SUMMARY. Mar. 25 - 30, 2016. Newfound Gap to Hot Springs, 274.6 hiked / 1,893.4 to go.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. I feel great. I am 1 day ahead of my schedule A, the faster one. According to it my zero day should be on the 31st and not the 30th.

 

Zero day. I wasn't sure if I thought zero days were important or not. Now I decided they are important. I arrived in the afternoon. I was very tired, hurting, and discouraged. I got my wash done, ate good, got unpacked, showered, and rested that evening. The second day I recovered. It was great.

 

When I arrived in Gatlinburg this is what was hurting. My middle toes on my left foot. My middle toe on my right foot. My ham string on my left leg. Both knees. My feet were swollen. I had a couple of blisters that were still healing. After a full day I was amazed how my body rebounded and every pain went away. By the time it was time to hike I felt great and was excited about starting out.

 

I am convinced that a zero day is a life savor and helps.

 

My adventure is starting to transition from the struggle of the hike each day to events and people. I was hoping that would eventually happen. I am actually being able to think on my climbs about other things than climbing and breathing.

 

Wed. Mar. 30, Dayn 20, Zero Day, Hot Springs, N.C.

Good to get some rest. Need to recover from hurting ankle and sore left knee. Took some Aleve tonight. That seemed to help.

 

It is interesting that there is no t-mobile, AT&T, and very little Verizon coverage here. The hotels do not have wi-if. I am in a hotel room next to the public library so I can use their wi-if. I have to stand next to the window to make it work. I didn't know there was somewhere in the US that didn't have phone coverage. People very friendly.

 

Not as many pains in Hot Springs as in Gatlinburg. That is good . I still have pains, but not as bad as Gatlinburg. I do now have a pressure point on my right inside ankle where the top of my boot hits. Started hurting yesterday. Very painful today, 29th. Hopefully will pass. I am going to tape a piece of cotton over it.

 

Very busy day, and didn't get it all done. Though hiking the AT I still have life to manage. Many of the other hikes seem to just relax with nothing else to do. Time to go to dinner, and then come back to organize food and pack for tomorrow.

 

Tue. Mar. 29, Day 19, Hot Springs, N.C., 18 miles, 5:30 hours, 3.27 mph, 273.7 hiked / 1,894.3 to go.

I saw two different families with cute little girl hikers today. The first one was being led by their 5 year old daughter with coat, ski type hat, and back pack CRYING while hiking. I talked with her. When asked if she was going to have a fun day she said yes. My guess was she was cold. The family had a 5 and 3 year old and was carrying a 5 1/2 month old. The parents had thru hiked the trail back in 09.

 

The other family was similar. When I talked with the 5 year old girl she proudly showed me her full colorful back pack. Both very cute.

 

Papa keeps thinking that I need my kids here so I could hitch them up like Santa hitched up his rein deer. Then you could pull me up these mountains like the rein deer pull Santa through the sky.

 

One of the many views of the trail.

 

 

Pop corn popping in Hot Springs, N.C.

 

 

Mon. Mar. 28, Day 18, Roaring Fork Shelter, 18.7 miles, 8:55 hours, 2.10 mph, 255.7 hiked / 1,912.3 to go.

Tyler, do you remember the hike in the Saw Tooths when we stopped to fish and a rodent chewed through an outside pocket on your pack and into you GORP? Guess what. It happened to me. Here is the story.

 

In the shelters everyone hangs up their packs so mice will not get to them. We also hang up our food in separate bags so bears and mice do not get to them. I had my pack hung up. I had forgotten and left a zip lock bag of trail mix in a mesh pocket on my pack belt. The trail mix was an oriental spicy mix. I had added some salted nuts. During the night I had heard a mouse running around overhead. Twice, I turned on my light, but couldn't see it. The next day when hiking I pulled out my trail mix to eat. I noticed there were no nuts in it. I figured I had forgotten to mix nuts in that package. Only, after I had eaten all of the mix did I notice a hole in the plastic. I immediately thought of a mouse and thought it would have had to eaten through my pocket. Sure enough. Here is a picture. I hope I don't get sick from mouse whatever.

 

 

Left Grand Smokey National Park. It is a beautiful park. Hiking on the ridge line was very inspiring, though tough. I could see coming back here with Linda to enjoy it.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENT: My app, Guthook's AT trail comes in 9 sections for the different maps. I have finished the first section which ends at Standing bear farm.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENT: I crossed my first freeway. I have been wondering why I haven't had to cross one. It was I-40.

