June 22, 2025
AT mile marker 438.9 to 457.9
Hiked today: 19.0 miles / 30.6 km

When we were hiking in New Mexico, it seemed that we rarely had any internet, but now, on the AT, we seem to get both phone and internet reception intermittently. With good internet access this morning, it was great to talk to our boys who are currently staying with Rob’s parents in Sydney. After the video call for family news, we set off.

I mentioned yesterday how dense the undergrowth is here, but I didn’t explain the reason for the difficult trail conditions. Apparently, last year, this region experienced a severe hurricane, which caused a lot of tree blow downs and damage to the trail and some of the shelters. This year, the summer has been hot and wet, encouraging the growth of weeds and brambles. In addition, we are currently hiking in a designated Wilderness region, and the rules are that mo motorised equipment can be used. Dealing with trees obstructing the trail has to be with axes and hand saws. As a result, despite the mammoth efforts of trail maintenance crews, the weeds are quite a problem in some areas where they have grown tall, choking the path.

As we approached a road and car park, the path became clearer and wider, and the better trail conditions have continued into the afternoon’s path. We were both tired out with the heat and humidity and plodded up the last mountain ridge until we found a good spot. A sign warned of bear activity in this region, so we are glad that all our food is safely stored in our bear can, 70 big steps away from our tent (as per bear vault instructions). Although we have seen bear scat on trail, we haven’t actually seen or heard a bear so far.