Day 0
Incase you haven't noticed, when I say day 0 that means no hiking.
We woke up late (7:30) and went down to the gas station to try and resupply. When we got there, there were 5 cans of soup. Needless to say we couldn't survive off that for 6 days. We asked for a shuttle back to the shelter before we left and luckily the guy had a meeting in a normal town with food and a grocery store so he brought us there. That took about an hour to get to. He said he probably wouldn't be done until 1 or so and then he would drive is back. By the time we get back to the shelter it will be too late to start hiking so we are forced to take a zero day. At least we pushed the last 3 days so its not the end of the world.
We also got in touch with Jim. He emailed me and when I got into the city I was able to check my phone. Anyway somehow we missed each other or we were on the other side of the dam. He hiked up a little to try and meet is but we never crossed paths. We feel bad because he drove all the way here with all that food. We were happy to know he wasn't hurt or anything which was a concern since we didn't hear from him.
We will rest at the shelter and resume hiking tomorrow.
via BB
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Comments
Oh yea, and we get all your comments. We can't really respond to them, but thanks for them! Andy and I appreicate it. If anyone needs us you can e-mail me at imangiardi @ vzw.blackberry.net I check it every night when I write in the blog.
Funny Story.
Day 12
hiked today: 21.8
total hiked: 151.1
to katahdin: 2027.2
So we had a long day. We woke up really early in the blistering cold to get an early start to our long day. We ended up hiking 10 hours with only a short half hour break for lunch. We knew it would be hard which is why we woke up early, but there were lots of ups and downs and all arounds. Our feet hurt and we were tired and cold. However, it was nice that we broke our previous record.
Anyway, other than a fairly uneventful long, cold, hard hike, Jim told us he was going to meet us down here with steaks and shrimp and we were going to grill them and have a good dinner. So throughout the whole cold long day, that is what kept us going. Jim and Andy met on his second day. They hiked together for a while and then went their seperate ways. Then a few days ago we both ran into him again. Like I said previously he wanted to meet up with us again and hike some more. He is trying to section hike the AT and really wants to do the whole thing but can't because of his family. Anyway, we thought it was a long drive for him to come meet us for the night and probably hike off into the smokies for the day, but we didn't mind since he seemed like a really nice guy -- and told us he had lots of food!
So we get off the trail -- finally -- and make it to the shelter. The shelter itself is really nice. There are actually running bathrooms and showers there. Its right on the Fontana Dam which is the largest dam on the east coast, so it's a pretty popular spot. Jim said he would meet us on the bridge (which I assumed meant dam) and I told him we would be there around 5. I checked my messages at lunch and he said he was getting ready to go so all was well. Andy and I walk to the Dam (which is about half a mile from the shelter) and there is not a single soul. The visitor center is closed for the season, and no cars in the parking lot. So we waited around for about half hour, and then started walking along the road to the main road. The road crossing the dam ended on the otherside, so we knew he couldn't pass us without seeing us. We get to the main road which is about a mile and a half away from where we were and still no one is there. Its now 6. So we call his friend Ed, because he didn't give his phone number on the voicemail, but no answer. We decide to walk into the village where on the map says there is food. We are STARVING at this point. SO we walk on the main road around bends and curves and uphill for over a mile. Ghost Town. We see no one. There is a national park lodge that said had food so we walked up that way, to find no one. We saw a couple lights on at the top of the hill so we go up in the hopes of food. Finally we get up there and see a car leaving, and the registration for the lodge. We ask if there is ANY food around -- theres not. The guy said the nearest place that has real food is 27 miles away. We hid our packs near the shelter, and forgot our flashlights, so now its dark. We buy all the 1/4lb cookies the guy had at the desk (which ended up being a lb for each of us) and a cheese danish, bagel, soda, and $6 worth of vending machine goodies. We realize we are exhausted and can't walk nearly 2 miles in the pitch black on a main road and decide to shell out the $60 to stay the night. Ironically, the motel we stayed in at Haiwasse was $55 and about 1% as nice as this place. It's really great here. I just wish we had some steaks and shrimps in our bellies and didn't have to walk the extra 4 miles which brings our total milage today up to nearly a marathon!
hiked today: 21.8
total hiked: 151.1
to katahdin: 2027.2
So we had a long day. We woke up really early in the blistering cold to get an early start to our long day. We ended up hiking 10 hours with only a short half hour break for lunch. We knew it would be hard which is why we woke up early, but there were lots of ups and downs and all arounds. Our feet hurt and we were tired and cold. However, it was nice that we broke our previous record.