 

 

 

We are at lower elevation and I am seeding some leaves popping out. Here are some buds.

 

 

Look at what I found at the top of a tough climb! My guess is it's name is the Smokey VOR since it is just north of the park. It seemed to still be operating as it was buzzing. With GPS used now the VORs are becoming antiquated.

 

 

Sun. Mar. 27, Day 17, Davenport Port Gap Shelter, 14.8 miles, 6:05 hours, 2.43 mph, 237.0 hiked / 1,931.0 to go.

Tougher day today. More and steeper climbs. I made good time and was the first person at the shelter. I had time to change clothes and relax. I got there at 1520. It was nice to have the extra time. Here ar my clothes drying after sweating in them all day. (Yes, I have some other clothes on. :-)).

 

Left timber Forrest, back to a no leaves deciduous trees forrest.

 

I am meeting a lot of interesting people. One of them told me I should write about them. Here it goes.

 

Napster. He is from Southern Germany.

 

Spielberg. He is Virginia. He is doing a you tube of his hike. His you tube link is craig'sappalachiantrailthruhike2016. Check it out.

 

Doctor G. Spent one night with him at Davenport Shelter. It is the last shelter in Smokey National park.

 

Many miles. Spent one night with him at Davenport Shelter. It is the last shelter in Smokey National park. He is hiking with Doctor G.

 

Amy. Young lady I crossed several times on the trail.

 

Iron Will. A young lady that I saw at Davenport shelter. She got there after dark and chose to sleep outside in her tent rather than the shelter. She has served in the Peace Corp and lived on four different continents.

 

Jessy & Tulip. Tulip is a pit bull dog. White and cream color. Very friendly. Dogs are not allowed in the Smokey National Park. They had to hike around it. They are hiking with Iron Will, who met up with them after the park.

 

I have also met a red. Called that because of his red hair. His hiking buddy took on the name of blue to make it easy.

 

D squared lives with in the area and also Idaho.

 

Billtie. He met up with D squared the first day on the trail and are now hiking together. He is from Australia.

 

Sat. Mar. 26, Day 16, Tri-Corner Shelter, 15.1 miles, 7:05 hours, 2.13 mph, 222.2 hiked / 1945.8 to go.

I got a ride from NOC back to New Found Gap. I started hiking at 10:40. At the gap there were many people visiting. One family talked to me about thru hiking the trail, and took my picture by a sign that showed the distance to Kitihad peak, the ending point. It was over 1,900 miles. It was cool they wanted my picture. I wish I had them take a picture with my camera.

 

It was a great day. There was a climb at the first and then pretty much medium to moderate climbs and descents. The trails were in good condition. No snow, slush, or mud. Weather was good. Great hiking day.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENT: 10% of the hike is done. That doesn't sound like a lot, but to an engineer like me 10% is when you start making measurements. Besides, hiking over 216.8 miles in 16 days sounds pretty good to me. :-).

 

There was two choices For shelters today. One at 10 miles, and the other at 15 miles. I choose to do the 15 miles.

 

Here is something really neat. See the pictures. The trail is right on the ridge of the mountains in the Smokeys. There are many places were the ridge is only as wide as the trail. It is wide enough, but no extra. On one side it drops straight off, and the other side drops off at an 80º drop off, almost straight down. It is neat to look on both sides and see great vistas.

 

 

 

 

 

Fri. Mar. 25, Day 15, Zero Day, Gatlingburg, N.C.

Good zero day. Read summary for my thoughts on zero days. Got laundry done, caught up on blog, ate good, dried out equipment, got food box, healed, and rested. I bought some extra cliff bars to supplement my food.

 

Gatlingburg is a resort town. Here is a picture of Main Street. It was extremely busy. I didn't care for it.

 

 

I was ready to go following my zero day in Gatlingburg.

 

CATCH UP 3-30-2016.

I missed putting this in. As walking down the trail another hiker showed me a snake he had discovered on the trail. He said he recognized the markings and it was poisonous. I didn't think it was. Okay, Papa's snake experts. See if you can find out what kind of snake this is and if it is poisonous. It was small, less than 2 feet long. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Summary. Mar. 18 - Mar. 24, 2016. Rock Gap to Newfound Gap, 207.1 hiked / 1960.9 to go. Mar. 18 - Mar. 24, 2016. Rock Gap to Newfound Gap, 207.1 hiked / 1960.9 to go.

