There's an Ewok in Erwin

J-Bird and Ewok have successfully made it to Erwin, Tennessee. A late night phone call last night offered my first opportunity to catch up with Matt in person over the past couple of weeks. Our conversation was quick and scattered, but I hung up feeling confident in their ability to continue in the weeks ahead.

After hiking with James and Matt for about a week, Gil Fuqua left the boys a few days ago. They wished to thank him for his company on the Trail and hope he isn't too sore. Click here to check out Gil's photos from the Trail. Thank you so much for passing these along!

Matt and James were sitting down at a Huddle House for a late dinner when we spoke last night. Food was definitely a topic of conversation. Matt explained that they've been eating everything as a burrito or covered in nutella. The goal is to create a high caloric meal with limited supplies each time they eat. They have also planned to create a "Hiker Cookbook" after they finish their journey, compiling a list of their favorite burrito-based concoctions. We'll see how they feel about this idea once they've returned to civilization...

Matt also explained how they've been creating potluck meals over the past couple of weeks. Because they are traveling with a number of other hikers, they've adopted a system where each hiker contributes one item of food into a pot. The complete contents are then wrapped into burritos for what Matt called a "feast." When I asked for an example, he said, "usually it's mashed potatoes and ramen as your staples, mixed with mac & cheese, taco seasoning and hot sauce... delicious!"

Finally, he talked about creating iced honey bun sandwiches with nutella and cookie crumbs in the middle. That's more my style. A few additional notes from our conversation:

• Morale remains very high on the Trail despite seeing a number of hikers drop out through the Smokies. Ewok and J-Bird are traveling with Houdini, Crazy Beard, Too Tall and Low Profile. Despite lightning and hail storms, muggier weather and increased temperatures, Matt attributes music, his passion for CZC and the camaraderie of the group as the cause of his buoyant spirits.
• Aside from hiking, eating and sleeping, the group plays music and cards to pass the time. They build fires when possible and take solace in each other's company.
• Life gets simpler and simpler the longer he hikes. His pack is down to 30-35 pounds now as he continues to consolidate and learn about long distance hiking. They are hiking roughly 15 miles per day.
• When asked what the most exciting moment has been, he said that he got close to a 3-4 foot rattlesnake a week or so ago. In his words, "it was pretty neat, the snake let's you know you're getting too close."

Their next stop will be Roan Mountain, approximately 33 miles from their current location. Roan Mountain will be the last time the Trail climbs above 6,000 feet until they make it to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. This site also offers some gorgeous rhododendron gardens which should be approaching peak blooming time in the next couple of weeks. More to come later this week...

Trail Magic

After a brief stop in Hot Springs and Asheville, North Carolina, AT for CZC headed north towards Erwin, Tennessee. Click here for a full map of the North Carolina/Tennessee portion of the Trail. While I have been unable to speak with Matt in the past couple of weeks, he asked that I pass along the following over the weekend.

As of yesterday afternoon, James and Matt have hiked over 300 miles. They continue to enjoy their time on the Trail and are, in their words, "loving it!" They continue to eat lots of mashed potato burritos, courtesy of hikers that have dropped out over the past couple of weeks.

Matt wished to recognize several individuals for their hospitality and generosity and asked that I briefly touch on the notion of Trail Magic. Trail magic can take several forms but revolves around the notion of individuals going out of their way to support thru-hikers during their hikes. Whether this be food and drink left in shelters, car rides from the Trail into town, or even opening ones home for hikers to recuperate in for the night, the idea of trail magic and trail angels is an uplifting notion over the course of 2,000 miles.

Matt and James had been missing out on the Trail Angels over the past several weeks, arriving at the shelters after the fact and finding nothing more than empty soda bottles and candy wrappers. However, over the past week, their luck has changed. They wish to thank Ben and Adam for putting them up in Asheville last week and helping Matt find a drum. Matt now carries a small aluminum hand drum (weighs about a pound). They also wish to thank Yonder and Janet for hot dogs and cokes.

Matt said he received a number of items in the mail during his stay in Hot Springs. He devoured the cookies and brownies sent to him by Mom and Danny. And finally, he wishes to thank Barbara and Pat Loffredo for the nice new hiking items that they provided, including a light weight shirt to keep him cooler in the coming months.

Looking ahead, Matt and James hope to reach Erwin in the next couple of days. I look forward to speaking with them soon and hearing more about their adventures over the past couple of weeks!

Early News from Hot Springs

AT for CZC has officially made it to Hot Springs, North Carolina! Earlier this evening, I received a brief email from Matt. His message read as follows:

"Mike, we made it through the Smokies! After seeing some pretty extreme weather, hail, lightning and lots of rain, we made it out and are actually in Hot Springs right now. We are still traveling with Gunny, Wooly, Low Profile, Crazy Beard and Too Tall. Other friends we have met on the Trail include Traveler and Soleman.