Anyway, other than a fairly uneventful long, cold, hard hike, Jim told us he was going to meet us down here with steaks and shrimp and we were going to grill them and have a good dinner. So throughout the whole cold long day, that is what kept us going. Jim and Andy met on his second day. They hiked together for a while and then went their seperate ways. Then a few days ago we both ran into him again. Like I said previously he wanted to meet up with us again and hike some more. He is trying to section hike the AT and really wants to do the whole thing but can't because of his family. Anyway, we thought it was a long drive for him to come meet us for the night and probably hike off into the smokies for the day, but we didn't mind since he seemed like a really nice guy -- and told us he had lots of food!
So we get off the trail -- finally -- and make it to the shelter. The shelter itself is really nice. There are actually running bathrooms and showers there. Its right on the Fontana Dam which is the largest dam on the east coast, so it's a pretty popular spot. Jim said he would meet us on the bridge (which I assumed meant dam) and I told him we would be there around 5. I checked my messages at lunch and he said he was getting ready to go so all was well. Andy and I walk to the Dam (which is about half a mile from the shelter) and there is not a single soul. The visitor center is closed for the season, and no cars in the parking lot. So we waited around for about half hour, and then started walking along the road to the main road. The road crossing the dam ended on the otherside, so we knew he couldn't pass us without seeing us. We get to the main road which is about a mile and a half away from where we were and still no one is there. Its now 6. So we call his friend Ed, because he didn't give his phone number on the voicemail, but no answer. We decide to walk into the village where on the map says there is food. We are STARVING at this point. SO we walk on the main road around bends and curves and uphill for over a mile. Ghost Town. We see no one. There is a national park lodge that said had food so we walked up that way, to find no one. We saw a couple lights on at the top of the hill so we go up in the hopes of food. Finally we get up there and see a car leaving, and the registration for the lodge. We ask if there is ANY food around -- theres not. The guy said the nearest place that has real food is 27 miles away. We hid our packs near the shelter, and forgot our flashlights, so now its dark. We buy all the 1/4lb cookies the guy had at the desk (which ended up being a lb for each of us) and a cheese danish, bagel, soda, and $6 worth of vending machine goodies. We realize we are exhausted and can't walk nearly 2 miles in the pitch black on a main road and decide to shell out the $60 to stay the night. Ironically, the motel we stayed in at Haiwasse was $55 and about 1% as nice as this place. It's really great here. I just wish we had some steaks and shrimps in our bellies and didn't have to walk the extra 4 miles which brings our total milage today up to nearly a marathon!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Oy.
Hiked today: 12.6
Total hiked: 141.9
To katahdin: 2036.4
It was a hard day. 7.1 miles of straight uphill. I deleted the original message by accident so this will be short. Went up nearly 500 feet per mile. Want to get into fontana tomorrow so will wake early to hike the 22 miles.
This is the elevation profile of what I hikf today. That's 3000 feet down then up.
via BB
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tellico
Day 10
Hiked today : 21.6
Total hiked : 129.3
To katahdin: 2049.0
Today was a long day. Ron picked us up at 7:30 but we had to pick up some other hikers and loop around which took 2 hours. We heard some fairly interesting stories ron had to tell along the way. One of which was basically the entire history of Tellico gap, which is where we were going to pick up those hikers. So for about and hour he enthusiastically told us everything there is to know. Since Andy doesn't have a trail name, he dubbed him Tellico. After passing where the uni-bomber from Atlanta's hiding cave, we started towards winding gap which is where we were getting off
So we got to the AT at 9:30 but with fresh legs and full bellies we trucked on. It was by no means flat, but we were determined to make it past the 20 mile marker. When we passed a shelter about 12 miles in we decided to stop for lunch. Here we met shepherd. He hiked the AT and ended in December. He then realized he hated society and came back a month later to do it again. He was nice and funny, a hippie mixed with a mountainman. Kind of sad that he didn't really have anything to keep him home, but as long as he is happy I suppose.
We passed tellico gap which was kind of annoying since we were there this morning. After a few miles from there we got to a fire tower and since the fog lifted we were able to see for miles all around. We got to camp just before the sun set and ate our food. Now we will sleep well. The smokies are in a few days which wll be difficult but welcomed since we are growing tired of the same scenery.
via BB
Hiked today : 21.6
Total hiked : 129.3
To katahdin: 2049.0
Today was a long day. Ron picked us up at 7:30 but we had to pick up some other hikers and loop around which took 2 hours. We heard some fairly interesting stories ron had to tell along the way. One of which was basically the entire history of Tellico gap, which is where we were going to pick up those hikers. So for about and hour he enthusiastically told us everything there is to know. Since Andy doesn't have a trail name, he dubbed him Tellico. After passing where the uni-bomber from Atlanta's hiding cave, we started towards winding gap which is where we were getting off
So we got to the AT at 9:30 but with fresh legs and full bellies we trucked on. It was by no means flat, but we were determined to make it past the 20 mile marker. When we passed a shelter about 12 miles in we decided to stop for lunch. Here we met shepherd. He hiked the AT and ended in December. He then realized he hated society and came back a month later to do it again. He was nice and funny, a hippie mixed with a mountainman. Kind of sad that he didn't really have anything to keep him home, but as long as he is happy I suppose.
