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.

 

Start of my AT adventure, Thursday, March 10, 2016. Disclaimer.

 

DISCLAIMER: This block is a journal as well as a blog. Therefore there are a lot of details for me. I will write a summary of each section when I do a zero day. Read that. It will be plenty for an overview of how my hiking is going.

 

Hi every one. Here is a picture of me when Seth dropped me off at 5:00 am at the SLC airport. Boy, don't I look fresh. Note that short hair cut. The commute was bad. Ended up going through CVG the ATL. Final got there late. I don't think I would have ever made the direct flight. Welcome to the world of retired non rev travel. Low position on the standby lists.

 

 

 

Thanks for your interest.

 

 

Updated Schedules with new dates, and food groups

Here are my new schedules, Plan A and Plan B. I have updated the dates and added food groups.

 

TRAIL HIKING PLAN A

NOTE: Flexibility is key for a hassle free hike.

The love of the hike and adventure, and not the schedule.

 

This is an aggressive hiking plan. Not sure I can do it in the Southern section of the AT called Southern Mountains. I have developed a Hiking plan B which doesn’t cover as many miles each day.

 

Total miles of trail: 2186.

Divided in three parts: Approximately 728.6 miles each.

Start March 11, 2016.

Section 1: Springer, Georgia to Daleville, VA. 727.8 miles. 8 weeks. Arrive First of May. Fly out of Richmond, VA.

Section 2: Daleville, VA. 727.8 miles to Kent, NY. 1467 miles. Fly out of JFK.

Section 3: Kent, NY., 1467 miles, to Katahdin, Maine. 2,186 miles.

 

Figure 18 miles a day. One day off a week. 108 miles a week. Note that the difficulty varies greatly along the trail. In some locations will do more miles, in others less. Total weeks will be 20 weeks = 5 months. Add 2 weeks for section 1 and 2 that makes the entire hike 6 months long. If I start the hike February 22, 2016 I will finish the end of August, 2016.

 

WEEK 1:

 

Day 1: Mar. 11, 2016. Friday. Drop off to Springer is 1 mile. Springer: N34.626705 W084.193848. Springer to Horse Gap parking 10.5 miles on trail. Horse Gap parking: N34.655613 W084.105659. Total day distance is 11.5 miles. The first week I am going to do less than 18 miles per day to get conditioned.

 

Day 2: Mar. 12. Lance Creek Restoration Area. N34.707863 W083.984970. 24.4 miles. 13.9 for day.

 

Day 3: Mar. 13. Sunday. Cowlick Mountain. N34.721588 W083.856453. 36.8 miles. 12.4 for day.

 

Day 4: Mar. 14. Blue Mountain shelter. N34.817234 W083.766769. 50.5 miles. 13.7 for day.

 

Day 5: Mar. 15. Addis Gap. 64.1 miles. N34.863258 W083.65029. 13.6 for today.

 

Day 6: Mar. 16. Dicks Creek Gap. 69.6 miles. N34.912163 W083.618896. 5.5 for day. .5 miles to Top of Georgia Hostel. Will spend two nights there in Hiawassee.

 

Day 7: Mar. 17. Zero day 1. Hiawassee, GA. Hiawassee Budget Inn. 193 South Main Street, 706 896-4121. PJ. Shuttle: 9, 11, 2 or 3, 5 or 6. Also Unicoi Gap. $40 cash, $45 CC. $10 box.

 

FOOD GROUP 2. days 8-16. 9 days.

 

WEEK 2:

 

Day 8: Mar. 18. Standing Indian Mountain. 87.9 miles. N35.035404 W083.538040. 18.3 for day. Want to make. Looks like great place to camp.

 

Day 9: Mar. 19, 2016. Fock Gap shelter. 106.0 miles. N35.091454 W083.523087. 18.1 for day.

 

Day 10: Mar. 20. Sunday. Wayah Shelter. 120.8 miles. N35.187855 W083.561966. 14.8 for day.

 

Day 11: Mar. 21. Nantahala Outdoor Center. 137.1 miles. N35.331223 W083.591896. 16.3 for day. Stay at hostel if available. Eat at restaurant.

 

Day 12: Mar. 22. Brown Fork Gap Shelter. 153.1 miles. N35.374058 W083.733849. 16 for day.

 

Day 13: Mar. 23. Birch Spring Tentsite. 171.9 miles. N35.502083 W083.814003. 18.8 for day.

 

Day 14: Mar. 24. Derrick Knob Shelter. 189.0 miles. N35.566532 W083.641823. 17.1 for day.

 

WEEK 3:

 

Day 15: Mar 25. Newfound Gap. 207.3 miles. N36.611187 W083.425255. 18.3 for day.

 

Day 16: Mar 26. Zero day 2. Gatlinburg, TN. or Cherokee, NC. Ship supplies to zero day city. App refers to Gatlinburg. Grand Prix Motel. 865 436-4561. Call for shuttle service. $30 from newfound gap. (Clingman’s Gap mile 201.1, before newfound gap) $40. 235 Ski Mountain Rd. Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Can mail packages there.

 

FOOD GROUP 3. Days 17-21. 5 days.

 

Day 17: Mar 27. Sunday. Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. 222.9 miles. N35.693832 W083.256569. 15.6 for day.

 

Day 18: Mar 28. Davenport shelter. 237.7 miles. N35.769577 W083.123268. 14.8 for day. (NOTE: Very bad reviews for Standing Bear Farm. 241.0 miles. Don’t stay there.)

 

Day 19: Mar 29. Roaring Fork Shelter. 256.4 miles. N35.804882 W082.949707. 18.7 for day.

 

Day 20: Mar. 30. Hot Springs, NC. 274.6 miles. N35.892399 W082.828049. 18.2 for day.

