The Nantahala Outdoor Center is a significant point on this trip because it marks the first part of the AT that I recognize. Katie and I used to be fairly active kayakers and have been here many times. This is the first time I've walked here though!

Big Ups is about a day ahead of me now, and Floats is a day back. About a day and a half ago I fell in with yet another interesting group and this time I got to hand out trail names.

Green Giant, Voldemort, Droid (formerly Roadblock) and Blue Indian

We stopped here long enough to get supplies and have a big breakfast, during which we were rewarded by a surprise visit from an old dear kayaking friend, Joe Bill.

Life on the trail continues to be amazing. Every day is full of new surprises, whether it be a jaw dropping view, a new friend or watching a centipede battle a beetle.

Starting tomorrow or the next day I'll be in the Smokys. Today I am at the lowest elevation so far, and once we're in the Smokys it'll be a four day non-stop uphill journey to the highest point on the whole trail, Clingman's Dome.

I have something special planned for that section of the hike, but I'll save that for the next update in about two days.