Less than 2,000 miles to go. That makes me feel like I have accomplished some miles. I started on Mar. 11th. 14 days hiking. Not counting zero days, 2, that is 14.8 mpd. That is more than most people are doing. It is pretty close to my plan A. My body feels it. This next section I am going to follow my plan B which covers 10 to 15 mpd rather than 18 or 20 mpd. It will give me more time for camping and body recovery.

 

Tyler asked if I was able to keep my goal. Nope, not even close. I had hoped to hike 3 mph. On the level, or slight up or down hill I do, even better. Up hill I slow, even to probably 1/2 mph on the steep. I am average about 2 mph at the end of the day. That includes all of the stops to visit, pump water, change clothes, ect. I feel good about my pace. Some other hikers are going faster, and some are going slower.

 

Nathan asked why so many miles per day. The answer is the logistics of locations. Example. I had to get from Dick's Creek Gap to Rock Gap which is 36.4 miles. Two choices. Two days of 18 miles each, or three days of 12 miles each. Also, with 18 miles I had better camping at Standing Indian Mountain. I chose 2 days. This next section I am going for less miles to try it out. See if my feet and knees feel better.

 

I love my tent as I have mentioned. It did a great job in the snow. The best part is the room. I see other campers squeeze into their one man tents. I am very happy to carry the extra weight. Every night I get to unpack and spread out my stuff.

 

My sleeping bag. Great bag, but not as warm as I thought it would be. I have it figured out. I wear my base layer, fleece, beany, two pairs of socks, and put my down coat over the bottom of the bag. I sleep the night through nice and warm. The design is great, but adds to the cold of it. No zipper so the heat escapes. I will live with it because it is so rooming. The best feature is the sleeve for my sleeping pad. I can turn, which I do, as much as I want, and always stay on the pad. I would never buy another bag without that feature. I do wish I had a full length pad. I didn't think it would bother me, but my feet resting on the hard surface will wake me up. I am putting bags of clothing inside my bag so my toes can rest on those. It is working so far.

 

New term. They do not call their mountain tops top, or peaks. They call them balds. New term like gap. :-).

 

Thu. Mar. 24, Day 14, Newfound Gap, 12.1 miles, 6:35 hours, 1.83 mph, 207.0 hiked / 1,960.1 to go.

Stayed on the ridge line while hiking. In the morning the winding was very strong. Being on the ridge you really feel it. For the first couple hours the clouds were moving over the tops. I was sure it was going to start to rain. It is above freezing. It then cleared out and the sun came out. It was great.

 

While hiking today I left the forrest with deciduous trees, trees that lose their leaves in the winter, and entered into a lush timber Forrest. It was like walking through a door. Left one room and entered another. Since then I have been in a beautiful timber Forrest. None of the deciduous trees have had leaves, and it has been barren. The timber Forrest reminded me of Washington state with moss. It is very pretty. With the wind blowing I could smell the pine.

 

Beautiful

 

 

Trail still snowy and slushy

 

There were a couple steep climbs as we stayed on the ridge line. Don't like those. The trail was also tough in some areas with large rocks and timber step ups and downs. There were some steps that my grand children could not have done. The short 12 miles was nice. Went by quickly.

 

From Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg, TN I hitch hiked. It was that or $40 cab fee. There was a large parking lot. I cleaned off my shoes in the snow, best I could and stood by the exit of the lot. The very first car that looked like it had an empty back seat I asked. They said yes. They were great. They had a daughter in the back seat that I couldn't see. She was almost 10. Daisy. The husband was originally from Poland, Jan. The wife who said yes right away was Holly. Jan asked me to email them about my hike. I am going to send them my blog link. They drove me right to my hotel. I didn't have my map orientated and they ended up driving all the way through town and back to take me to my hotel. That took 1/2 hour at least because of the traffic. It was very busy.

 

Newfound Gap in Great Smokey National Park

 

Gatlinburg is a resort town. It sits on the edge of the Park. As we drove down there were several places you could stop. Very pretty. I was glad I didn't have to hike to the top, but wait I did just a couple days before. A couple thousand feet elevation. WOW.

 

Wed. Mar. 23, Day 13, Siler's Bald Shelter, 17.7 miles, 9:55 hours, 1.73 mph, 195 hiked / 1,973 to go.

