Appalachian Trail - Shook Branch/US-321 to TN-91

Day 1 - April 24, 2024

I was picked up by David the shuttle driver just before 8AM in Damascus. He got me to Shook Branch on US-321 about 8:40a.

I ended up hiking about 12.9 miles today to a campsite at mile marker 441.8.

Last part really wiped me out. It was darn warm if not hot today. There was one other guy in camp. He is a thru who started in Feb. My filter is super slow, pretty sure it is overly clogged. I borrowed a filter from Sage aka Slow. THe plan is to return it in Damascus.

Dinner was chicken fried rice. It was OK, but not great.

I was in my tent by 21:00

Day 2 - April 25, 2024

Slept okay. A bit tired this morning. I was up about 6:30 and ready to go by 7:30.

Destination is double springs shelter about 11 away. Maybe a camp beyond if sufficient energy and water.

Stopped for water just shy of Iron Mountain Shelter

Stopped at shelter to filter and snack about 10:00a (MM 448.4)

Slow today. Some heat but think I am just tired

7.7mi to next shelter

Really don't feel great and started to get a dehydration headache.

Stopped at TN91 to grab a ride back to Damascus. Just really not feeling it. I called David for a shuttle. Normally he was charge me 40, but he only wanted 10. I paid him 20 for his trouble.

Got a hotel room in Abingdon. We will see how I feel after Gatorade and dinner.

Day 3 - April 26, 2024

I feel much better after a nights sleep but I still don't feel great and I decided to call it. It is a bit more than 20 miles from TN-91 back to Damascus but I will do that in a different hike.

Overall I was just not in the right headspace and physical space to hike this spring. The heat didn't help - but it really wasn't that bad - it just did not agree with me.