15.8 miles, 391.6 miles total
Today was pretty long. I woke up bright and early to start hiking. The hike today was filled with balds. I believe there were 4 or 5. I also visited the Overmountain Shelter, which is a barn converted into a shelter which can hold 20 hikers, possibly more. It also had a great view.
The two main obstacles of today's hike were Little Hump and Hump Mountains. Hump Mountain has a few false summits, so basically you think you've reached the summit, but then realize you have 100 more yards to go. That happened three times.
About halfway down from Hump, I saw a sign that says "Leaving NC." Technically, I have probably left NC a few dozen times so far (since the AT follows the NC-TN border for a few hundred miles), but this will be the last time. Alright, two states down, twelve to go! Let's do this! And goodbye NC! See you later!
Also, when I was on top of Hump, I could see Grandfather Mountain and Sugar Mountain (where Lutherock is), so that was pretty cool.
Tonight I am staying at a hostel, but it's full so I am tenting. There was a free shuttle into Roan Mountain (the town), so I went to a restaurant called Bob's Dairyland, and had the Holy Cow burger. It had three 5 oz hamburger patties, six slices of bacon, three slices of deli ham, three slices of cheese, two onion rings, and one scoop of chili. I also got a 32 oz mint chocolate chip milkshake. All worth it.
When I got back, some people in the hostel were watching Back to the Future, so I joined them, then we watched The Mask. It was all in all a pretty good night.
Unfortunately, around 10PM, a huge thunderstorm passed over. I was in my tent, in a deluge, and it didn't leak at all. I was bone dry all night, but the thunder and lightning were a bit unnerving, especially with a piece of fabric being the only thing separating me from them.
Love Overmountain. Awesome shelter.
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