 

Day 21: Mar. 31. Zero Day 3. Stay at Hot Springs, NC. Sunny Bank Inn. 828 622-7206. P.O. Box 233, 26 Walnut St. Hot Springs, NC. 28743. Call from Standing Bear Hostel to make reservations - mile 240.3. $25 for private room.

 

FOOD GROUP 4. Days 22-29. 8 Days.

 

WEEK 4:

 

Day 22: Apr. 1. Little Laurel Shelter. 294.0 miles. N36.015133 W082.735924. 19.4 for day. No place to camp before it. Mom’s Store for a treat at Allen Gap. 289.1 miles.

 

Day 23. Apr. 2. Flint Mountain Shelter. 307.2 miles. N36.034882 W082.596619. 13.2 for day.

 

Day 24. Apr. 3. Sunday. Bald Mountain Shelter. 326.1 miles. N36.000114 W082.478104. 18.9 for day.

 

Day 25. Apr. 4. Uncle Johnny’s Hostel. 343.0 miles. N36.105637 W082.448456. 16.9 for day.

 

Day 26. Apr. 5. Cherry Gap Shelter. 360.0 miles. N36.129288 W082.263870. 17 for day.

 

Day 27. Apr. 6. Roan High Knob Shelter. 377.5 miles. N36105076 W082.122231. 17.5 for day.

 

Day 28. Apr. 7. US 19E. 393.8 miles. N36.177357 W082.011642. 16.3 for day.

 

WEEK 5:

 

Day 29. Apr. 8. Zero day 4. Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN. .5 miles to west. City Roan Mountain, TN to west, Elk Park, NC to east. Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN. 423 772-9494. 9151 Highway 19-E, Roan Mountain, TN 37687. 3 rooms, 8 beds in hostel, tents in back and can use showers. Call in advance to make reservations. Fills up fast.

 

FOOD GROUP 5. Days 30-35. 6 days.

 

Day 30. Apr. 9. Moreland Gap Shelter. 412.2 miles. N36.220200 W082.088303. 18.4 for day.

 

Day 31. Apr. 10. Sunday. Watauga Lake Shelter. 429.0 miles. N36.313862 W082.129517. 16.8 for day. Check, may be closed because of bear activity. Was closed in 2015.

 

Day 32. Apr. 11. Iron Mountain Shelter. 443.0 miles. N36.435379 W081.990936. 14 for day.

 

Day 33. Apr. 12. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 458.9 miles. N36.580978 W081.901711. 15.9 for day.

 

Day 34. Apr. 13. Damascus, VA. 469.1 miles. N36.635025 W081.789215. 10.2 for day

 

Day 35. Apr. 14. Zero day 5. Damascus, VA. Hikers Inn. 276 475-3788. hikersinn@gmail.com. PO Box 396, 216 E. Laurel Ave., Damascus, VA 24236.

 

FOOD GROUP 6. Days 36-46. 10 Days.

 

WEEK 6:

 

Day 36. Apr. 15. Campsite. 487.5 miles. N36.639397 W081.638908. 18.4 for today.

 

Day 37. Apr. 16. Old Orchard Shelter. 508.5 miles. N36.683231 W081.510887. 21 for today.

 

Day 38. Apr. 17. Sunday. Campsites. two at 525.1 & 525.3. 525.1 miles. N36.772396 W081.488831. 16.6 for today.

 

Day 40. Apr. 18. Campsite. 544.5 miles. N36.904240 W081.371826. 19.4 for today.

 

Day 41. Apr. 19. Campsite. 562.7 miles. N37.031288 W081.422829. 18.2 for today.

 

Day 42. Apr. 20. Jenkins Shelter. 577.1 miles. N37.093422 W081.247658. 14.4 for today.

 

WEEK 7:

 

Day 43. Apr. 21. Campsite. 594.0 miles. Last water at 581.9. N37.128155 W081.074455. 16.9 for today.

 

Day 44. Apr. 22. Campsite. 610.7 miles. N37.188522 W080.892365. 16.7 for today.

 

Day 45. Apr. 23. Woods Hole Hostel. 623.9 miles. N37.253540 W080.847420. 13.2 for today.

 

Day 46. Apr. 24. Sunday. Pearisburg, VA. 634.9 miles. N37.333065 W080.750381. 11 for today.

 

Day 46. Apr. 25. Zero day 6. Pearisburg, VA. Plaza Motel. 540 921-2591. 415 N Main St. Pearisburg, VA. 24134. Talked to Landa - okay to ship food box to.

 

FOOD GROUP 7. Days 47-52. 6 Days.

 

Day 48. Apr. 26. Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. 654.4 miles. N37.422119 W080.608467. 19.5 for today.

 

Day 49. Apr. 27. Laurel Creek Shelter. 672.9 miles. N37.358986 W080.420959. 18.5 for today.

 

WEEK 8:

 

Day 50. Apr. 28. Campsite. 687.7 miles. N37.375809 W0-80.247757. 14.8 for today.

 

Day 51. Apr. 29. Johns Spring Shelter. 702.1 miles. N37.365959 W080.152870. 14.4 of today. Get a shuttle to Roanoke, VA to get a transportation to Richmond, VA to fly home. OR if push on and go to Johns Spring Shelter. 709.0 miles. N37.385204 W080.073860. 21.3 for today.

 

Day 52. Apr. 30. Daleville. 727.8 miles. N37.393829 W079.906586. 18.8 for today. Spend night. 14.0 miles per day (including break days).

 

Day 53. May 1. Sunday. Travel to Roanoke and on to Richmond.

 

Day 54. May 2. Fly home.

 

TRAIL HIKING PLAN B

NOTE: Flexibility is key for a hassle free hike.

The love of the hike and adventure, and not the schedule.

