Day 8
Hiked today: 19.3
Hiked total: 98.6
To katahdin: 2079.7
Rain rain go away. We arose this morning to lots of fog. We ate breakfast and packed up before putting on our rain gear. Luckily we knew it was supposed to rain today so we were prepared. Right after we left it started coming down fairly lightly. It was kind of cool to have about 50 feet of visibility, but it reminded me too much of my second, and worst, day. Luckily it didn't get too cold so it stayed rain. The terrain was fairly easy which is why we decided to push near 20 miles. Right now we are only 11 miles from Franklin, NC which is where we will take a zero day to celebrate our first state and 100 miles completed.
About 2 hours before we got to the shelter it started coming down. We were both happy to be with one another as we agreed neither of us would have continued after today.
Around 2 miles before shelter we stopped for a moment on the trail and heard a very deep and low noise. It wasn't really a growl, it sounded like a diesel car starting up (which it definitely wasn't.) sounded kind of like a cougar or a bear. Then not too much later we saw a sign for bear pen gap. Not only that but we passed a lot of fairly small trees just trampled on both sides. Kind of scary.
Like I said before the terrain was fairly easy, however, about a mile before the shelter we climbed 450 in .2 miles. Yes, I said climbed. It was pretty scary because the rocks we were climbing were really wet. Once we made it to the top there was a giant tower which had to do with some sort of agricultural research. We were going to climb it and see the views from 5250 feet up, but we couldn't even see 52 feet infront of us!
Right now we are in the tent which we set up inside the shelter and hung a tarp we found here along the front for as much wind and rain protection as possible. Very windy tonight.
via BB
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
One state down
Day 7
Hiked today: 11.8
Hiked total: 79.3
To katahdin: 2099.0
We woke up at our usual 6:30 to a room a little colder than we would have liked. It took us a little while to actually get out of bed, but we finally did and started packing up. We went and got breakfast at a fast food place which had surprisingly good biscuits. Finally we got our stuff together and left. The old lady (who took our $55) waved us goodbye and we started walking along the road with "Appalachian trail" written on a hanger. We actually walked about a mile and a half - we actually weren't in town anymore - until a volunteer firefighter, hiker search and rescue, carpenter, and nice guy named Harold picked us up. He drove us to the trail even though it was a few miles past where he needed to go, and we got off to a late - 9:45 - start. It was mainly uphill but there were only a couple hard pushes where Andy went ahead a little. About halfway through we ran into two hikers, one of which Andy met a few days ago. Jim and Ed hiked with us for a little while. I think they thought we would be really fast being young and all so they, with their 10 pound packs, so we all basicllly ran for two miles so no one would be shown up. Finally we got to their car which was our halfway point. Jim wanted to buy is lunch but didn't have the time today. So we ate lunch and trucked on. That's where the couple pushes were. We eventually got to our campsite and set up the tent inside the shelter for added protection as it might rain. We ate dinner and tried to remember some card games for a deck we found but to no avail. Pretty sunset, and a really cool tree right after the NC line. We also set up our first bear bag as there is no hanging cable at this shelter. We may meet up with Jim and Ed in shennandoah in VA if the timing is right.
We may try a 20 miler tomorrow because we are going to take a rest day in Franklin NC to celebrate completing our first state and our first 100 miles. Also Andy hasn't taken a day off yet. Hopefully it won't be too rainy tomorrow.
via BB
Hiked today: 11.8
Hiked total: 79.3
To katahdin: 2099.0
We woke up at our usual 6:30 to a room a little colder than we would have liked. It took us a little while to actually get out of bed, but we finally did and started packing up. We went and got breakfast at a fast food place which had surprisingly good biscuits. Finally we got our stuff together and left. The old lady (who took our $55) waved us goodbye and we started walking along the road with "Appalachian trail" written on a hanger. We actually walked about a mile and a half - we actually weren't in town anymore - until a volunteer firefighter, hiker search and rescue, carpenter, and nice guy named Harold picked us up. He drove us to the trail even though it was a few miles past where he needed to go, and we got off to a late - 9:45 - start. It was mainly uphill but there were only a couple hard pushes where Andy went ahead a little. About halfway through we ran into two hikers, one of which Andy met a few days ago. Jim and Ed hiked with us for a little while. I think they thought we would be really fast being young and all so they, with their 10 pound packs, so we all basicllly ran for two miles so no one would be shown up. Finally we got to their car which was our halfway point. Jim wanted to buy is lunch but didn't have the time today. So we ate lunch and trucked on. That's where the couple pushes were. We eventually got to our campsite and set up the tent inside the shelter for added protection as it might rain. We ate dinner and tried to remember some card games for a deck we found but to no avail. Pretty sunset, and a really cool tree right after the NC line. We also set up our first bear bag as there is no hanging cable at this shelter. We may meet up with Jim and Ed in shennandoah in VA if the timing is right.
We may try a 20 miler tomorrow because we are going to take a rest day in Franklin NC to celebrate completing our first state and our first 100 miles. Also Andy hasn't taken a day off yet. Hopefully it won't be too rainy tomorrow.
via BB
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Hiawassee
Day 6
Hiked today: 11
Hiked total: 67.5
To katahdin: 2110.8
Today was a great day once again. We woke up right before sunrise and looked over the mountains at the sunrise which was really pretty. We got going on a fairly easy hike. A lot was downhill whoch was a little hard on the knees but there was a fair amount of uphill too. Andy is in better shape than I am so I was falling behind just a little. However, we made it to Dicks Creek gap just after one. We were all ready to hitch hike but when we got to the road there was a group of weekened hikers who offered is beer and pizza! This was very much welcomed and appreciated to say the least! Not only that, but they drove us into town, so thank you very much guys!