Trail is still slushy and muddy from the snow. Easier day than the previous where I climbed up from Fontana Dam.

 

I liked the shelter camping. I stayed a second night in a shelter. I didn't think I would. People are nice and accommodating. I have no trouble sleeping. It reminds me of pictures I saw of slave ships where each person got a slot to sleep. It is much better than it sounds. It is nice to have the wind kept out. Very windy on the ridges of the highest mountains. I don't know why they put the shelters there. They are partially stone built, and very sturdy. The very large tarp they put up to cover the front flapped all night in the wind. You just have to sleep through it. Very loud. It was nice not to have to put up my tent.

 

Tue. Mar. 22, Day 12, Mollies Ridge Shelter, 15.3 miles, 8:18 hours, 1.84 mph, 177.3 hiked / 1990.7 to go. Climbed 2,897 feet. On Tennessee / North Carolina border.

Fontana Dam

The mountain I climbed after crossing the dam.

 

 

Fontana Lake

Trail - muddy, slushy, snowing. Yucky.

 

One tough day. Climbed for ever. A tough 15 miles. The day was beautiful with mostly clear skies and the sun out. But, the trail was terrible. With snow two nights ago the trail was either snow, slush, or mud. My right foot was okay as I splashed my way through. My right foot was another story. With the leak my foot got wet. Third day I have had a dry left foot, and a wet right foot. It isn't as bad as it sounds though.

 

I am spending my first night in a shelter. It is a very nice shelter. I sleeps about 16. There is a large tarp over the front. There is a fire place. A man made a fire. A nice touch. The shelter is right on the ridge. The wind is blowing hard. If I was in my tent it would be getting blown very hard.

 

My pains move around. Yesterday, my left knee started hurting. Still hurting today. Also toes on left foot. But, they will pass, as many other pains have.

 

Today we sort of crossed into Tennessee. The ridge line that the AT is on through the Smoky National Park is also the border for North Carolina and Tennessee.

 

A couple accomplishments. Entered into "The Great Smoky National Park. I will be in the park for 7 plus days. The park is the most visited national park in the US and has the highest elevations on the AT. Entered state #3.

 

Monday, Mar. 21, Day 11, Creek near Walker Gap, 18.0 miles, 9:08 hours, 1.98 mph, 162.0 hiked / 2006 to go.

It was a beautiful morning with the fresh snow.

 

Tough day. I felt more tired than I did yesterday. My body is doing good, though my feet felt extra sore.

 

It was cold. Even though I used my water bladder for breakfast when I went to take a drink while hiking it was frozen. It took 2 hours for it got thaw. I was just about going to stop and take it out of the pack to fix it when it's freeded up.

 

I choose to hike 18 miles today so tomorrow I would only have to hike 15. I could have done it the other way. Tomorrow is climbing. We enter Smokies National Park. It is the most visited park in the country. Extra rules.

 

Where my tent was.

The trail in the morning.

 

 

Sunday, Mar. 20, Day 10, Sassafras Gap shelter, 23.2 Miles, 10:56 hours, 2.13 mph, 144.0 hiked / 2,024 to go. Snowed about 1" tonight.

A very rough day. Didn't plan it that way, but it was. Left Wayah shelter at a good time, 8:34. Weather was pretty good. Cloudy and cold. I hiked with no coat as I stay warm while hiking.

 

At NOC. This river is suppose to be the best white water in the south.

 

My initial goal was Nantahala Outdoor Center, NOC, NC. That was 16 miles. I didn't want to rent a room though. As I hiked I figured I would not stop at 5 hours for water so I could get there sooner. I ran out of water at 6 hours. I got there at 6 1/2 hours. When I checked the next camp area it was Sassafras shelter and was 6.9 miles away. The main problem was that it was an uphill climb. WHAT WAS I THINKING?? I figured I could do it in 3 hours. I would check in 2 hours and see how fast I was going. At 2 hours I had gone 3.7 miles. By then I had decided if I could just get there by 1930 I would be okay. At about 1830 it started to snow lightly. I had snowed very lightly a couple times during the day. I just kept hiking. I got to the sheltered at 1930. 25 minutes before dark. It was crowded as I expected. When I asked, no one knew of a level spot. I walked down a steep path next to the stream and found a perfect spot far away from the group. I was able to get water there. I hurried and got water, and then set up my tent as it continued to snow lightly. I finished just as it got dark. I had to put on my head lamp to brush off my pack to put it in the tent. I managed to brush out the snow that had gotten into the tent. I sat in my tent and boiled some water just outside the door under my door. Went well. I ate two Cup of Noodles. I was hunger and tired. As it snowed during then night I would tap the tent to slide the snow down. It packed down the ends of the tent, which caught in some heat, but also caused condensation in the tent, which froze on the ceiling of the tent. Not sure what will happen in the morning. It will probably still be frozen when I pack it. I kept waking up every so often and would listen to see if it was still snowing. At 0200 it was time to use the bathroom and it had stopped snowing. I did a check inside the tent and all was very dry. Great, it had done it's job. I got on my rain gear and ventured outside. I bushed back all of the snow, tighten up the tent tie downs which I didn't do when setting up because of it snowing. All in all it went very well.