 

Hiking plan A is built to complete 1/3 of the miles, 728.6 miles, by the middle of April. I do not believe I will be able to accomplish that. I have come up with a plan B. Plan B will be based on hiking 7 to 8 hours a day. I will try to keep it closer to 7 hours a day. The length will depend on where there is water and camping areas. In this plan the first week will be the same as plan A as it isn’t that difficult. I will also still plan to average a zero day every week. If necessary I might give up a zero day to try and get closer to 1/3 the miles before the middle of April. What ever my location is on the trail I will plan to head home around April 15th, 2016.

 

Total miles of trail: 2186. Note that the app shows 2189.2 miles. Official quotes state it as 2186 miles.

Divided in three parts: Approximately 728.6 miles.

Start March 11, 2016.

Section 1: Springer, Georgia to Pearisburg, 634.9 miles.

Section 2: Pearisburg, 634.9 miles, to Kent, NY. 1467 miles. Fly out of JFK.

Section 3: Kent, NY., 1467 miles, to Baxter Peak, Katahdin, Maine, 2,189.2 miles.

 

Figure 14 miles a day. At 7 hours that is 2 miles an hour. One day off a week. 84 miles a week. With hiking at this slower rate I will finish in September, 2016.

 

WEEK 1:

 

FOOD GROUP 1. Days 1-7. 7 days. Includes zero day at end.

 

Day 1: Mar. 11, 2016. Friday. Drop off to Springer is 1 mile. Springer: N34.626705 W084.193848. Springer to Horse Gap parking 10.5 miles on trail. Horse Gap parking: N34.655613 W084.105659. Total day distance is 11.5 miles. The first week I am going to do less than 18 miles per day to get conditioned.

 

Day 2: Mar. 12. Lance Creek Restoration Area. N34.707863 W083.984970. 24.4 miles. 13.9 for day.

 

Day 3: Mar. 13. Sunday. Cowlick Mountain. N34.721588 W083.856453. 36.8 miles. 12.4 for day.

 

Day 4: Mar. 14. Blue Mountain shelter. N34.817234 W083.766769. 50.5 miles. 13.7 for day.

 

Day 5: Mar. 15. Addis Gap. 64.1 miles. N34.863258 W083.65029. 13.6 for today.

 

Day 6: Mar. 16. Dicks Creek Gap. 69.6 miles. N34.912163 W083.618896. 5.5 for day. .5 miles to Top of Georgia Hostel. Will spend two nights there in Hiawassee.

 

Day 7: Mar. 17. Zero day 1. Visit Hiawassee. Hiawassee Budget Inn. 193 South Main Street, 706 896-4121. PJ. Shuttle: 9, 11, 2 or 3, 5 or 6. Also Unicoi Gap. $40 cash, $45 CC. $10 box.

 

FOOD GROUP 2. days 8-18. 11 days.

 

WEEK 2:

 

Day 8: Mar. 18. Muskrat Creek Shelter. 81.4 miles. N35.020706 W083.581444. 11.8 for today.

 

Day 9: Mar. 19, 2016. Betty Creek Gap. 97.6 miles. N35.028320 W083.478477. 16.2 for day.

 

Day 10: Mar. 20. Sunday. Tent site & stream. 110.8 miles. N35.122677 W083.556824. 13.2 for day.

 

Day 11: Mar. 21. Cold Spring Shelter. 125.6 miles. N35.231323 W083.559677. 14.8 for day.

 

Day 12: Mar. 22. Nantahala Outdoor Center. 137.1 miles. N35.331223 W083.591896. 11.5 for day. Stay at hostel if available. Eat at restaurant. (This stop is one day behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 11.)

 

Day 13: Mar. 23. Brown Fork Gap Shelter. 153.1 miles. N35.374058 W083.733849. 16 for day. (This was day 12 on plan A.)

 

Day 14: Mar. 24. Fontana Dam Shelter. 165.6 miles. N35.448494 W083.794128. 12.5 for day.

 

WEEK 3:

 

Day 15: Mar 25. Russell Field Shelter. 179.8 miles. N35.561657 W083.766464. 14.2 for day.

 

Day 16: Mar 26. Siler’s Bald Shelter. 194.8 miles. N35.5644274 W083.568153. 15 for day.

 

Day 17: Mar 27. Sunday. Newfound Gap. 207.3 miles. N36.611187 W083.425255. 12.5 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 15.)

 

Day 18: Mar 28. Zero day 2. Gatlinburg, TN. or Cherokee, NC. Ship supplies to zero day city. App refers to Gatlinburg. (This was day 16 on plan A.) Grand Prix Motel. 865 436-4561. Call for shuttle service. $30 from newfound gap. (Clingman’s Gap mile 201.1, before newfound gap) $40. 235 Ski Mountain Rd. Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Can mail packages there.

 

FOOD GROUP 3. Days 19-24. 6 days.

 

Day 19: Mar 29. Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. 222.9 miles. N35.693832 W083.256569. 15.6 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 17.)

 

Day 20: Mar. 30. Davenport shelter. 237.7 miles. N35.769577 W083.123268. 14.8 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 18.)

 

Day 21: Mar. 31. Ground Creek Shelter. 248.3 miles. N35.781689 W083.026230. 10.6 for day.

 

WEEK 4:

 

Day 22: Apr. 1. Cat pen Gap. 262.8 miles. N35.837231 W082.919937 14.5 for day.

 

Day 23: Apr. 2. Hot Springs, NC. 274.6 miles. N35.892399 W082.828049. 11.8 for day. (This stop is three days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 20.)

