NORTH CAROLINA— Doug Woods has now pushed past the 140-mile mark on his more than 2,200-mile northbound trek along the Appalachian Trail, moving steadily toward the Great Smoky Mountains after completing his first major milestone.

Last week, Woods summited Albert Mountain, reaching the roughly 5,250-foot peak that marks the first 100 miles of trail, an early test for thru-hikers. From the peak, he reported sweeping views across miles of open terrain.

“The Georgia and North Carolina sections are really severe,” Woods said. “There’s steep climbs followed by steep declines.”

Lingering winter storm damage remains visible along the trail, though conditions are improving. Woods observed trail crews clearing large, downed trees using traditional two-man crosscut saws, as motorized equipment is prohibited in designated wilderness areas.

He also reported seeing smoke from a wildfire roughly 20 miles south of his position. Local reporting in Macon County confirmed a blaze in the Nantahala National Forest near the trail that grew to more than 200 acres before being contained.

Since reaching the 100-mile mark, Woods has continued north and is now roughly 140 miles into the journey. He called this week from Wesser Bald, just south of Fontana Dam, standing atop the observation tower and looking out toward the Smokies, about a four-day hike ahead.

The weather during his call was ideal—clear skies and about 55 degrees—though rain is forecast for much of his time in the Smokies.

Over the past week, Woods has also fallen in with what hikers refer to as a “trail family,” a group of fellow hikers moving at a similar pace. Among them are hikers from Texas, including one woman he joked “goes uphill like a rocket.”

The terrain continues to offer little relief.

“There’s very little flat,” he said. “You grind uphill for miles, enjoy the view, and then it’s straight back down.”

Woods and his group recently took a “zero day” in Franklin, North Carolina, resting indoors during steady rain. The break allowed them to recharge before pressing on toward the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a well-known Appalachian Trail stop where Olympic kayakers train on the Nantahala River.

Wildlife sightings remain limited. He has spotted a bald eagle gathering nesting material, but colder temperatures have kept snakes inactive and bears out of sight—though he continues to watch for them.

Despite the steep grades and shifting weather, Woods said he feels strong and expects terrain to ease somewhat in Virginia in the coming weeks.