Day 6 (85.9-109.4)

 I woke up shortly after 6 and packed up my belongings. 2 miles left to go til I reach the top of Standing Indian. It was still cold as the sun hadn’t quite warmed everything up yet. As I ascended to the top of Standing Indian I felt like I was in an entirely different world. To pass the time, I pretended that I was walking through middle earth, as that’s what the environment looked like. Very surreal with the ridge line walk, the dead trees and nothing but mountains around and below me. It was good. Chilly, but good. 

My first goal for the day was to climb Albert Mountain and check out the fire tower. The climb up was a bit rough, wooden logs pressed into the side of the hillside to form a rugged staircase almost all the way up. The last half of the climb was almost hand over foot climbing to the top. I reached the summit right around 1pm. The views were as breathtaking as the last time I climbed Albert. I sat there for a moment to take it all in while I shoveled food in my face. Not only did I complete the climb up Albert, this summit marked 100 miles of the trail. Only 2,100 to go. 

The remainder of the day was very relaxing, smooth ups and downs until rock gap. The last little bit of the 23 mile day had me exhausted and ready to head into town to assess the damage. My knees still sore and my Achilles throbbing, I knew I either needed to cut my mileage substantially or take some extended time off.

I hobbled down to winding stair gap where the parking lot to the trailhead was right off US64. I waited for some time with my thumb out hoping to catch a ride into town, no luck. Each car the passed by seemed as if it sped up as soon as I made eye contact with the driver. I started sifting through AWOL’s guide to look for a shuttle driver when an older gentleman pulled over in a beat up red pickup. “Where ya headed?” He exclaimed. I told him I was just heading into town to get a room for the evening. The man not too familiar with the area said he could drive me down 11 miles and drop me off at an exit. Perfect! I’ll take it. 

The drive down was good, the gentleman’s name was Howie who lived in the Bryson City area. He had just had work done on his truck but it still seemed to leak diesel. He took me down to the East end of Franklin and dropped me off at a first commonwealth bank. A short hike up to the motel and I was off my feet. Thank goodness. 

After checking in for the night I peeled off the socks to examine the damage. My right ankle was the size of a golf ball however the swelling in the knees didn’t return. Cutting my mileage it is! 











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