 

Day 24: Apr. 3. Sunday. Zero Day 3. Stay at Hot Springs. (This was day 21 on plan A.) Sunny Bank Inn. 828 622-7206. 26 Walnut St. P.O. Box, Hot Springs, NC. 28743. Call from Standing Bear Hostel to make reservations - mile 240.3. $25 for private room.

 

FOOD GROUP 4. Days 25-33. 9 Days.

 

Day 25. Apr. 4. Spring Mountain Shelter. 285.4 miles. N35.951790 W082.790001. 10.8 for day.

 

Day 26. Apr. 5. Jerry’s Cabin shelter. 300.8 miles. N36.056606 W082.657120. 15.4 for day.

 

Day 27. Apr. 6. Hogback Ridge Shelter. 316.0 miles. N35.964081 W082.587128. 15.2 for day.

 

Day 28. Apr. 7. Whistling Gap. 329.5 miles. N36.018631 W082.436859. 13.5 for day.

 

WEEK 5:

 

Day 29. Apr. 8. Uncle Johnny’s Hostel. 343.0 miles. N36.105637 W082.448456. 13.5 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 25.)

 

Day 30. Apr. 9. Cherry Gap Shelter. 360.0 miles. N36.129288 W082.263870. 17 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 26.)

 

Day 31. Apr. 10. Sunday. Ash Gap. 375.7 miles. N36.114784 W082.135323. 15.7 for today.

 

Day 32. Apr. 11. US 19E. 393.8 miles. N36.177357 W082.011642. 18.1 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 28.)

 

Day 33. Apr. 12. Zero day 4. Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN. .5 miles to west. City Roan Mountain, TN to west, Elk Park, NC to east. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 29.) Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN. 423 772-9494. 9151 Highway 19-E, Roan Mountain, TN 37687.3 rooms, 8 beds in hostel, tents in back and can use showers. Call in advance to make reservations. Fills up fast.

 

FOOD GROUP 5. Days 34-40. 6 days.

 

Day 34. Apr. 13. Tent site. 409.8 miles. N36.217285 W082.058411. 16 for day.

 

Day 35. Apr. 14. Pond Flats. 424.2 miles. N36.282429 W082.118690. 14.4 for today.

 

WEEK 6:

 

Day 36. Apr. 15. Tent site & Spring. 440.1 miles. N36.406227 W082.018616. 15.9 for today.

 

Day 37. Apr. 16. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 458.9 miles. N36.580978 W081.901711. 18.8 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 33.) Maybe stop at Queens Knob Shelter. 457.5 miles.

 

Day 38. Apr. 17. Sunday. Damascus, VA. 469.1 miles. N36.635025 W081.789215. 10.2 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 34.)

 

Day 39. Apr. 18. Zero day 5. Damascus, VA. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 35.) Hikers Inn. 276 475-3788. hikersinn@gmail.com. PO Box 396, 216 E. Laurel Ave., Damascus, VA 24236.

 

FOOD GROUP 6. Days 41-51. 11 Days.

 

Day 40. Apr. 19. Lost Mountain Shelter. 484.9 miles. N36.644394 W081.655876. 15.8 for day.

 

Day 41. Apr. 20. Many Camp sites. 498.2 N36.656414 W081.524246. 13.3 for today. Get water at Thomas Knob Shelter. 497.3 miles, .9 miles before camp.

 

WEEK 7:

 

Day 42. Apr. 21. Hurricane Shelter or Hurricane Shelter tenting. 512.6 miles. N36.714287 W081.509911. 14.4 for today.

 

Day 43. Apr. 22. Partnership Shelter. 531.5 miles. N36.809525 W081.422371. 18.9 for today.

 

Day 44. Apr. 23. Campsite. 544.5 miles. N36.904220 W081.371826. 13 for today. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 40.)

 

Day 45. Apr. 24. Sunday. Campsite. 562.7 miles. N37.031288 W081.422829. 18.2 for today. Water .2 miles ahead at 562.9 miles. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 41.)

 

Day 46. Apr. 25. Jenkins Shelter. 577.1 miles. N37.093422 W081.247658. 14.4 for today. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 42.)

 

Day 47. Apr. 26. Halves Mill Shelter. 592.4 miles. N37.130795 W081.102989. 15.3 for today.

 

Day 48. Apr. 27. Campsite. 606.3 miles. N37.160221 W080.924622. 13.9 for today.

 

WEEK 8:

 

Day 49. Apr. 28. Tent site. 621.1 miles. N37.245800 W080.850098. 14.8 for today.

 

Day 50. Apr. 29. Pearisburg: 634.9 miles. N37.333065 W080.750381. 13.8 for today. Stay at Plaza Motel. 540 921-2591. For trip: 12.449 miles/day, including zero days.

 

Day 51. Apr. 30. Travel to Richmond.

 

Day 52. May 1. Sunday. Fly home.

______________________________________

 

On Hike Plan A: 92.9 more miles than Hike Plan B.: Plan A: Day 51. Apr. 30. Daleville. 727.8 miles. N37.393829 W079.906586. 18.8 for today. Spend night. For trip: 14.0 miles/day, including zero days.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Here is my equipment list. The format didn't come over exactly the same, but close enough.

 

Couple notes. When I checked the weight of my pack with water and the first week of food it came out 34.6 pounds. I was excited. I had hoped to have a 35 pound, or lighter back pack. I did a 6 mile training hike today. My pack carried well and stayed in position. It didn't slip, or wear any where wrong. I was happy for that. Hopefully it will stay that way for 2,000 miles.

 

I left several items behind that I know I will miss along the trail. The first was my red fleece. It weighs 1 pound. I will be okay while hiking, but a little chilly in the evenings and mornings. Since I am leaving 3 weeks later than planned I am sure I will be okay. I do have a very nice light weight down coat.

