I was moving so slowly leaving Newfound Gap. Was I even moving? I was searching and mostly listening for running water. I had run out of water a few miles prior to my disgusting but much-needed bathroom floor nap, and my water search continued on for a long 3 more miles. The effects of dehydration (while pushing myself like this) began to compound seriously. There were so many wet spots on the ground, so there had to be a source nearby. I kept slowing down to look left and ri

“This trail has taught me everything I need to know! I don’t think there is anything left to learn out here!” I cried. What else could I possibly learn on the Appalachian Trail? I was 75 miles in. Got it. It’s HARD. So much harder than ANYTHING in the West by a factor of 10. Overnight running while sleep-deprived is terrible. Getting lost last night broke me into a million pieces for hours. HOURS. Somehow, by forces unknown to me, I became miraculously untangled from the mes