Derrick Earls, More Heart than Scars tackle the AT together and in Spirit!: Day 68, July 22, 2014

16.3 AT miles around 6-7 hrs. Stayed at campsite just south of PA 72.

There goes girls running in the trail! Must be a snake Growler and I predicted :). It was a snake and a big one. The timber rattler was coiled up by the time Growler and I arrived. I would say it was 3-5 feet based on its rattler and the brush prevented an awesome picture. We would later here someone else saw another timber rattler.

I also saw a 6.5 foot black rat snake take up the whole gravel road. That thing was a beast and I'm sure he has rocked some poisonous snakes, no doubt. I didn't get a picture because I was asking two others in front of me if they were seeing it. Also, I definitely thought about grabbing its tale and giving it a run for its money. Ima wait for more snake coaching from others on the AT, Reid Cooke and Doug Walden before I wrangle a big black snake like that! I will never be able to do that with a poisonous snake!! Never EVER! I must say I was scared to the bone of snakes before starting the AT. I realize that I was only scared because I didn't fully understand the rascals. They aren't so bad and the rattlers are docile. They will tell ya when they are feeling temperamental. I will still always be careful guys, no worries grandma :).

Growler, Rain, Sam and I made camp. I put my things down around 7 p.m. and went straight for the water. Set up tent? No. Filtered water? No. Fishing? You know it! I scouted the waters and they looked promising for trout. I saw many large trout go for my worm and I missed a few. Right before dark I landed a 14 inch Brook Trout! Boom! After spending $100 for an annual VA license and ~$65 for an annual PA license I finally got to eat a trout!!! Don't get me wrong the fishing, catching and releasing has been amazing! It truly has been worth it. However, there were many times I left camp saying I would return with dinner and failed miserably. Tonight would be the exception and I made it happen just before dark! I shared it at our tent campsite and everyone loved it! It was EXCEPTIONAL. Much better than tuna and salmon packets. It was FRESH! Also a nice morale booster! I never focus on the challenges, aches or other difficult things while fishing. It's my second favorite thing to do aside from soccer!

I hope to write the ATC and congress to work on a compromise for a thru hiker fishing license. Thru hikers do not get much time to fish and the one time fee would have to be allocated based on river/stream mileage, trout stocking expenses in the areas, etc. Also, working to identify a thru hiker would be a challenge as well. I'm up for suggestions and ideas. A 14 state compromise would be difficult but I think it's attainable and would be a great thing for future thru hikers.