I am also leaving behind a key board for my iPad. I hate typing on the key board that pops up on the iPad. It is missing so many keys. As one example is a tab key. How in the world are you suppose to tab with the iPad key pad?

Next I left behind my trecking umbrella. It is very light and made in Europe where they do a lot of trecking. It weighs about 1 pound. As my son, Tyler, said I don't need any stinking umbrella. The thru hiker I talked with said out of 170 days on the trail he had 107 days of some kind of precipitation. I might be cursing my wise son as I am hiking in a down pour wishing I had my umbrella.

One item that I am taking, that I almost left behind, but Cambria wouldn't let me is my PLB, Personal Locator Beacon. It weighs 3/4 of a pound and feels like a rock. I will carry it all 2,000+ miles. My only satisfaction will be when I make my kids carry it on their trips. They and their mother are insisting that I take it, for the just in case situation which will not happen. There are grave warnings in the instructions to only use the PLB only if no other course is available. I wonder if death is one of the other courses they are talking about.:-).

 

 

EQUIPMENT LIST

 

 

GENERAL

back pack

back pack rain cover

food bag & straps

watch Wear

compass Wear

whistle Wear

maps

water bladder

cash $300. Carry $100. $100 for driver

driver's license

credit cards Visa, America Express, ATM, Delta ID

insurance card

paper & pencil

CAMPING

tent, stakes, & poles

tent repair kit

ground cloth

sleeping bag

summer sleeping bag In future

sleeping pad

head lamp

umbrella

rope - 50 ft

knife with scissors

FOOD EQUIPMENT

stove Optimus Crux

fuel - 2 small canisters 110g. Arrange for driver to buy.

lighter - 2

back up matches - 12

cook kit Optimus Terra Weekend HE

utensils - spoon/fork

soap campsuds, 1/4 oz. container

towel & cleaning cloth

water filter sawyer mini

water pumping bags - 2

Water utility bag

garbage bags - 1 small white

garbage bags - 1 large black

CLOTHES

boots

leg gaiters

shoes - camp

pants - zipper off leg wearing

shorts wear & swim

shirt - long sleeve wearing

shirt - t shirt, underarmor

bandanna cotton.

neck gaiter red

hat - full brim

beanie - fleece hat

liner socks - 3 pair

outer socks - 3 pairs

underwear - 3 pairs

base layer, pajamas

sleeping socks

leather gloves

jacket

fleece liner ? Didn't take

rain jacket

rain pants

reading glasses

bifocals - night

sunglasses - bifocals

mosquito head net

Rain cover for hat

TOILETRIES

towel - same as food

toilet paper

tooth brush

tooth paste

dental floss

comb Carry

soap - same as food

chap stick - lip balm

deodorant

poop scoop - trowel

sun screen

insect repellent

Desitin

FIRST AID & EMERGENCY

neosporane

Alcohol towelettes

6 badaids

first aid tape

razor blade

first aid pads - sterile gauze

second skin for blisters

mole skin

Aleve (Ibuprofen)

Benadryl

Cramp pills

water purifing tablets

sewing kit

safety pins

Tenacious tape

rubber bands

sharpener, fire starter

hand sanitizer - fire starter

PLB - pers. locator beacon

tweezers - remove ticks

pliers

consecrated oil

ELECTRONICS

iPhone

iPad

reading material on iPad

backup battery

charger

USB-mini usb cable

USB-iPad cable

MEALS AND SCHEDULES

I have my meals all done and boxed up ready to ship. They were in change right up to putting them in the box. I am carrying my first week of food. I have already shipped my second week to Hiawassee, GA. Shortly after I leave Linda will ship my third food box to Gatlinburg, TN. I have 7 food boxes. Linda will ship them out 2 weeks before I am scheduled to be there. Hope it all works. I have talked to all of the destinations and the people do accept and hold food boxes. Only time will tell if my planning works out.

 

MEALS

BREAKFASTS

NOTE: Sizes still to be determined by trying. All foods are dried if possible. Try to carry 10 days of meals. Depends on drop points and zero days. Make drop points at zero days.

 

BRKFST 1: OATMEAL - premix

3/4 cup oatmeal. Cold or hot

1/4 cup dried fruit. Strawberries, peaches, or blueberries.

Few chopped walnuts

Powder milk. Make 1 cup. 1/4 powder makes 1 cup milk.

1 1/2 tsp sugar

Hot Chocolate

Vitamins

 

BRKFST 2: COLD CEREAL

1 cup cold cereal.

1/8 cup dried fruit. Strawberries, peaches, or blueberries.

Powder milk. Make 1 cup. 1/4 powder makes 1 cup milk.

Hot Chocolate

Vitamins

 

BRKFST 3: EGGS - premix

1/2 cup dried eggs

1/8 cup meat

1/2 TBSP onions

1/8 tsp Salt

Touch of pepper

Hot Chocolate

Crackers

 

BRKFST 4: CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST

2 Carnation instant breakfasts. Hot or cold

2 cups milk. 1/4 powder makes 1 cup milk.

Hot Chocolate

Vitamins

 

BRKFST 5: Breakfast bar

3 breakfast bars

Hot Chocolate

Vitamins

 

 

LUNCH

 

LNCH 1: Jerky

1 oz. Jerky

1/2 cup apples

1 cheese & crackers

1 protein bar

drink mix. 1/8 cup/day. (1/2 scoop of Gatorade per day)

LNCH 2: Pepperoni

1 stick pepperoni

2 fruit by foot

1 protein bar

drink mix 1/8 cup/day. (1/2 scoop of Gatorade per day)

LNCH 3: Beef Stick

1 or 2 beef sticks

1 peanut butter & crackers

1/2 cup apples

1 protein bar

drink mix 1/8 cup/day. (1/2 scoop of Gatorade per day)

 

LNCH 4: Pepperoni or Jerky

1 stick pepperoni or 1 oz. jerky

1 peanut butter & crackers

1/2 cup banana chips

1 protein bar

drink mix 1/8 cup/day. (1/2 scoop of Gatorade per day)

 

DINNER

 

Dnr 1: Chicken Rice - premix.