 

My legs and feet did well. My blister on the back of my right heel didn't hurt much. I hope that means it is healing well. I expected it to bother me for a couple more days. The 3 middle toes on the left foot are hurting when going down hill. I think the middle one is digging into the long toe. Maybe tape it up.

 

Saturday, Mar. 19, Day 9, Wayah Shelter, 14.6 miles, 6:40 hours, 2.19 mph, 120.8 hiked / 2,047.2 to go.

Pretty good day. Had two long climbs, but they were not to steep, so I survived. They do not do switch backs here like in the west. They just head up the ridge. This makes for some very steep climbs. I am still trying to build up my lungs. Doing better, but they are tough.

 

 

 

WAYAH BALD

More great views

 

This morning for about 4 hours I was walking in the clouds. It wasn't raining. It was like being in the fog. It was cold. I was in the top of the mountains and the clouds were passing through. I was glad when about 1300 the clouds cleared.

 

I got into camp early. It allowed me to work on my blog.

 

My right heel is still hurting from my blister. I have a 2nd skin patch on it and have it taped up with athletic tape. It didn't come loose at all. I figure it will take a week got stop hurting.

 

I had phone reception at Wayah Shelter tonight. I made several phone calls. Linda, Tyler's family, Mark Oakes. I hope later in the week I do not wish I hadn't made them because my battery runs down to much.

Pretty cold. Tree next to Wayah Bald Tower. Note frost on branches, Also note no leaves yet.

 

 

 

Friday, Mar. 18, Day 8, Zero day, Franklin, NC. .2 miles from shelter to road.

I ended having a zero day that I wasn't planning on. In Hiawassee, GA they said they could ship a box to their Franklin Budget Inn. Sounded great. I figured I could hike a little today and then get their shuttle. They recommended picking it up at Rock Gap. It does show the Rock Gap is .2 miles from the Rock Gap Shelter. I still consider it a zero day.

 

The owner of the Hiawassee and Frankin Budget Inns, Ron, is a very nice guy. He drove the shuttle that picked us up, and then did a 4 pm shuttle around town. He ran for county commissioner, but lost. His wife was on the shuttle around town. They have 2 twin boys that are seniors in high school. The town is very friendly to thru hikers. I am finding that with the smaller towns.

 

 

Summary. Mar. 15 - Mar. 17, 2016. Dick's Creek Gap to Rock Gap, 106.2 hiked / 2061.8 to go.

Keith S. You would fit in back here. Most hikers use hiking poles. I swear it slows them down. Maybe not, just looks like it.

 

I am feeling much better this section versus the first. I am doing better hiking up hill, actually enjoying the gradual climbs. Feet getting to feel more normal. I except the feet to be sore every night of this hike. Hope I am wrong.

 

Skin dryness. Out west I always debated whether to take lotion because of the weight. I did take some for this trip, but haven't used it yet, and do not feel I will need to. Also not using much chap stick. I am guessing it is from the higher humidity. It has been cold so it hasn't bothered me. Summer will be miserable.

 

Thursday, Mar. 17, Day 7, Rock Gap shelter, 18.1 miles, 7:35 hours, 2.38 mph, 106.0 hiked / 2,062 to go.

Accomplishment today. Passed the first 100 miles. 1,000 would be better, but I am happy to start with 100.:-).

