Day 12: Carter Gap Shelter to Rock Gap Shelter

Today’s miles: 12.1. Total miles: 106.

32 degrees waking up this morning.  Think about getting out of bed and getting dressed! You move fast!

Today’s highlights were the 500 foot, very vertical climb up Albert Mountain, and to reach the 100 mile point at the fire tower on top.  It was strenuous for me, but I felt great to have done it, and the afternoon flew by from there.

The evenings are special on the trail.  I arrived at the shelter at 4pm. I like to take care of business first, which for me is to set up my hammock, tarp, change into my sleep clothing, get water for dinner, and make sure that my clothes are ready for the morning.

Then up to the shelter with my food bag, cook set, and water. We usually eat together at a picnic table or sitting on logs around a fire pit.  While eating until dark, we tell stories about the day, and get to know each other.

I’m sure that most of my memories of the AT will come from these fireside sessions, and the interesting people I meet.  Tonight was Cloud Dancer, who did the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) last year, and wants to do the AT in 90 days!

Tomorrow is a “Nero” or Near Zero day.  We will hike 3 miles and catch a ride into Franklin, NC to buy food for the next 4 days, do laundry, have a couple of good meals, and a night in a bed.

CG

Day 11, Muskrat Creek Shelter to Carter Gap Shelter

Today’s miles: 12.5. Total miles: 93.9.

Highlight of the day was the climb to 5500′,
Standing Indian Mountain.  The climb was less rigorous, and a pretty easy day.  There was a threat of rain and thunderstorms; just showers today, but windy as I write this…

Tomorrow is expected to be more demanding, so hang on!

CG

Day 10 Dick’s Creek Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter

Today’s miles: 11.8. Total miles: 81.4.

Back on the AT after a zero day, I was recharged. The day off was relaxing. I ate healthy meals and just enjoyed reading and being lazy.  But I was ready to go. 

The day was near perfect, 80 degrees and sunny, with no wind. The hiking was not bad until crossing into NC.  YES! I made it to NC around 2 pm today.  One down, and thirteen to go…

Then a crazy hard climb up Courthouse Bald of 800′ at the end of the day was the hardest to date.  I am still hiking in slow motion on these tough climbs; my goal is to just keep moving, one baby step at a time. 

Nice chatting around the campfire.  A couple is hiking the AT for their 30th anniversary.  Also some stories about Miss Janet, who follows the hiking group to support them.

Tonight I decided to sleep under the stars.  Normally, I hang my hammock, and then cover it with a tarp, to keep out the wind and rain.  Tonight is calm and clear, so the view is unobstructed and beautiful. 

Tomorrow afternoon, rain and possible thunderstorms are predicted.  Rain is fine and expected.  The storms are not any fun, and I hope they miss us.

CG

Today’s miles: 6.3. Total miles: 69.6.

Beautiful night, no clouds, and a beautiful day forecast ahead.  6am, we woke to a 30 minute rain shower! An hour later, clear skies…

One steep climb first thing in the morning, then on to Dick’s Creek Gap, and hitchhiking into Hiawassee.  Only had to wait 5 minutes, and got a ride in a Mercedes! Rabbit and I got left at our motels,  for well deserved zero days. 

Many thru hikers recommend taking a day off every 7-10 days,  so I will plan on that.  We are supposed to listen to our bodies, especially if they start hurting. 

I had a good time doing nothing, reading, and catching up with phone calls.  Great to recharge the mind and soul, as well as the body. 

Tomorrow, it’s back to the trail, and 8.9 miles to the NC border! This is usually seen as the first big milestone. 

Off to a second night in bed.  Ahhhhhhh…

Day 7 Helen, GA to Sassafras Gap. Page 13!

Today’s miles: 10.4. Total miles: 63.3.

Last night (end of day 6) was special, and typical of what I have seen on the trail so far.  I am walking with a group of people from all over the US, and 3 from Germany.  Well, 5 of us decided to go into the German themed, tourist town of Helen, GA.  We decided to stay at a Best Western, and all 5 of us in one room! Then a 6th showed up, and joined the fun. 2 to each bed, and 2 on the floor.  We all got along famously. 