1/4 cup rice - makes 1 cup of rice

1/2 TBS sweet ginger garlic flavoring

1/4 cup meat substitute - chicken

1/4 cup mixed vegetables

1 TBSP onions

salt / pepper

Cracker

 

Dnr 2: Tuna Rice - premix rice & veg.

1/4 cup rice

tuna - package

1/4 cup mixed vegetables

1/4 tsp salt

Touch of pepper

 

Dnr 3: Rice and chicken soup - premix

1/4 cup rice

1 chicken bouillon cube.

1/4 cup mixed vegetables

1/4 tsp salt

Touch of pepper

 

Dnr 4: Potatoes - premix

1/2 cup instant potatoes

1/4 cup meat

1/4 cup mixed vegetables

1/2 TBSP Onions

1/4 tsp salt

Touch of pepper

 

Dnr 5: 1/2 Mountain Land meal

crackers

 

Dnr 6: 2 Cup of noodles

crackers

 

Dnr 7: 1 Top Romen noodles

 

Dnr 8: 1 cup Fettuccine Alfredo

 

SNACKS

 

GORP 1: TRADITIONAL 3/4 cup

Granola - Quaker Oat

m & ms.

Reese's Pieces

 

GORP 2: TROPICAL 3/4 cup

 

GORP 3: SPICY 3/4 cupI

 

MEALS SCHEDULE

DELIVER DATES BASED ON PLAN A RATE.

FOOD GROUP 1: 7 days. Carried with me at start.

Day 1: L1, D1, G1

Day 2: B1, L2, D2, G2

Day 3: B2, L3, D3, G3 5.6 pounds

Day 4: B3, L4, D4, G1

Day 5: B4, L1, D5, G2

Day 6: B1, G1

Day 7: Zero Day.

 

FOOD GROUP 2: 11 days. Mailed to Hiawassee Budget Inn.

Day 8: L2, D6, G3 by March 13, 2016

Day 9: B5, L3, D7, G1

Day 10: B1, L4, D8, G2

Day 11: B2, L1, D1, G3 11.6 pounds

Day 12: B3, L2, D2, G1

Day 13: B4, L3, D3, G2

Day 14: B1, L4, D4, G3

Day 15: B5, L1, D5, G1

Day 16: B1, L2, D6, G2

Day 17: B2, L3, G3

Day 18: Zero Day.

 

FOOD GROUP 3: 6 days. Mailed to Gatlinburg, TN.

Day 19: L4, D7, G1 by Mar 22, 2016

Day 20: B3, L1, D8, G2 5.8 pounds

Day 21: B4, L2, D1, G3 Dental floss, toilet paper

Day 22: B1, L3, D2, G1 Note pad, lighter, sun block

Day 23: B5, L4, G2 deodorant, hand lotion

Day 24: Zero Day.

 

FOOD GROUP 4: 9 days. Mailed to Hot Springs, NC.

Day 25: L1, D3, G3 by March 28, 2016

Day 26: B1, L2, D4, G1

Day 27: B2, L3, D5, G2

Day 28: B3, L4, D6, G3 8.6 pounds

Day 29: B4, L1, D7, G1 Soap, Hand lotion

Day 30: B1, L2, D8, G2

Day 31: B5, L3, D1, G3

Day 32: B1, L4, G1

Day 33: Zero Day.

 

FOOD GROUP 5: 6 days. Mailed to Eagle Park, NC.

Day 34: L1, D2, G2 by Apr 5, 2016

Day 35: B2, L2, D3, G3

Day 36: B3, L,3, D4, G1 5.8 ponds

Day 37: B4, L4, D5, G2

Day 38: B1, L1, G3 Hand lotion

Day 39: Zero Day.

 

FOOD GROUP 6: 11 days. Mailed to Damascus, VA.

Day 40: L2, D6, G1 by Apr 11, 2016

Day 41: B5, L3, D7, G2

Day 42: B1, L4, D8, G3

Day 43: B2, L1, D1, G1 11.8 pounds

Day 44: B3, L2, D2, G2

Day 45: B4, L3, D3, G3 Dental floss, toilet paper

Day 46: B1, L4, D4, G1 Note pad, lighter, sun block

Day 47: B5, L1, D5, G2 deodorant, hand lotion

Day 48: B1, L2, D6, G3

Day 49: B2, L3, D7, G1

Day 50: B3, L4, G2. Finish.

 

B1 - 13 L1 - 11 D1 - 5 G1 - 16

B2 - 7 L2 - 11 D2 - 5 G2 - 15

B3 - 7 L3 - 11 D3 - 5 G3 - 14

B4 - 6 L4 - 10 D4 - 5

B5 - 6 D5 - 5

D6 - 5

D7 - 5

D8 - 4

IF MAKE PLAN A RATE.

FOOD GROUP 7: 6 days. Mailed to Pearisburge, VA.

Day 47: L1, D8, G3 by Apr 21, 2016

Day 48: B4, L2, D1, G1

Day 49: B5, L3, D2, G2 6.6 pounds

Day 50: B1, L4, D3, G3

Day 51: B2, L1, D4, G1 hand lotion

Day 52: B3, L2, G2.

 

HIKE PLAN B Full

TRAIL HIKING PLAN B

NOTE: Flexibility is key for a hassle free hike.

The love of the hike and adventure, and not the schedule.

