Mile 137. Butt scootching.

Everyone talks. They say that Georgia is one of the toughest states on the AT.

But no one talks about North Carolina. She lulls you into thinking that she’s going to be kind to you. Then POW! She punches you in the gut with a 36% grade.

Yesterday’s descent into Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) was one of those gut punches. I scootched down on my butt four times.

Today’s 6-mile climb out is going to be the reverse of the same.

Miles will be hard-earned today!