I'm planning to hitch a ride in to Asheville tonight and try to pick up a drum. James' father will be joining us on the Trail for the next 50 miles starting in the AM. Life has been great. The hiking has been amazing... I've come up with my Trail name for the time being. Put me down as Ewok and James as Jay-Bird or Jamison.

We are picking up the pace these days and doing 15 miles a day. We have found the land of plenty/cornocopia as hikers have been dropping out, picking up food and feasting well on burritos every meal... I've been living off mashed potato burritos for some time now.

Special thanks to Standing Bear Farm Hostel for putting us up for a few nights, getting some horseshoes in and resting the bones. Thank you Curtis and Maria!"

I'm hoping that I'll be able to speak with him before they hit the Trail. Best of luck to Gil Fuqua as he embarks on this leg of the journey and I look forward to reporting more soon.

One Month In

AT for CZC has officially made it to the one month mark! Hard to believe that Matt and James departed from Springer Mountain over a month ago. So much has happened over the past thirty one days and I look forward to hearing more about their adventures on the Trail in the weeks ahead.

Click here to see their location as of 1pm this afternoon. They've hiked roughly 250-255 miles so far, having just passed Max Patch Summit, and have roughly 1,930 miles left to go. While they've definitely picked up their pace over the past couple of weeks, they'll need to continue to gain stamina and cover more ground each day as they move into the summer months.

Looking forward to catching up with Matt as I haven't spoken to him in a week and a half. The next post will hopefully be from Hot Springs, North Carolina.

Want to Send a Care Package?

Lots to report on AT for CZC this week despite minimal contact from Matt and James. A Tuesday afternoon check-in via their SPOT locator found them here near Thunderhead Mountain. On Thursday afternoon, Matt sent me a quick text message as they left Gatlinburg, Tennessee:

"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!

Notes from the Trail - May 11th

Yesterday afternoon, I received an unexpected letter from Matt. While his letters have typically been preceded by a phone call a few days in advance, yesterday's communication was an unexpected treat. Here is an excerpt from his letter, dated May 11th:

Trail Journal, 5/11/2012

From Fontana Dam, N.C.

Just got to Fontana Dam at the southern end of the Smokies. I'm doing really well, we all are. We've met up with some great people out here... I can't remember ever feeling as happy or accomplished as after a long day of hiking!

We reached the Smokies and are taking a "zero day" at the Fontana Hilton (the nicest shelter on the AT). I will be hiking through the Smokies in honor of my little buddies! James and I have rejoined with Crazy Beard, Low Profile and Too Tall. Met The Bard last night and think he will be traveling with us.

Resting the ankle for a day. We plan to eat some ice-cream and swim in the dam this afternoon. We will send more news from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Another project we are working on: our group now carries a banjo and guitar. I would like to pick up a djembe, possibly in Asheville. We are creating a band on our way to Maine! It is a traveling band, playing music and building friendships and fires all the way.

Matt also mailed me a memory card from his camera. Click here to view the rest of the pictures taken on the Trail so far. Be sure to check back soon for more updates regarding their progress through the Smoky Mountains!

Notes from the Trail - May 8th

Trail Journal, 5/8/2012

From Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

James and I made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, about 30 miles from Fontana Dam.

Last night, we camped out on the Nantahala River with a bunch of friends we have met on the Trail - Crazy Beard, Low Profile, Too Tall & Blue. Have been walking every day on a high ankle sprain. Just hoping that will heal soon.

Crazy Beard has a banjo so every night we camp with the "posse," or what I like to call the Wolfpack, and play music around the fire. With every day the hiking gets easier. I am loving everything about this experience.

The sheer vastness and beauty from the mountain tops, the strenuous and exhausting climbs, the simplicity of food and life on the Trail. Most of all, I enjoy the good people that we have met.

Our friends on the Trail so far: Crazy Beard, Low Profile, Too Tall, Blue, Pac-Man, Gunny & Wooly, Mr. Coffee, Eagle Eye, Take 5, Sandals.

James is now J-Bird. I'm still trying to figure out a good name.

James and I have been getting earlier starts and hiking more miles daily. We saw Fontana Dam and Clingman's Dome from an observation tower a few miles ago. It was great to see a different perspective of what we're about to climb.

A few more days now and we'll be at the base of the Smokies.

Click here to see their location as of 8:40pm this evening. Looks as if they've made it to Fontana Dam, meaning they've hiked the 30 miles in the past two days. They're definitely picking up pace and covering more ground now than they were a few weeks ago! I can only imagine the view from camp tonight...