Day 6 of AT in North Carolina NOBO

Wayah Bald Shelter (mile marker 120.4) to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (the “NOC”, #136.9).
Daily Mileage: 16.5

Last night’s thunderstorms ended in early am and we all awoke to a nice day and warming temps into the 70’s with cooling mountain breezes. Climbed the first half of the day up and over Wesser Bald, and then the long, somewhat treacherous downhill into the Nantahala Outdoor Center (the “NOC”).

Hiked a lot today with “Chipmunk”. A 62 year old from the UP of Michigan that hikes in sandals and hasn’t worn shoes in real life since 1993. He was in the Navy and got his nickname as he was the smallest guy in his squadron. What an interesting guy. He and his wife are descendants of the Cree North American Indigenous people from Canada and they still speak the language fairly well. He has dreadlocks that hang below the waist (had it since he retired from the Navy and became a mariner in the UP of Mich in 2002). An uber chill dude and really nice.

I will add a day into this journal as the NOC deserves its own entry, details & pics.Read more