Lynn and I have a lot to do today. It's moving day. The drive to the trail is getting further each day so we have to find someplace closer. I also have to try to catch the 6.5 mile piece that I missed yesterday because of the downpour.
After packing up and a long drive to the trailhead, I hit the trail at 8:00 am. Since I was trying to knock out this 6.5 mile section as quick as possible, I just grabbed a water bottle and my camera.
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Crossing Lick Creek
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Next I climbed up Lynn Camp Mountain. I think Lynn should climb this mountain don't you?
Since I was traveling south today, I figured I would see Rock Man who I passed yesterday.
This time I got his picture.
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Three miles to go
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Across another bridge.
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And another bridge
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I met several hikers. One named Willie who has been hiking the AT in real small pieces for 12 years. I also met a couple section hikers. They immediately identified me as a day hiker. Having no pack is a dead give away. I made my way to the top of the next mountain where I found Knot Mole Shelter.
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I met a thru hiker named missionary Mike.
We talked about his journey so far.
Knowing that most thru hikers drop out the first couple of weeks I asked, "Have you seen the amount of hikers on the trail dwindle?"
"I sure have," he responded. "When I started there would be 30 to 40 people around a shelter at night. Now there are 4 or 5."
I wished him well and continued on my way.
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Last year I thought I found the slowest thru hiker when I found a turtle on the trail.
This year I found an even slower thru hiker.
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Up and over another mountain
After meeting Lynn on Route 42, we drove to the next trailhead to hike the section I was supposed to hike today.
