Day 20: April 17, 2022
AT mile 243.7 to 262.6
Hiked: 18.9 miles / 30.4 km
AT miles hiked to date: 12.0%

It was nice to wake up with a dry tent and clear skies this morning. We were both feeling pretty tired from the steep climb the night before but otherwise feeling well. It seemed like the trail was less steep and we enjoyed seeing new blooms and buds appearing beside the trail.

At the top of the first main peak of the day was some sort of radar station for air traffic control. With good reception we were able to read and listen to some messages from home ad well as send some of our own. Unfortunately with a 14 hour time difference we don’t often have reception at a suitable time to converse with family.

Down a long way we came to a road crossing and were met with a friend of a hiker who gave us each a mandarin and a gatorade. Then it was up again eventually to a grassy mountain top called Max Patch where we had spectacular views over nearby farmland and distant mountains. It was a great place for lunch and the sun was shining with only a hint of a cool breeze.

Through most of the afternoon we seemed to follow a number of tributaries along a valley, then a climb and down to our tent site. Dinner is ready and with it the rain!