200 miles in and over Clingman’s Dome (the highest point on the AT). It feels much less like a battle with nature now as the hiking legs and feet have started to come in. Longer days leave me much less exhausted and give me more time to reflect and enjoy myself. It seems like a crazy notion to want to spend 4-6 months outside hiking 2200 miles, but the longer I am out here the more enjoyable the days become.
Hiker hunger has officially kicked in at this point. I have lost weight and can eat like there will never be a second meal. The pursuit of high/dense caloric food is never-ending. Honey buns at 550 cal per bun is a favorite. Snickers, cheese, skittles, and cliff bars are also consumed in mass quantity. I am also adding several table spoons of olive oil to dinners to increase the calories. The last time we ate in town I consumed a half pound bacon cheese burger with fries and topped it off with a snickers and a piece of fudge. After which I still felt like I could eat more. The strange thing is I don’t think hiker hunger has hit me in full force yet…. 