We passed tellico gap which was kind of annoying since we were there this morning. After a few miles from there we got to a fire tower and since the fog lifted we were able to see for miles all around. We got to camp just before the sun set and ate our food. Now we will sleep well. The smokies are in a few days which wll be difficult but welcomed since we are growing tired of the same scenery.
via BB
Friday, February 13, 2009
Ron Haven
Day 0
Last night we got our pizza. I must say, it was the best pizza in the world. On half of it we had pinapple, ham and bacon, and on the other half we had peppers, caramalized onions, and sausage. In addition to that we had 8 wings, and 8 beers. Needless to say, we had talked to Ron about staying an extra night and we worked something out.
We were sitting outside the room drinking a beer and Ron came out of the office after talking to a few other people and started talking to us. He said that since its the slow season he's not making a lot of money so can't give us the room for free, but said $20 will cover the night. So for a total of $16 for each of us per night, we were able to stay two nights and get our zero day. Then he began to tell us stories. He got into them and excited and made faces and all sorts of funny stuff. He offered to help us in anyway possible, and we realized that he is one of the most well known guys on the AT for a reason.
Last night we played rock paper scissors to find out who would get up to tell the couple who offered to drive us we weren't going, and Andy lost. So he went out at 7:30 to tell them, which we didn't feel bad about because they were right next door anyway. After about an extra half hour of sleep, we realized we felt like we slept in too much and got up for the day.
The day was fairly relaxed. Even though it was our off day, we walked to the outfitter which was 1.7 miles one way so I can get an extra shirt I needed, and then we went to the post office to drop some weight and weigh our packs. The weights for our packs are as follows:
Ian: Base Weight: 23.5 lbs
w/food+water: 37 lbs
Andy: Base Weight: 26 lbs
w/food+water: 41 lbs
We were pretty happy with these weights. We had full water and 4 days worth of food for the both of us so by the end of the day our packs weight less and by the time we are ready to resupply our packs are really close to our base weights.
We will head out in the morning after more relaxation and food. Fontana Dam is our next stop which is right before the Smoky Mountains. The weather forcasted is 3 of the 6 days we will be there it will be rainy/snowy and the other half will be sunny. It will probably be in the low 20's at night. So it's really a mixed weather report. The weather up there can change in an hour too so it really depends on the day. Other than the 100 mile stretch later on, this is probably the longest we will have to go without resupplying (6 days.)
In short, thanks to Ron Haven for the help and stories!
Last night we got our pizza. I must say, it was the best pizza in the world. On half of it we had pinapple, ham and bacon, and on the other half we had peppers, caramalized onions, and sausage. In addition to that we had 8 wings, and 8 beers. Needless to say, we had talked to Ron about staying an extra night and we worked something out.
We were sitting outside the room drinking a beer and Ron came out of the office after talking to a few other people and started talking to us. He said that since its the slow season he's not making a lot of money so can't give us the room for free, but said $20 will cover the night. So for a total of $16 for each of us per night, we were able to stay two nights and get our zero day. Then he began to tell us stories. He got into them and excited and made faces and all sorts of funny stuff. He offered to help us in anyway possible, and we realized that he is one of the most well known guys on the AT for a reason.
Last night we played rock paper scissors to find out who would get up to tell the couple who offered to drive us we weren't going, and Andy lost. So he went out at 7:30 to tell them, which we didn't feel bad about because they were right next door anyway. After about an extra half hour of sleep, we realized we felt like we slept in too much and got up for the day.
The day was fairly relaxed. Even though it was our off day, we walked to the outfitter which was 1.7 miles one way so I can get an extra shirt I needed, and then we went to the post office to drop some weight and weigh our packs. The weights for our packs are as follows:
Ian: Base Weight: 23.5 lbs
w/food+water: 37 lbs
Andy: Base Weight: 26 lbs
w/food+water: 41 lbs
We were pretty happy with these weights. We had full water and 4 days worth of food for the both of us so by the end of the day our packs weight less and by the time we are ready to resupply our packs are really close to our base weights.
We will head out in the morning after more relaxation and food. Fontana Dam is our next stop which is right before the Smoky Mountains. The weather forcasted is 3 of the 6 days we will be there it will be rainy/snowy and the other half will be sunny. It will probably be in the low 20's at night. So it's really a mixed weather report. The weather up there can change in an hour too so it really depends on the day. Other than the 100 mile stretch later on, this is probably the longest we will have to go without resupplying (6 days.)
