February 20th Great day of hiking. Hiked from Neels Gap to Low Gap Shelter. During the hike my backpack started to become more and more uncomfortable. Once in Neel GAP, I stop by Mountain Outfitters. A Mountain Outfitter salesperson went over what was in my pack. She helped me decrease the weight by several pounds. Her knowledge of hiking and the backpack I am using was impressive. I knew backpacks were rated to handle a set weight. The one I have is rated for 35lbs, but 30 lbs is the most it can handle, before it gets wonky and starts to hurt your back. This is not something a manufacture tells you, just something you learn on the trail from an experienced hiker. All the unnecessary gear was sent home.
February 21st -Only hiked 8 miles today. On the way to Blue Mountain Shelter (mile marker 50.2) flashlight when out. Stayed the night at the Shelter. I’ve met some great individuals on the trail. To be honest, I have not met anyone that was not nice.
February 22nd – Hike to Tray Mountain Shelter, mile marker 58.2 in the rain and heavy fog. Elevations along the hike range between 3000-4000 ft. Today is the first day I feel like I am physically at the training level I should of been to start the hike. Better late than never. At the end of last week, I started to have issues with my feet. I believe, I have the proper management of my feet down. It is all about the Socks!!!!. Details on my foot management style will be documented in later blogs, once I have proof that it works.
February 23rd -A few of us (Rollo, Jane, Wayne and me) needed a break from the rain. So, we hiked from Tray Mountain to Dick’s Creek Gap (mile marker 69.2). There we met Mischa who’s trail handle is “Stone Legs”. Mischa shuttled us form Dick’s Creek to Hiawassee. We had Pizza for dinner, boy did it taste great.
February 24th– Zero Day in Hiawassee. A Zero Day, for a hiker is one where there is no hiking, you do wash and rest. Hiawassee is a great little town to rest up. Just like the trail, everyone in town is friendly. They also love hikers. Key stores in town are Trailful Outfitter and Ingles Supermarket Gill. There is more to this town. Hopefully on my way to New Orleans next year, I can stop for a visit and hang out for a while with the locals. This time I am staying at a Budge Inn; next time I will bring the camper.
February 25th -A group of us (Grinder, Tom, Jane, Rollo, Hand Blaze, Pixie,) headed out on the trail early in the morning while it was raining. By afternoon the sun was out, and we had crossed from GA to NC. A short distance from the boarder, we came across trail magic. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? For a city person this may be hard to believe; even for a person that spent most of his life in the suburbs it is hard to believe. But trail magic is a kind person or persons that provides food and encouragement to Through-Hikers on the trail. Cost of this kindness, a story, a smile and a thank you. There are many reasons why people provide trail magic, but from what I heard the most common one is paying it forward. To be honest I may do this when I am done, because it beats sitting in front of the TV. After introductions, a few stories and getting our bellies full we hiked to Muskrat Shelter, mile marker 81.0.
Below are some pictures from the trail.
February 26th – Woke up this morning to another foggy wet day, regardless we make it to Carter GAP Shelter, mile marker 93.5.
February 27th – Challenging climb today up Albert Mountain, mile marker 99.7. Was hoping to get some great photos but the thick fog prevented it. After Albert Mountain disappointment, hiked to Long Branch Shelter, mile marker 102.2. It rained all day. I was glad we made it to a shelter and did not have to put up our tents.
February 28th– The temperature overnight when down to 28 degrees. As indicated, I stayed in the shelter; the hikers that stayed in tents woke to frozen tents. 28 degrees was going to be the high temperature for the day, so a group of us decided to get off the trail. We walked 3.4 miles to Rock Gap, mile marker 105.6. Zen the owner of the Gooder Hostel, in Franklin, NC, picked a large group of us up: Rollo, Wreck IT, Tyler, Willy, Wayne, Brad (Nips), Charlie (Trakker), Rye, Ryder, Vulcan and Gemstone. For the most part we were cold and tired. After getting settled at Gooder Hostel, a group of us went to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch. We arrived at the Mexican restaurant just in time to help them celebrate their 1-year anniversary. The rest of the day we just stocked up on supplies and hung out talking.
There are not too many pictures this week, due to the weather; however, I can tell you want I learned. One is that there are some great people with fantastic stories on the AT. Someone story about their trail handle is so much better than a TV show. Sorry that I am too tired at the end of the day to document them and make this a more interesting blog. But boy! do I, have stories to share with my family and friends when I get off this trail.
Number two is to always underestimate your backpack. Backpack rating are for the highest rate, but that does not mean they work best at that weight. Keeping them a little under the rated weight will ensure they are working properly.
Third thing is the importance of a trail privy in the rain. Poop maybe funny, but not in the rain, not when it is you digging the whole, and not when it is you trying to cover it. I know trail pooping may be funny later, but …….. NOT Right NOW.
So this week I leave you with, people on the AT are great and privy on the AT are awesome!!!!!!!!!
A hiker after a long, cold, damp week will do anything to get warm.