 

We had the toughest climb yet. It almost took the use of hands to do it. In a couple places I did use my hands. At the top was the Albert Mountain Forest Service Fire tower. It was not occupied. Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except for that the trail was very reasonable. I made good time and got my 18.1 miles done by 1650. I enjoyed the extra time. I stayed at a shelter for the first time. There were about 15 people there. They were all nice, but I think to many for me. The shelter was what I expected. I will stay at them if it works out, but will stay some where else if possible. A lot of social activity that isn't important to me.

 

Wednesday, Mar. 16, Day 6, Standing Indian Mountain, 18.3 miles, 9 hours, 2.03 mph, 87.9 hiked / 2080.1 to go, GA. / N.C. border.

Great accomplishment today. I crossed from George into North Carolina. That is one state down out of 14.

 

 

I was surprised when I crossed the state border. I thought that would happen in a couple more days. As I was approaching the border a couple hikers commented you are almost to the North Carolina border. I still thought they were meaning in a day or so. As I came to the marker there were some hikers cheering. I don't think they were thru hikers. They were college age. They were doing a happy dance. It wasn't much of a sign. I would have probably missed it if they weren't there.

 

Once we got into N.C. I was curious if the trail would change. Within a mile we had a killer of a steep climb. I thought I was doing good, until then. In NC they do not seem to climb to the top of every mountain. Thank goodness. There are also more gradual climbs and descents. I can keep up that pace.

 

Standing Indian Mountain was a great camping spot. It was at 5,487' elevation. 1.000' higher than Blood Mountain in GA., the highest point in GA on the AT. There was one other couple there. It use to have a Forrest Service fire look out tower. The view was wonderful.

 

 

It was colder and my extra warm, extra light, and extra expensive sleeping bag didn't keep me warm. I had to put on my jacket. This is a great jacket. Thanks Bill Prowse for telling me about it. Very light, and yet very warm. One of my better buys.

 

Doing okay. Feeling very good. My right back heel hurts, but I think a callus has to form, then I will be okay.

 

Tuesday, Mar. 15, Day 5, Hiawassee, GA. Zero day.

It was a good, but busy day. I got my blog figured out and caught up, did laundry, ate a couple good meals, bought some items including some fruit, soaked in a tub, and slept. I am not sure how I am going to feel about zero days. I am thinking of trying to make the zero afternoons. A lot will tell by how much rest my body needs. It needed a lot on today.

 

Summary for first 4 days, Mar. 11-14, Springer Mountain, 69.6 miles, 69.6 hiked / 2,098.4 to go.

Not many days for writing a summary on.

 

First I am very happy with my pace. I was suppose to arrive at Dick's Creek Gap on the morning of my 6th day. I got here on the night of my fourth day. I cut out a day. I don't expect that to happen again as I had planned an easy first week. The rest of the plan matches the pace I had these four day.

 

I had a very tough time going up hills on the first day. I would take 40 steps and have to stop to breath. I am amazed how quickly my cardiovascular system has adapted. I am not walking up the hills, except for very steep ones, without stopping. I have to take baby steps to do it, and I am slow, but I am able to keep going. I hope to increase my stride.

 

I have come to realize that equipment will not last the entire AT. I have been told that most people go through 3 pairs of boots. With mine already having a leak I can believe it. My great light weight ground cover has ripped in two spots. One of my water pouches that I use to pump water from got a leak. At ever city there seems to be an outfitter. I know why.

 

Nathan, and Sharlyn, thanks for the towel - NOT. :-). It doesn't absorb. I will ship it home and have mom send out the purple one. I will keep the small one for a wash cloth.

 

I am also shipping home my red fleece. Didn't need it. It isn't that cold. There are some cold days coming up, but I believe I will be okay.

 

Gap. Another word for HELL. A gap is a low spot between two mountains. There usually is a road, and often a paved highway, that goes through a gap. To get to a gap there is always a steep descent to it, and then a steep climb out of it. The only good thing about them is that you can get a shuttle into a town at a gap.

 

For some reason they build their trails to go up over the mountain, and then down into a gap. I have been watching and have figured they could have kept the trail on pretty much the same elevation and gone around the mountain to the next gap. I guess someone figured we all like to climb to the top of the mountain for the great view. I can tell you one time would have been enough.

 

The area is beautiful, sort of. The leaves are not out yet. See pictures in earlier blogs. I am looking forward to see them come out the next couple weeks. The ground is covered with leaves that fell from last year. Mother would love that.

 

I have hiked 70 miles and haven't seen one river, or lake. There hasn't been any large wildlife. Maybe when the leaves come. I expected to see turkeys and deer.

