Journal entries

4-22-15,  Day 1, 10:30 am

The adventure begins.

8:00 pm

Set up camp at Justus creek which is 14.3 miles from springer, so actually did 15.2 miles with .9 headed south to springer to hit the beginning of the trail. (had to go .9 miles to the top of springer mt. and then turn around and retrace my steps). Little worn out. A couple of good uphill grades, but feel good, ready to hit it tomorrow. Ye ha...finally here and doing it!



The trail

Proof I was there.

My camp at Justus creek

 

 

 

 





4-23-15, day 2

 

Set up camp at lance creek. So was only a 10 mile day. Knee started acting up so had to take it easy. Ran into some trail magic today and got a bag of mini candy bars. Another sunny day. Poured last night and a lot of thunder and lightning. Hopefully knee feels better tomorrow, also have a blister to take care of. Got a couple of shots of bourbon from the camp next to me, helped the knee (medicinal).


4-24-15, day3

Camping at Baggs Creek Gap. Did 11.6 miles. Knee still sore. Another sunny day. Bloody Mt. was a bloody bitch, descend thru rocks and climbing over boulders, sometimes didn't even seem like the trail. Missed out on some trail magic at Neel Gap. Free burgers for thru hikers,

descent down blood mt.

didn't find out till about a half mile up the trail, wasn't turning back. Rats!!


4-25-15, day 4

7.3 miles today. Knees were bothering me. Thought I'd take a short day. Staying at Low gap shelter. Raining this morning and extremely foggy.

Low Gap Shelter

4-26-15, day 5

15.4 mile day, at Tray mt. shelter. Sunny day and perfect hiking temp., not to hot and not to cold.

little stream where I got water

4-27-15, day 6

16.3 miles today, at plumorchard shelter. A little trail magic earlier today. Got a sam adams. This is my last night in Georgia. Have 4.4 miles and hit NC. Another beautiful day for hiking. Shelter is a three story and holds 14. Had it all to myself. My own little castle. Hahaha!

plumorchard shelter

4-28-15,  day 7

Only 12.2 miles today. At standing Indian shelter. In  NC now. Another nice day for hiking.

crossing into NC

4-29-15, day 8

At long branch shelter. 16.2 miles. A little trail

the start of the trail up Albert Peak

magic today, met two local boys and got a beer. Felt good. Will be in Franklin tomorrow. Need to resupply. Trail up to Albert Peak was straight up and had to climb over boulders. Look off to the right and it was straight down for a long long ways. Glad it was only 0.3 miles! View from the top was awesome even though it was a bit overcast. Could have made another 3.5 miles to the next shelter but wanted to hang with the group I'd been with for 3 days.


4-30-15, day 9

7.3 miles. In Franklin to resupply and visit with Mom and Dad. A zero day tomorrow. Will hit the trail again Sat. morning. Need to figure out next supply point. Should take 4 days to hit the Great Smokey Mt. National Park and 5 days thru it. Guess I'll supply for 10 days. Want to walk straight thru Great Smokey Mt. National Park. Supposed to be busy park. To many people! Guess I'll find out when I get there. Anne was only other one in the group that needed to resupply in Franklin, so Mom and Dad dropped her off at a Hostel. Hopefully will catch up with the rest down the trail somewhere. Homemade lasagna for dinner and a hot shower...ahhh...what luxuries!


5-1-15, day 10

zero day today. Went and got resupplied this morning. Pack is at 38 lbs. now. A little heavier than I would like, but should be good for at least 10 days. Got a pair of trekking poles to try. Hopefully helps with my knees, especially on the down hill. Had ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner. YUM. Nice to visit with Mom and Dad and have a day off the trail. Clean laundry, clean body, full belly. Thanks mom and dad!!! Back on the trail tomorrow. Will update next chance I get.

New trekking poles