Dinner was at a German owned restaurant, where we had a fine beer and variety of food.  Authentic, and even the Germans were impressed. 

Today stated with me hitchhiking. Usually not a good idea, it is a very accepted means of travel.  I got a ride after about 15 minutes, for the 7 miles back to the trail. Thanks to Travis, born and raised locally, and quite the gentleman!

From there, 10 hard miles of hiking, back up to 4400 feet.  Beautiful weather for a change, in the 70s.

First, thanks to everyone who is following my blog.  I like the comments, so keep them coming!

Today: 11.5 miles.  Total: 43.2 miles.
   (Footnote: to keep things simple, I am not adding the 8 miles I did on the approach trail.  With those miles added, I broke 50 miles today!)

Left the hostel knowing it was supposed to rain today, and it did! Words for the day: mud, rain, wind, and more mud. Hardest part was going down hill and trying not to fall in the slippery conditions. 

Trail Magic. What inspires a group of people to go out on a miserable day, set up a canopy on the side of a road that intersects the AT, and feed hungry hikers for a few hours? Many of us hikers were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit and  drinks, all we could eat! Wonderful! And… I received two blessings for a safe journey.  Thanks so much to the Echo Ministries for the food and fellowship. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!

Day 3. Justus Creek to Lance Creek. Today: 9.9 miles.  Total: 24.3 miles. 

Day 4. Lance Creek to Neel Gap. Today: 7.4. Total: 31.7.

An interesting couple of days.  Yesterday was about meeting nice people, and taking time to learn what they are about. 

Today was physically challenging.  I hiked Blood Mountain, at 4461′, the highest peak to date.  Then add in a continuous rain, wind and cold… Great fun!

The good news is that I have a bunk at the AT famous Hiker Hostel. For $17, you get a bunk (1 of 16), a shower and a towel.  For another $3, you get to wash your clothes. Perfect!

I also had my first experience of “Trail Magic”. A group of folks from the Spring Valley Church of Springville, Alabama drove 4 hours and spent a few days locally giving away food to hikers.  Tonight, they put on a free spaghetti dinner for us, complete with salad and dessert. Some music and a little fellowship was appreciated! Thanks to Pastor Barry Britt for this special event.

Tomorrow is another rain day, but that’s life on the trail!

Today’s Miles: 11.6 Total: 14.4

Overnight was COLD! Temps in the low teens, and windy.  My teeth chattered all night, and I only got a couple of hours sleep. 

It was hard crawling out of bed.  We got up at 7:30, packed up, and I got going eating a bar on the go. I took a coffee break, when I finally warmed up. 

The rest of the day was gorgeous, but the temps stayed in the low 40s.

My initial goal was 13 miles to Gooch Mountain Shelter, but I was tired by 4pm, stopped too often on the uphills, and wanted to be done! Got here at 6pm, time to set up my hammock, and have a freeze-dried dinner! Yum! 4 other hikers here. Had a nice chat by a fire.  One couple is on their honeymoon! Neat to have a 6 month honeymoon?! Another is a lawyer who is unhappy with his career.  Then there is Corn Flake, who is moving slowly with his dog.  Quite the mix!

Tomorrow’s goal is another 10 miles, to Lance Creek. 

Day 1. Approach Trail (from parking lot) 7.3 miles, then Springer Mt to Stover Creek Shelter, 2.8 miles.  Today’s total: 10.1 miles. 
Being seranaded by Mica with friend Pearl. 
I decided to stay in a nice hut, as it is very cold and windy.  At least I am out of the wind!

About 12-15 people here., with 2 girls.  Quite a mix! Evenly split between 20s, 40s, and me.  2 Germans, one is Bernd.  40ish computer programer. 

Animal carries a heavy bucket to save money.  Jay served 5 years in the Navy, then college, and hiking before going to work. 

Gear is fine so far.  I have a small pull on my backpack strap, so will be watching it. 

Too cold for much else…