the trail.  I like that.

There was no view down to the Nolichucky River

I have only 50-miles to go before I am finished with this odyssey on the trail.  This next section of trail includes Big Hump and Little Hump, and Roan Mountain, which I remember being very scenic.  However, it looks like the weather will continue to rain over the next few days, so I am not guaranteed any sweeping views.  I will be getting off at Elk Park on Sunday, where I will meet up with my friend and 2009 CDT hiking companion, Patch.  I look forward to our meeting.

I am happy to be out on the trail, and I will check back in soon!

Hit and Miss Ready to Finish the AT

First AT southbounders, Hit and Miss on top of Max Patch

While out on a 70-mile section hike on the Appalachian Trail, I ran into Hit and Miss, a young couple from New York, on top of clear and scenic Max Patch. Both of them had identical, ultralight backpacks that I had never seen before - Miss stitched them together - and I had no idea that they were southbounders on the AT, since I thought September 14th was too early to see southbounders.  However, after some questioning, they told me that they are the front of the pack, and that they were planning to finish in ten days. Cool!

I asked them if there was anyone behind them (I figured that someone has to be chasing the leader!), but they told me that they were unaware of anyone right behind them.  They told me that they would welcome other hikers to join them for the march to Springer Mountain to have some different company.

Band of brothers from Virginia, Toothpick and Thrillbilly

About 6-hours later I ran into the chasers at Walnut Mountain Shelter: Toothpick and Thrillbilly.  The two are brothers from Virginia, and they started their AT hike three weeks after Hit and Miss started their hike from Mt. Katahdin on May 27th - to say that they are hustling to catch them is an understatement!  I told Toothpick and Thrillbilly that they were about a half day behind Hit and Miss, and that they had planned on camping near Davenport Gap that night.  Also told them that they planned on arriving to Fontana Dam on Friday the 17th, and Toothpick's eyes lit up.  He and Thrillbilly had the same plans to arrive in Fontana by Friday.

I wonder if Toothpick and Thrillbilly caught up with them.  I wonder if Hit and Miss really don't mind the company for the last 7-days of their journey.  I wonder if there really will be a genuine race to the top of Springer.  Hmmmm... I can't wait to hear how it unfolds.  Good luck to you Hit and Miss, and Toothpick and Thrillbilly.  Enjoy the rest of the trail, and congratulations on completing the Appalachian Trail!