03/07/12 - McClure Gap - 67.2 miles
This is the earliest we've been in camp so far. Bear bag has been hung, dinner eaten, and we are in our tents with the sun still up. I think it's about six or so. We are at a campsite with one other guy, Pittsburgh Paul, who is camping in his hammock. Today was a pretty difficult hiking day – lots of ups and downs and steep climbs. Only a couple minor blisters on my feet, but my knee is doing better, and the rest of my body seems to be doing alright. Though I feel like I'm constantly having to poop. And I hate pooping in the woods. Who woulda thought for a thru-hiker, huh?
***
We met Pittsburgh Paul that one night and did not see him again until the day we left Harpers Ferry.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Day 6
03/06/12 - Cheese Factory Site - 56.6 miles
13.4 mile day! For me, started off kind of glum, but after talking with KitFox and Animal, pooping twice, and getting some fig newtons from Old Hiker, things were looking up. I was able to upload a few video updates to the blog and send a few texts. We're about a day away from Hiawassee – the first of our hiker towns. Right now we're camped at an old cheese factory site, which seems completely random to us. Cicada, Sunshine, Rocky, and Chief are here, too. This was the first day KitFox and I exceeded our expected miles for the day. Tomorrow, maybe Deep Gap Shelter. It is a full moon.
***
13.4 mile day! For me, started off kind of glum, but after talking with KitFox and Animal, pooping twice, and getting some fig newtons from Old Hiker, things were looking up. I was able to upload a few video updates to the blog and send a few texts. We're about a day away from Hiawassee – the first of our hiker towns. Right now we're camped at an old cheese factory site, which seems completely random to us. Cicada, Sunshine, Rocky, and Chief are here, too. This was the first day KitFox and I exceeded our expected miles for the day. Tomorrow, maybe Deep Gap Shelter. It is a full moon.
***
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Day 5
03/05/12 - Low Gap Shelter - 43.2 miles
This morning we waited for the Neels Gap store to open, then opted for the pack shake down. It was a very humbling / sad experience. I dropped 8 lbs. total... including my camera and my GoPro, along with many other little things I felt like I should have kept. But when I put that pack back on, I could feel it. And it felt so good. I also got a knee brace, and it made a huge difference. Today, Anna and I did about 11 miles, and the last 4.5 were done in about 2 hours. We got a late start (eating hiker heaven food and drinking Diet Coke and OJ) so we wanted to push ourselves to try and make up time. Now our tents are pitched down from the shelter by a nice babbling brook. It's cold and peaceful. Thank you, Lord.
***
Monday, March 4, 2013
Day 4
03/04/12 - Neels Gap - 31.7 miles
Woke up earlier this morning and caught the sunrise. SO COLD. Mountain winds were chilling us all day. Hiked up and over Blood Mountain (snow flurries) and met some other thru-hikers. Arrived at Neels Gap with every delicacy imaginable. I bought a knee brace, a Philly cheese steak, two slices of pizza and two diet cokes. Anna bought some Aquamira droplets, a chicken cheese chimichanga, two slices of pizza and an orange Fanta. Talked with Baltimore Jack for a bit. Super nice guy with a lot of good advice and encouragement. Anna and I are doing laundry now, then headed behind the building where our tents are set. The hostel was full for tonight.
***
Woke up earlier this morning and caught the sunrise. SO COLD. Mountain winds were chilling us all day. Hiked up and over Blood Mountain (snow flurries) and met some other thru-hikers. Arrived at Neels Gap with every delicacy imaginable. I bought a knee brace, a Philly cheese steak, two slices of pizza and two diet cokes. Anna bought some Aquamira droplets, a chicken cheese chimichanga, two slices of pizza and an orange Fanta. Talked with Baltimore Jack for a bit. Super nice guy with a lot of good advice and encouragement. Anna and I are doing laundry now, then headed behind the building where our tents are set. The hostel was full for tonight.