 

My backpack weight is between 35 pounds and 40 pounds when I start with a new food group. I am happy with those weights.

 

My water bladder, 2 liters, is lasting 5 hours. Perfect. Once it gets hotter it will be shorter periods between pumping water. With it going for 5 hours I have to only stop once during the day.

 

You may wonder how you can hike so far and not worry about getting off the trail The trail is marked with white blazes. They are every .1 to .2 of a mile. A very good system. There have been a couple times I would have liked to seen them sooner. I never have to even look at my GPS app to determine if I am on the trail. I only use it to determine distances to where I might stop for the night.

 

Also to help they mark blue blazes on any side trails. Those would be crossing trails, trails to camping spots, or water. They are helpful.

 

Here is a couple pictures of white blazes.

 

 

Here is the routine I have got going so far.

 

1. I hike for 5 hours without stopping, except on steep inclines and then I try to take only 4 breaths before going again. When I say not stopping I mean exactly that. I do not sit, take off my backpack, or even just stand. Don't want to destroy my pace.

 

2. At 5 hours I stop at the next water spot. Take off my backpack and pump water.

 

3. I start eating my trail mix after the first hour of hiking. Food is fuel. I am not hungry, even at meal time. I am just tired. I have to force feed myself. The mule knows about that from when he was about 9 years old.

 

4. I start eating my lunch after 4 hours of hiking. I eat a part of it every 1/2 hour. I cannot eat while climbing. All my air goes to hiking. When I eat I take baby bites and chew a long time before swallowing. I then drink after the bite. This saves me having to stop to eat lunch. Stopping destroyed your pace.

 

That is it for a summary. I am sure they will get smaller.

 

Thanks for your interest.

 

Monday, Mar 14, Dick's Creek Gap, Day 4, 15.3 miles, 7:24 hours, 69.6 hiked / 2,098.4 to go, 2.07 mph.

I took to long in getting ready to start hiking. I cooked dinner from last night. I decided no cooking in the morning. Hot chocolate is out. Hope it doesn't get to cold.

 

I had to be to Dick's Gap by 5 pm. I had to keep a good pace. I did it. I got there at 1614.

 

I got a blister on each of my back upper heals. Very little pain, and the skin isn't torn up to much. I think some neosporene and taping it for a couple days will solve the problem.

 

Sunday, Mar. 13, Rocky Mountain, Day 3, 22.6 miles, 11:36 hours, 54.3 hiked / 2,113.7 to go, 1.93 mph. Heavy Rain.

We switched over to daylight savings last night. I started hiking as soon as it started to get light. That was 0754. I got dropped off at Neels Gap. It took me about 15 minutes to get my rain gear on. Then out in the heavy rain.

 

It wasn't bad hiking in the rain. I thought it would be.

 

I first found out that my right boot has a leak in the front right. Gradually my toes and right side of my foot got wet. I ended up getting a blister on the top of my smallest toe on my right foot. I think it was because it got wet.

 

As my children are always right, Tyler was right about taking an umbrella. I had a plastic cover for my hat and I didn't get wet from the rain. It was also windy. I would have been fighting the umbrella the entire time and it would have slowed me down. Thanks Tyler. Like he said: You don't need any stinking umbrella.

 

My rain gear worked, except it didn't breath as advertised. It advertised as the very most breathable rain gear. Still not very breathable. I ended up wet inside of it. Let me just say if your head was covered with it you would suffocate!

 

The rain stopped after about 2 1/2 hours. The rest of the day was nice.

 

About 1/2 hour into the hike my lower left back started hurting. I had the same pain the first day. It dawned on me that maybe I should stretch. With my backpack on I did my twisting stretch. It worked. The pain went away and didn't come back. One of my plans for the hike is to stretch every morning. I have a 15 minutes route with 30 seconds in each stretch position. The next morning I did it and felt much better as I started to hike.

 

The water wasn't at the camp. It was .8 miles before the camp. I had to fill up the water and carry it uphill. Of course part of the way up the plastics bucket collapsed loosing most of it's water. Fortunately, I had enough to get by and didn't have to go back. Many times the water isn't with the camp sights. Wish they were.

 

I got into camp a little before dark. I was able to put up my tent in the light, eat a power bar, hang my bear bag, and go to sleep. I was so tired after hiking 11 1/2 hours.

 

The next morning I ate my dinner.