 

Hiking plan A is built to complete 1/3 of the miles, 728.6 miles, by the middle of April. I do not believe I will be able to accomplish that. I have come up with a plan B. Plan B will be based on hiking 7 to 8 hours a day. I will try to keep it closer to 7 hours a day. The length will depend on where there is water and camping areas. In this plan the first week will be the same as plan A as it isn’t that difficult. I will also still plan to average a zero day every week. If necessary I might give up a zero day to try and get closer to 1/3 the miles before the middle of April. What ever my location is on the trail I will plan to head home around April 15th, 2016.

 

Total miles of trail: 2186. Note that the app shows 2189.2 miles. Official quotes state is as 2186 miles.

Divided in three parts: 728.6 miles.

Start February 22, 2016.

Section 1: Springer, Georgia to ___________________.

Section 2: __________________ to Kent, NY. 1467 miles. Fly out of JFK.

Section 3: Kent, NY., 1467 miles, to Baxter Peak, Katahdin, Maine. 2,189.2 miles.

 

Figure 14 miles a day. At 7 hours that is 2 miles an hour. One day off a week. 84 miles a week. With hiking at this slower rate I will finish in September, 2016.

 

WEEK 1:

 

FOOD GROUP 1. Days 1-7. 7 days. Includes zero day at end.

 

Day 1: Feb. 22, 2016. Monday. Drop off to Springer is 1 mile. Springer: N34.626705 W084.193848. Springer to Horse Gap parking 10.5 miles on trail. Horse Gap parking: N34.655613 W084.105659. Total day distance is 11.5 miles. The first week I am going to do less than 18 miles per day to get conditioned.

 

Day 2: Feb. 23. Lance Creek Restoration Area. N34.707863 W083.984970. 24.4 miles. 13.9 for day.

 

Day 3: Feb. 24. Cowlick Mountain. N34.721588 W083.856453. 36.8 miles. 12.4 for day.

 

Day 4: Feb. 25.m Blue Mountain shelter. N34.817234 W083.766769. 50.5 miles. 13.7 for day.

 

Day 5: Feb. 26. Addis Gap. 64.1 miles. N34.863258 W083.65029. 13.6 for today.

 

Day 6: Feb. 27. Dicks Creek Gap. 69.6 miles. N34.912163 W083.618896. 5.5 for day. .5 miles to Top of Georgia Hostel. Will spend two nights there in Hiawassee.

 

Day 7: Feb. 28, Sunday. Zero day 1. Visit Hiawassee. Hiawassee Budget Inn. 193 South Main Street, 706 896-4121. PJ. Shuttle: 9, 11, 2 or 3, 5 or 6. Also Unicoi Gap. $40 cash, $45 CC. $10 box.

 

FOOD GROUP 2. days 8-18. 11 days.

 

WEEK 2:

 

Day 8: Feb. 29. Muskrat Creek Shelter. 81.4 miles. N35.020706 W083.581444. 11.8 for today.

 

Day 9: Mar. 1, 2016. Betty Creek Gap. 97.6 miles. N35.028320 W083.478477. 16.2 for day.

 

Day 10: Mar. 2. Tent site & stream. 110.8 miles. N35.122677 W083.556824. 13.2 for day.

 

Day 11: Mar. 3. Cold Spring Shelter. 125.6 miles. N35.231323 W083.559677. 14.8 for day.

 

Day 12: Mar. 4. Nantahala Outdoor Center. 137.1 miles. N35.331223 W083.591896. 11.5 for day. Stay at hostel if available. Eat at restaurant. (This stop is one day behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 11.)

 

Day 13: Mar. 5. Brown Fork Gap Shelter. 153.1 miles. N35.374058 W083.733849. 16 for day. (This was day 12 on plan A.)

 

Day 14: Mar. 6, Sunday. Fontana Dam Shelter. 165.6 miles. N35.448494 W083.794128. 12.5 for day.

 

WEEK 3:

 

Day 15: Mar 7. Russell Field Shelter. 179.8 miles. N35.561657 W083.766464. 14.2 for day.

 

Day 16: Mar 8. Siler’s Bald Shelter. 194.8 miles. N35.5644274 W083.568153. 15 for day.

 

Day 17: Mar 9. Newfound Gap. 207.3 miles. N36.611187 W083.425255. 12.5 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 15.)

 

Day 18: Mar 10. Zero day 2. Gatlinburg, TN. or Cherokee, NC. Ship supplies to zero day city. App refers to Gatlinburg. (This was day 16 on plan A.)

 

FOOD GROUP 3. Days 19-24. 6 days.

 

Day 19: Mar 11. Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. 222.9 miles. N35.693832 W083.256569. 15.6 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 17.)

 

Day 20: Mar. 12. Davenport shelter. 237.7 miles. N35.769577 W083.123268. 14.8 for day. (This stop is two days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 18.)

 

Day 21: Mar. 13. Sunday. Ground Creek Shelter. 248.3 miles. N35.781689 W083.026230. 10.6 for day.

 

WEEK 4:

 

Day 22: Mar. 14. Cat pen Gap. 262.8 miles. N35.837231 W082.919937 14.5 for day.

 

Day 23: Mar. 15. Hot Springs, NC. 274.6 miles. N35.892399 W082.828049. 11.8 for day. (This stop is three days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 20.)

 

Day 24: Mar. 16. Zero Day 3. Stay at Hot Springs. (This was day 21 on plan A.)

 

FOOD GROUP 4. Days 25-33. 9 Days.

 

Day 25. Mar. 17. Spring Mountain Shelter. 285.4 miles. N35.951790 W082.790001. 10.8 for day.

 

Day 26. Mar. 18. Jerry’s Cabin shelter. 300.8 miles. N36.056606 W082.657120. 15.4 for day.