In short, thanks to Ron Haven for the help and stories!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Franklin, NC
Day 9
hiked today: 8.4
hiked total: 107.7
to katahdin: 2071.3
Today we woke up a little later than usual since neither of us heard the alarm go off. It wasn't rainy or foggy so we knew it was going to be nice. We got packed up and started on the short day to Franklin. Finally, we were able to see the views of NC (which pretty much looked the same as GA) because the fog was gone. It was sunny and cool all day. We startled some birds that were fairly large, but when they flapped their wings it sounded like a huge humming bird. Not sure what kind it was, but it was loud, and fast. Other than that, the trail was pretty fast and dry. We got to Winding Stair Gap at 11:15 and sat down to call some of the hostels. The guy at the Budget Inn said there wasn't any work for stay available, but later on we talked to Ron Haven and it looks like it might be possible to get a zero day after all! (After 114 miles, Andy needs one too) We got ready to hitch over to Franklin which is about 10 miles East of the trail, and stood there for about 20 minutes when a little car pulls over just far enough ahead so we weren't sure if they were stopping for us, or to get on the trail which was just ahead. A woman gets out and waves us over, so we start walking over. Soon enough, I realize its Jen from Mountain Crossings! She was shuttling a guy we passed on the trail who was section hiking to Franklin to pick up his car. It was funny, and very fortunate, to run into her. She drove us to the Budget Inn, and then he drove us to the outfitter to resupply.
After we got a few things at the outfitter, we got a large meal at Sonics (something we have both seen copious amounts of commercials for, but never have actually been to) and then walked over to the Ingles to get some food for the next few days. Instead of walking the 2 miles back to the hotel, we went back to the outfitters to see if one of the nice ladies working there were able to drive us over. Unfortunately, they weren't, but one of them called her mother to pick us up! Her father hiked the trail last year, so they were big on Trail Magic. After talking to the two women for a little while, the mother came and picked us up to bring us over to the hotel. Unfortuantely, we forgot to get all of their names so I can thank them here, but gave the mom this site so maybe she will comment to make their names known!
We plan to get a large pizza with more toppings then I care to type out and sleep well. Hopefully we will be able to have a zero day, if not, a nice man named Deakon will pick us up at 7:30. We met him at the outfitter, and his wife is starting right where we left off tomorrow so they offered to pick us up on the way.
Edit: The girls names were Becky and Jamaica, and Becky's mom is Susan, so thank you all!
hiked today: 8.4
hiked total: 107.7
to katahdin: 2071.3
Today we woke up a little later than usual since neither of us heard the alarm go off. It wasn't rainy or foggy so we knew it was going to be nice. We got packed up and started on the short day to Franklin. Finally, we were able to see the views of NC (which pretty much looked the same as GA) because the fog was gone. It was sunny and cool all day. We startled some birds that were fairly large, but when they flapped their wings it sounded like a huge humming bird. Not sure what kind it was, but it was loud, and fast. Other than that, the trail was pretty fast and dry. We got to Winding Stair Gap at 11:15 and sat down to call some of the hostels. The guy at the Budget Inn said there wasn't any work for stay available, but later on we talked to Ron Haven and it looks like it might be possible to get a zero day after all! (After 114 miles, Andy needs one too) We got ready to hitch over to Franklin which is about 10 miles East of the trail, and stood there for about 20 minutes when a little car pulls over just far enough ahead so we weren't sure if they were stopping for us, or to get on the trail which was just ahead. A woman gets out and waves us over, so we start walking over. Soon enough, I realize its Jen from Mountain Crossings! She was shuttling a guy we passed on the trail who was section hiking to Franklin to pick up his car. It was funny, and very fortunate, to run into her. She drove us to the Budget Inn, and then he drove us to the outfitter to resupply.
After we got a few things at the outfitter, we got a large meal at Sonics (something we have both seen copious amounts of commercials for, but never have actually been to) and then walked over to the Ingles to get some food for the next few days. Instead of walking the 2 miles back to the hotel, we went back to the outfitters to see if one of the nice ladies working there were able to drive us over. Unfortunately, they weren't, but one of them called her mother to pick us up! Her father hiked the trail last year, so they were big on Trail Magic. After talking to the two women for a little while, the mother came and picked us up to bring us over to the hotel. Unfortuantely, we forgot to get all of their names so I can thank them here, but gave the mom this site so maybe she will comment to make their names known!
We plan to get a large pizza with more toppings then I care to type out and sleep well. Hopefully we will be able to have a zero day, if not, a nice man named Deakon will pick us up at 7:30. We met him at the outfitter, and his wife is starting right where we left off tomorrow so they offered to pick us up on the way.
Edit: The girls names were Becky and Jamaica, and Becky's mom is Susan, so thank you all!
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