We called the hostel but they aren't open for another week, so we tried the holiday inn first but then found out it was $70 a night so walked across the street to the motel where this elderly woman made us fork over a not much better $55. However we used the extra money to go to Daniels all you can eat, stuffed ourselves, and waddled back to the room. After a rest and some TV we went to restock our food supply. Now we will go to sleep once we finish with some movies.
Tomorrow we complete our first state! Its supposed to be nice but we will probably see rain on Wednesday. Next stop is Franklin which we should get to in 3 or 4 days.
North Carolina here we come!
via BB
Hiked today: 11
Hiked total: 67.5
To katahdin: 2110.8
Today was a great day once again. We woke up right before sunrise and looked over the mountains at the sunrise which was really pretty. We got going on a fairly easy hike. A lot was downhill whoch was a little hard on the knees but there was a fair amount of uphill too. Andy is in better shape than I am so I was falling behind just a little. However, we made it to Dicks Creek gap just after one. We were all ready to hitch hike but when we got to the road there was a group of weekened hikers who offered is beer and pizza! This was very much welcomed and appreciated to say the least! Not only that, but they drove us into town, so thank you very much guys!
We called the hostel but they aren't open for another week, so we tried the holiday inn first but then found out it was $70 a night so walked across the street to the motel where this elderly woman made us fork over a not much better $55. However we used the extra money to go to Daniels all you can eat, stuffed ourselves, and waddled back to the room. After a rest and some TV we went to restock our food supply. Now we will go to sleep once we finish with some movies.
Tomorrow we complete our first state! Its supposed to be nice but we will probably see rain on Wednesday. Next stop is Franklin which we should get to in 3 or 4 days.
North Carolina here we come!
via BB
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Great day
Day 5
Hiked today: 15
Hiked in total: 56.5
To katadhin: 2121.8
Today was great. Andy and I left at 8 before mostly everyone was up. We actually hiked pretty quickly for the first half because it was fairly flat terrain. We hiked 7.3 miles in 2.5 hours. Then the second half we went up and down more than 16,000 feet! It was pretty tiring. At the bottom of one of the mountains there was a cooler with a rock on it and we were excited for some trail magic but opened it up only to find trash. We met a few people along the way but about 2 miles from the shelter we are staying at we met two women who were waiting for one of their husbands and they gave us each a beer and some hummus, carrots, and strawberries. That was a very nice treat. We finally got up to the shelter and decided to tent at a site overlooking the mountains and had a nice fire and got meal. Tomorrow we will spend the night in Hiawassee because Andy has yet to spend a night in a nice bed. Not sure if the hiker hostels are open yet but I'm really hoping they are so we can meet some hikers, that, after all, is the best part of staying in town.
Nice down hill 11 miles to get to the road tomorrow then we will hitch hike in to town.
Ill put pictures up if there's a computer or I have good service.
via BB
Hiked today: 15
Hiked in total: 56.5
To katadhin: 2121.8
Today was great. Andy and I left at 8 before mostly everyone was up. We actually hiked pretty quickly for the first half because it was fairly flat terrain. We hiked 7.3 miles in 2.5 hours. Then the second half we went up and down more than 16,000 feet! It was pretty tiring. At the bottom of one of the mountains there was a cooler with a rock on it and we were excited for some trail magic but opened it up only to find trash. We met a few people along the way but about 2 miles from the shelter we are staying at we met two women who were waiting for one of their husbands and they gave us each a beer and some hummus, carrots, and strawberries. That was a very nice treat. We finally got up to the shelter and decided to tent at a site overlooking the mountains and had a nice fire and got meal. Tomorrow we will spend the night in Hiawassee because Andy has yet to spend a night in a nice bed. Not sure if the hiker hostels are open yet but I'm really hoping they are so we can meet some hikers, that, after all, is the best part of staying in town.
Nice down hill 11 miles to get to the road tomorrow then we will hitch hike in to town.
Ill put pictures up if there's a computer or I have good service.
via BB
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Back on the trail
Day 4
Hiked today: 10.8
Total hiked: 41.5
To kathadin: 2136.8
Hiked today: 10.8
Total hiked: 41.5
To kathadin: 2136.8
So it was nice to get back on the trail again. It was gorgeous and warm too which was great. I do miss mountain crossings though. We hiked at our own paces and I got here around 330 and hung out until the others got here. A guy named halfway got here before them so we talked for a while. He's retired and been section hiking the trail for 5 years. Pretty nude guy. Then a kid named Andy gothere who is just about to graduate from Emerson and he seems to be doing the same mileage as me so I'm going to ahead out with him in the morning. Its nice to be back on the trail though.
Oh and my trail name is dusty, which is short for dust buster because I worked so much at mountain crossings and didn't pay for a single night at the hostel!
15.5 miles tomorrow
via BB
Friday, February 6, 2009
Heh.
Day 0
So maybe the boss of the shop here incured me over for dinner and I spent the night eating lobster and drinking beer? I love the AT.
via BB
So maybe the boss of the shop here incured me over for dinner and I spent the night eating lobster and drinking beer? I love the AT.
via BB
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