We met some new hikers at Walnut Mountain Shelter. A husband and wife who were section hikers, Snail and Apple core. Apple core was an OR nurse, so we talked shop for a while. We met a couple of British gents who were on a guided three day trip to Hot Springs. They were jolly guys, and a lot of fun to talk to.

We encouraged the Brits to hike the last miles to Hot Springs that day rather than stoping at the shelter only three miles from Hot Springs. One of them laughed and said in his strong British accent, “who wants to go into Hot Springs and have a pint and sleep in a warm bed when we can sleep out here on the cold rocky floor?” We laughed and assured him we definitely did. He and I talked about hunting in the UK, he gave me his card and promised that if I sent him an email he would take me hunting there some day. He said, “and make sure you sign the email Juanito, not your real name, so I’ll know who the bloody hell you are.” I would love to do that some day.

The hike was awesome that day. There was a tough ascent coming out of the shelter, but after that the trail was mostly downhill all the way into Hot Springs. The thirteen miles passed quickly. The trail passes through the middle of town, population less than 500. It is a hiker destination town, there were lots of hikers at the Laughing Heart Hostel and Lodge. I got a room in the lodge and did all my chores. It was good to be clean again.