From Franklin, North Carolina

Matt and James successfully arrived in Franklin, North Carolina, on Friday evening and spent the night in town recuperating and restocking their supplies. After a lengthy, note-filled conversation with Matt on Friday night before he and James rushed off to a cheeseburger dinner, I have the following to report.

The hike continues to progress with minimal complications. AT for CZC is picking up steam as the two hikers have found their stride physically. After a fairly rough first week of hiking, filled with frequent stops and numerous blisters, Matt informed me that they have picked up their pace each day, getting an earlier start and taking less breaks.

The two hikers have learned a lot about pack weight over the past two weeks, cutting their packs down from approximately 45-47 pounds each at the start of the week to 38-40 pounds respectively. As the week progresses and they consume food, their packs will get progressively lighter. Additionally, while the two hikers were initially consumed by thoughts about food, they have developed a fortitude and resolve that has allowed them to shift their focus to other things on the Trail.

Matt's focus this week has been learning about the Trail community and meeting new people. While they were initially skeptical of other hikers on the Trail, they have developed some friendships already, as they tend to see the same fifteen or twenty individuals each day on the Trail. Because Matt and James have slept late each morning to this point, many of the hikers pass them while they are still in camp. However, Matt and James typically pass these same individuals later in the afternoon, as their pace is a bit faster than others.


Matt has met a ton of other hikers on the Trail over the past two weeks. Each hiker adopts a Trail Name while on the AT, with the dual purpose of protecting their true identities as well as allowing them to more completely immerse themselves in the experience. Here are a few of the "characters" he has met so far:

• Mr. Coffee - 40's, from Connecticut, quite a talker but you'd be too if you drank coffee all day
• Two Meals & Late Start - two guys from Florida, started journey with incredible 97 lb. packs.
• Crazy Beard, Too Tall & Low Profile - 20's, from Connecticut. Carry a banjo on the Trail.
• Wooly & Gunny - Older gents, photographer & former Marine.
• Thunderfoot - Size 17 shoe (compare that with James' size 6 boots!)
• Cheshire Cat
• Rainbow (native North Carolinean)
• Houdini

Matt and James are both still trying to come up with appropriate Trail Names. Something tells me they'll have enough time in the next couple of weeks to come up with something good...


Matt and James both send their best to family and friends as they continue their hike. They asked that I thank Jordan and Ginny for giving them a ride to Springer Mountain at the onset of their journey. Their next stop is Fontana Dam at the start of Smokey Mountain National Park. They hope to arrive there in the next couple of days and are already well on their way.


Check back in again soon. I hope to post pictures as well as another section of Matt's trail journal later this week.