 

Day 27. Mar. 19. Hogback Ridge Shelter. 316.0 miles. N35.964081 W082.587128. 15.2 for day.

 

Day 28. Mar. 20. Sunday. Whistling Gap. 329.5 miles. N36.018631 W082.436859. 13.5 for day.

 

WEEK 5:

 

Day 29. Mar. 21. Uncle Johnny’s Hostel. 343.0 miles. N36.105637 W082.448456. 13.5 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 25.)

 

Day 30. Mar. 22. Cherry Gap Shelter. 360.0 miles. N36.129288 W082.263870. 17 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 26.)

 

Day 31. Mar. 23. Ash Gap. 375.7 miles. N36.114784 W082.135323. 15.7 for today.

 

Day 32. Mar. 24. US 19E. 393.8 miles. N36.177357 W082.011642. 18.1 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 28.)

 

Day 33. Mar. 25. Zero day 4. Mountain Harbour Hostel. .5 miles to west. City Roan Mountain to west, Elk Park to east. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 29.)

 

FOOD GROUP 5. Days 34-40. 6 days.

 

Day 34. Mar. 26. Tent site. 409.8 miles. N36.217285 W082.058411. 16 for day.

 

Day 35. Mar. 27. Pond Flats. 424.2 miles. N36.282429 W082.118690. 14.4 for today.

 

WEEK 6:

 

Day 36. Mar. 28. Tent site & Spring. 440.1 miles. N36.406227 W082.018616. 15.9 for today.

 

Day 37. Mar. 29. Abingdon Gap Shelter. 458.9 miles. N36.580978 W081.901711. 18.8 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 33.) Maybe stop at Queens Knob Shelter. 457.5 miles.

 

Day 38. Mar. 30. Damascus, VA. 469.1 miles. N36.635025 W081.789215. 10.2 for day. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 34.)

 

Day 39. Apr. 1. Zero day 5. Damascus, VA. (This stop is four days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 35.)

 

FOOD GROUP 6. Days 41-51. 11 Days.

 

Day 40. Apr. 2. Lost Mountain Shelter. 484.9 miles. N36.644394 W081.655876. 15.8 for day.

 

Day 41. Apr. 3. Sunday. Many Camp sites. 498.2 N36.656414 W081.524246. 13.3 for today. Get water at Thomas Knob Shelter. 497.3 miles, .9 miles before camp.

 

WEEK 7:

 

Day 42. Apr. 4. Hurricane Shelter or Hurricane Shelter tenting. 512.6 miles. N36.714287 W081.509911. 14.4 for today.

 

Day 43. Apr. 5. Partnership Shelter. 531.5 miles. N36.809525 W081.422371. 18.9 for today.

 

Day 44. Apr. 6. Campsite. 544.5 miles. N36.904220 W081.371826. 13 for today. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 40.)

 

Day 45. Apr. 7. Campsite. 562.7 miles. N37.031288 W081.422829. 18.2 for today. Water .2 miles ahead at 562.9 miles. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 41.)

 

Day 46. Apr. 8. Jenkins Shelter. 577.1 miles. N37.093422 W081.247658. 14.4 for today. (This stop is five days behind plan A hike. On plan A was here on Day 42.)

 

Day 47. Apr. 9. Halves Mill Shelter. 592.4 miles. N37.130795 W081.102989. 15.3 for today.

 

Day 48. Apr. 10. Sunday. Campsite. 606.3 miles. N37.160221 W080.924622. 13.9 for today.

 

WEEK 8:

 

Day 49. Apr. 11. Tent site. 621.1 miles. N37.245800 W080.850098. 14.8 for today.

 

Day 50. Apr. 12. Pearisburg: 634.9 miles. N37.333065 W080.750381. 13.8 for today. Stay at Plaza Motel. 540 921-2591. For trip: 12.449 miles/day, including zero days.

 

Day 51. Apr. 13. Travel to Richmond.

 

Day 52. Apr. 14. Fly home.

______________________________________

 

On Hike Plan A: 92.9 more miles than Hike Plan B.: Plan A: Day 51. Apr. 13. Daleville. 727.8 miles. N37.393829 W079.906586. 18.8 for today. Spend night. For trip: 14.0 miles/day, including zero days.

Talked to a Thru Hiker who did the hike

A couple days ago I talked with a Thru Hiker that hiked the entire AT trail. It was very encouraging to me and answered some questions I had. Here are some facts about his hike that he shared.

 

He hiked by himself. He said you meet plenty of people and hike with others. No problem starting by your self.

Started Feb. 29th. He was the 139th to start

Fished July 29th. 5 months to the day. He was the 29th to finish for the year.

You also register at Smokey National park, Shenadona Park, and Harper's Ferry. At Harper's Ferry you get your picture taken.

He took one week off when his wife came out. They did some sight seeing. While taking the time off he said he just wanted to get back hiking.

He averaged 17 1/2 miles per day.

He started with a tent. After 4 1/2 weeks he sent it back. He spent most nights in a AT shelter. He had a 1 pound tarp that he used if he needed to. His tent weighted over 7 pounds.

He started with a 55 pound pack which some times got to 60 pounds.

He started weigh 200 pounds. At the end he weighted 156 pounds. He took him a long time to gain back his lost weight. Toward the end of the hike he would buy a can of cake icing and eat the whole thing in one sitting. He said he could do it now, but it tasted so good then. He craved the food and calories.

Out of the 150 days he was on the trail it rained in some form 105 of those days.

You do not have to ship out fuel for my stove. You can buy it all along the trail.

You get to know the group you are hiking around. You leave notes for each other and keep running into each other.

He was flexible on zero days. If you got in town in the middle of the day you wouldn't want to spend a whole day the next day doing nothing. There isn't anything to do on zero days, so you get anixous to get hiking again.