"Saw the blog. Looks great! A lot of people have been dropping out recently... Hitching out of Gatlinburg is awful. Never go there."
Hopefully, their spirits have improved over the past couple of days and this weekend will find them continuing to make progress as they hike through the Smokies towards Hot Springs and Asheville, North Carolina. Looking ahead to next week, Matt and James are planning to take a few days break in this area to recuperate and regroup for the next leg of their journey.
Additionally, this will also allow time for a mail drop and/or care packages to be sent and arrive to them on the Trail. They should arrive in Hot Springs the middle of this coming week, take a few days off in Asheville, and return to Hot Springs before getting back on the Trail. Mail can be sent to and held for them at the Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs.
Please feel free to mail packages to the following:
AT Hiker Matt Primiani
The Sunnybank Inn
P.O. Box 233
Hot Springs, NC 28743
Want to send a package? Do so soon! Priority Mail typically takes 3-5 days, so packages should reach them by the middle or end of next week if mailed on Monday or Tuesday, May 21st or 22nd.
Based upon past conversations with Matt, I know that receiving a letter or well wishes will be greatly appreciated by him and will provide the motivation to keep climbing as he seeks to complete the challenges in the months ahead.
Check back in again soon for more updates regarding their progress. I'm optimistic that I'll receive news from them this weekend!
Matt and James were on top of Snowbird Moutain on Monday, July 21 at 10:30 am (mileage 245). James said they were due in Hot Springs on late Tuesday or Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteSo far, no bears sighted; however, they saw a rattle snake yesterday who slinked out of their way - no problems.