AT 12 - 7th April

Keeping my heart rate down even on 16 miles

Bear pretending to be a tree 

 Last night we camped in a bear infested area. Food had been taken before. We had the food in the tree so should have been ok. Scout got up to pee and on his way back I growled really load. He didn’t scream but said “You must make a fun grandad”. He got back to sleep eventually. I hope I’m a fun grandad. I know I’m getting old and sometimes the kids rub over my wrinkles that makes me smile. I do growling when reading gruffilo. 

Finding the food in the morning is a challenge. I need a reflector to spot it rather than wandering the woods. 

We got up in a panic this morning as it started to rain. I tried to get the tent down dry but not totally. It was 6:30 before light. 

We cooked porridge at 7:30 and set off for a 8mile hike to next shelter. We hit 5478 feet!!! We had lunch and set out for another 8 miles to next shelter. Another 5213 feet to get over. It was beautiful but so tiring. I crossed the 100 mile mark. I arrived exhausted!!! Put up tent and had a nap. Ate and revived a bit. In bed early but who cares. 

8 miles tomorrow to get a ride to Franklin. 

Viv is coming over on Sunday to say hi. 

Also my new YoungLife friends in NC are collecting us from the trail to bring us to dinner. I’m having a shower first or we would have to have separate tables!!