Appalachian Trail Flip-Flop Thru Hike Days 138 & 139

Appalachian Trail Flip-Flop Thru Hike
Days 138 & 139
Spring Mountain Shelter to Hot Springs
Music: Fractal of Light by Chris Haugen
#at2024

[@smoketownjane]

Wow, bummer. Thank you for showing and glad your safe.

[@peterexpatkiwi]

Glad you are safe. It's easy to make a mistake, it's harder to admit to it. Respect. Appreciate your comments on the kindness you were shown in Hot Springs, I'm sure you will find a way to pay it forward in due course.

[@janemchugh1246]

So glad you posted. 2017 hiker and I was worried about you guys heading south. Im glad you are safe and I remember staying with Elmer on my way north what a haven. Its so sad seeing the the destruction all around you. God bless and safe journies!

[@Wolfmanhikes]

My hats off to u gator for pushing to get your hike complete. Glad you’re safe. Keep me posted.

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

Thank you! Will do!

[@donnagorman6494]

I bet you were surprised when you got to Hot Springs. We were suppose to be there that day. We love it there. Helene hit our small town in Fl and destroyed our small beach community almost all the homes were washed away around 20ft surge. So sad.

[@heatherboas1526]

So glad you're okay, and thank you for sharing your experience. The Trail will still be there when you're ready to return. Stay safe.

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

Thanks

[@strombley5]

Glad you are safe. Thank you for providing this update and your heartfelt concern for the towns and the people.

[@Mountain_Goat_Hikes]

Gator!! Glad you’re ok!! I can’t believe you sheltered during Helene!! Yikes! If you want to come hike GA, it’s open. I can help if needed. I live in GA. -Mountain Goat (we hiked in Maine together)

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

Hey there, Mountain Goat. Hope all is well. I’m actually back on the trail now. Some new videos are gonna be coming out shortly.

[@tommy7458]

Free beer on the first day; free food on the last day. Glad you’re safe.

[@juliamarple3785]

Wow. Thank you. Best wishes.

[@kpenn5984]

WOW, your Adventure just leveled up, big time.

[@roelf8653]

Howdy Professor Gator, Wow, what an adventure. I hope your home safe and sound now. You'll have some good stories to tell your scouts along with a lesson about the importance of being prepared. The last week of videos was akin to watching a horror movie where someone is about to go into the dark basement where the monster is. So glad you made it through safe. I think my wife is a wee bit tired of hearing me worrying about Joel on the trail. It did my heart good to hear about the people in Hot Springs helping you out in the midst of their disaster. I don't know when you'll be able to finish your hike but I'm sure you will at some point. I'm going to stay subscribed so I can watch it. Thanks for all the great videos you shared. I really enjoyed them all. Best of luck to you and yours. Your buddy, Brad

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

Thanks Brad. Glad we met back in May!

[@kenkaplan8237]

Glad you're safe , I've been watching with anticipation of this episode as I knew it might be a season finale......It's good to have the Peace of Mind of the satellite communicator, thankfully you were able to think on your feet, and allow EMS to help the community , clearly your conscientious about that too. Wish you well and safe travels.

[@nymph40]

Punt

[@Judy-fi7ce]

Hope you made it home safely. Sounds like you were on trail right when the storm hit that area. Rebuilding will take time for sure. Hope you get to eventually finish your hike.

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

I hope so too!

[@soggybottomhikes6915]

When you go back to finish, you might consider starting at Springer and heading north. I don't think you will run into any major problems through the Smokies. Good luck!

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

I am considering a few options. Really wanted to finish at Springer, but will have to see what happens.

[@daverose2279]

Sorry but glad you are safe. You will get it done.

[@tacdoc8736]

I'm sorry you need to pause your hike, for this moment in time, but i'm thankful you're safe. I'm afraid we may have lost thru-hikers in that region, that were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, as the storm hit and the floods started. Some of the trail towns, and surrounding communities, have been completely destroyed. In NC emergency services we're hearing some staggering estimates of the potential number of lives lost from this event. Everyone is trying to pitch in and send equipment, supplies, and rotations of first responders to assist. There's just so much damage and large masses of land currently only accessible by air, UTVs, or mules.

[@deborahhoward8185]

Wow! So glad you’re safe. Any idea of what became of the other two hikers you sheltered with the night before? Hopefully, they were able to get out safely, too.

[@JoelHikesTheTrail]

No clue. Never saw either of them in Hot Springs. Hope they made it out safely.

[@phillipwilson6576]

Glad you made it safely also glad you didn’t continue on I’m sure it only got worse