Day 7 - 6/9/24 – Slack Packing

Denis Cove Trail Head (420.2) - Wilbur Dam Road (433.2)

Yummy Breakfast at First Watch

My aunt took me to breakfast at First Watch, where I dug into excellent French toast (picture). The plan for the day was a short 13-mile hike, with a slack pack. “Slack packing” is when, instead of carrying my usual 35-pound pack with everything I need to live, I carry a much lighter pack with just bare essentials for the day. This gives my body a chance to recover some while still making progress along the trail which was especially needed since my back was still giving me problems.

Laurel Falls

It was a beautiful day for a hike, as I passed Laurel Falls in the morning (picture) and walked across Watauga Dam around mid-day.

Standing on Watauga Dam

I also got to see a deer up close, as one stood alert right by the trail, watching me as I walked by but not running away (picture). My aunt picked me up and we went back to the hotel for one last night in civilization before a few days entirely in the woods.

Deer staring me down to see what I would do.