Appalachian Trail: Ruins to Damascus

It’s only a short hike into Damascus for Trail Days and the end of my one-month quest, one well worth the effort.
Appalachian Trail: Nick Grindstaff Memorial to Ruins above Damascus

The “Tennessee Thruway” is an easy rollercoaster on a ridge with several trail magicians with food to share.
Appalachian Trail: Riff Raff to Nick Grindstaff Memorial

The night at Riff Raff is such a loud nightmare, I opt to hike out in rain with limited views just to have a camping spot in the woods.
Appalachian Trail: view above Hampton to Riff Raff Pre Daze Camp

It’s a short day to the Riff Raff pre Trail Days magic of food, beer, camping, slack-packing ad general mayhem.
Appalachian Trail: Apple House to view above Hampton, TN

The trail is mostly in forest past stunning cascades where a friend from last year’s trail brings us food.
Appalachian Trail: Little Rock Knob to Apple House

On likely the most exceptional section of the Southern AT over high, exposed balds, I get perfect sparkly weather.
Appalachian Trail: Curley Maple Gap to Little Rock Knob

It’s an extraordinary day from the “Beauty Spot” to fairy forest Unaka and finally sunset from a knob.
Appalachian Trail: Whistling Gap to Curley Maple

A well-placed hostel with some resupply offers a taste of “trail life” as I walk all day, but fit in charging and eating in between downpours.
Appalachian Trail: Atlanta

I’m reading about a pro long distance walker as I set out for Springer Mountain. Edward Payson Weston preached of walking’s benefits at the dawn of the automobile age.
Appalachian Trail: Gorham to Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire

The Wildcats are considered some of the hardest hiking in New Hampshire with sketchy rock climbs.