 

Saturday, Mar. 12, Neels Gap, Day 2, 17.3 miles, 8:06 hours, 31.7 hiked / 2154.3 to go, 2.14 mph.

Good weather and a good day of hiking. After talking to a couple, Bombadill and his wife, whose name starts with a G and is something like Gigigan, talked to me about going to Neels Gap. Sounded good. There was a store there. I also got thinking they might have rooms. Hey, this hiking isn't about camping! If I can get a hotel, sign me up. Still no blisters or any other problems.

 

Today I hiked over the highest point on the AT in Georgia, Blood Mountain. It is 4,441' high. Are you impressed? To give you an idea of that altitude it is about the same as our home in Utah. As I remember we are at 4,426 feet.

 

Shelter on Blood Mountain. There are shelters along the AT. Many hikers plan their hikes around staying at shelters.

 

Saw a family at Blood Mountain. A dad and four children. Three girls and one boy. Only two would take a picture with me. The oldest got excited with I told her my oldest grand daughter was 10. She said she was almost 10. Their dad has had them hiking since 3.

 

 

Here is the view from Blood Moutain. Still winter here. No leaves. Over the next coupe weeks they will start coming. It will be neat to watch the barren forests become lush.

 

At Neels gap they were full. They were able to arrange a ride into town, Blairsille, GA, and make a room reservation at the Sunset Inn. I had a great night, did laundry, and ate at the America Catch. Had the Haul, which had oysters, crawfish, cat fish, shrimp, and calamari. It was excellent. I was surprised it would be so good in a small town. I rushed and got to bed quick. Slept 9 hours and could have slept more. I think 10 hours a night is going to be the desired sleep, and it is a solid 10 hours.

 

 

Neels Gap trading post. Hair still short, still not thin, tired, and excited about spending a night in a hotel rather than the trail.

 

The next morning it was pouring rain when my ride picked me up at 7:00 am.

 

Friday, Mar. 11, Devil Kitchen & Justin Creek, Day 1, 15.5 miles today, 6:551 hours now today, 14.5 hiked / 2171.5 to go, 2.38 mph.

A great first day. My driver, Marty _______________, phone #, address, who was a former Delta Pilot didn't charge me. He said it was non rev. I felt bad about it, but accepted it. I got on the trail at 9:39 am. Better than I thought I would.

 

To start at Springer you have to hike 1 mile backwards from the parking lot. You then sign the register, take some pictures and get going. There were a lot of people there. Fortunately, once you got on the trail you didn't see many. They didn't have the people numbered who were thru hikers. I would have liked to see what number I was. Lee Welch had told me they did.

 

 

 

I felt great about the day. No Chaffine, thanks Desidine. No blisters, thanks 2 pair of socks. No cramps or hurting joints.

 

I was exhausted though. I had breakfast, but didn't eat for the first 8 miles. All of a sudden I had no energy. I started eating my GORP and then lunch. My energy came back and I got a second wind. Lesson learned. I have to eat, even if I am not hungry. Food is fuel, period.

 

I hiked 15.5 miles today. I was planning on doing only 11. I had to go further so I could get to some water. Justin Creek is a good size creek and the camp ground is nice. There were leveled tents spots, very nice. Three other campers are here. All are single hikers. There is Savage. She is a young lady. I would say about 25. There is John, he didn't give me his trail name. Then there was Book Smart.

 

It is good weather. I rinsed out all of my clothes and left them bon a clothes line. They didn't dry, I am remembering about the humidity back here. I had to I put them on damp. That was okay, they felt cleaner.

 

Couple notes. 1. The great ground cloth already ripped. Will have to be careful and have the other sheet sent out. I guess the lesson is if it is to good to be true, It probably isn't. 2. The towels are not absorbent. They are light though. Will have to decide to keep, or add more weight. 3. Cambria, tell Lynlee I missed her help in setting up the tent. It isn't an easy tent to set up. Maybe after 20 times it will get easier. It will get tested in a couple days. On Sunday it is 100% chance of rain.

 

Just at Dusk I saw a black Salamander. I knew it was a Salamader because of a report Seth did and I helped. I think we even used a picture of this guy. What do you think Seth?

 

 

It is 2030 and I am tired. I managed to get my food cooked and eaten just before dark. I did hang my bear bag. You can be proud of me for that. Not sure how long I will keep that up. Savage hung hers up with mine.

Good night.