***
 | |
| Neels Gap, the only place where the AT goes through a building |
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Day 3
03/03/12 - Big Cedar Mountain - 22.1 miles
Today was another tough one. 10 miles, but difficult. We both feel like a mile on the AT is different than a mile in the real world. Tomorrow is another 10 mile day over Blood Mountain and to Neels Gap. Possibly laundry and a hostel stay at Neels Gap. We'll see. This evening Anna and I found a campsite near the summit of Big Cedar Mountain. We ate dinner as the sun set behind us and watched the sky darken over the mountain range. A city of lights came alive far below and across the horizon. It's getting colder. This morning was cold, and this evening is another cold one – possibly getting below freezing. Gonna try to get an earlier start tomorrow... without setting an alarm. Hmm...
***
Today was another tough one. 10 miles, but difficult. We both feel like a mile on the AT is different than a mile in the real world. Tomorrow is another 10 mile day over Blood Mountain and to Neels Gap. Possibly laundry and a hostel stay at Neels Gap. We'll see. This evening Anna and I found a campsite near the summit of Big Cedar Mountain. We ate dinner as the sun set behind us and watched the sky darken over the mountain range. A city of lights came alive far below and across the horizon. It's getting colder. This morning was cold, and this evening is another cold one – possibly getting below freezing. Gonna try to get an earlier start tomorrow... without setting an alarm. Hmm...
***
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Day 2
03/02/12 - Between Horse and Cooper Gap - ≈12 miles
OUCH. My left shoulder and right knee are kicking my butt. Today was tough. We were shooting for Justus Creek about 2.5 miles further up... but we were both too tired... myself especially. Anna has been fantastic! The wind and fog has been incredible.
*CRAZY thunderstorms in the night!
***
Today we drove up to Woody Gap (where we would pass through on our third day). Lots of snow coming down on the mountains. Absolutely beautiful. Picked up some coffee and donuts for the hikers, and gave seven of them a ride into town to escape the snow. Two of them, Mama Squirrel and Ciento, recognized us because they had seen our video!
OUCH. My left shoulder and right knee are kicking my butt. Today was tough. We were shooting for Justus Creek about 2.5 miles further up... but we were both too tired... myself especially. Anna has been fantastic! The wind and fog has been incredible.
*CRAZY thunderstorms in the night!
***
Today we drove up to Woody Gap (where we would pass through on our third day). Lots of snow coming down on the mountains. Absolutely beautiful. Picked up some coffee and donuts for the hikers, and gave seven of them a ride into town to escape the snow. Two of them, Mama Squirrel and Ciento, recognized us because they had seen our video!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Day 1
03/01/12 - Springer Mountain Shelter - 0.2 miles
Started off this morning from the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center. Hiked with the parents up the falls until Bruce had to leave. Continued on up with Mom, Dad, and Glenda. After one mile or so on the approach trail, we parted ways and were off. I am so sore right now. Those nine miles to Springer Mountain were brutal. Though we are fresh noobs at this point. Kept thinking we were approaching Springer... kept watching the mountain summits come and go. When we did finally reach Springer, Mom, Dad, and Glenda were there to surprise us. We signed the trail journal in the rock and were off [to the shelter]. One full day of hiking – only .2 miles on the AT.
***
As a side note, I typically wrote each entry just before bed every evening. And at times I would make an addition to the entry the following morning if something crazy happened during the night.
As a second side note, today being the anniversary of our start date, I found it very difficult being in an office all day sandwiched by three hours of rush hour traffic.
Started off this morning from the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center. Hiked with the parents up the falls until Bruce had to leave. Continued on up with Mom, Dad, and Glenda. After one mile or so on the approach trail, we parted ways and were off. I am so sore right now. Those nine miles to Springer Mountain were brutal. Though we are fresh noobs at this point. Kept thinking we were approaching Springer... kept watching the mountain summits come and go. When we did finally reach Springer, Mom, Dad, and Glenda were there to surprise us. We signed the trail journal in the rock and were off [to the shelter]. One full day of hiking – only .2 miles on the AT.
***
As a side note, I typically wrote each entry just before bed every evening. And at times I would make an addition to the entry the following morning if something crazy happened during the night.
As a second side note, today being the anniversary of our start date, I found it very difficult being in an office all day sandwiched by three hours of rush hour traffic.
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