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



Ready to go....again

The gear is ready to go again and tomorrow, April 22 I will finally get on the trail. I've packed and repacked and think I have things the way I want them now. Still probably be changing things as I go and discover what I'm needing more often. Greyhound never did find my other pack and are supposed to be sending a claim form to be filled out. Folks will be helping me out on that since I will be on the trail.

Thanks to Team Greene for getting me out on the trail, wouldn't have happened without all of you helping out.

The door into the new tent.

View of the tent from the back.

Me and the pack.

A side view of me and the pack with it fully loaded and ready to go. The pack is weighing in right about at 33lbs., with enough food for app. 7 days.


Not sure when I will get another chance to post, but I will when I can, so keep checking in to find out what's been happening and where I've been.

 

Reequipped

The new pack loaded and ready to hit the trail!

It seems to be trying to embrace me!

Won't be long now and I will actually be hitting the trail. Either tues. or wed. will be the start date. Happy trails!

Getting reequipped

Getting new equipment together to get started on the AT hike. Still no word from greyhound on my pack, so with some support from the Greene team I should be on the trail  by 4/22.

A bit later than I wanted to start but should still have time to complete it. I'll post a pic when the new pack is ready.

So don't give up reading my blog yet...I'm still going to get on the trail!

Lost pack adventure continues (Thanks greyhound)

Have you seen me? I got chased away by a big dog and now I seem to be lost. Please help me find my way home. I miss that sweaty back.

So far no luck with finding my pack. Going to visit mom & dad and see what turns up. Haven't given up hope yet. Just getting delayed.

If doesn't show up soon will have to notify the great smokie mt. since my permit was In the pack.

Was expecting some hard times and delays...but I did not expect this. EVERY DAY'S A NEW ADVENTURE!!!

traveling

The bus ride has begun. Should be in gainesville Georgia on Thursday. Have shuttle set up to get me Amicalola falls.

After bus ride it will feel good to get hiking!!

Bus was 2 hrs. late out of Albuquerque, the driver never showed up and they had to find another, but made it to St. Louis in time for my transfer, however my pack was not on the bus!! Said it should be in Gainesville before me. I sure hope so...

The adventure has continued.

Leaving Nashville and off to Atlanta. Met a guy here just coming off the AT. Didn't get a chance to talk and find out why. Got called for the bus.

On the way to gainsville...hope my pack is.

No pack #$$$#&%*. So far no luck finding it. This is really starting to piss me off!!!!!!! Not real happy with greyhound at the moment. If doesn't show up this afternoon or in the morning, guess I'll have to go back to Atlanta on the afternoon bus and have it out.

thanks to eureka

I would like to thank Eureka for their sponsorship and sending me a new timberline tent. Thanks for a great product and extremely friendly service!

the new tent...can't wait to be on the trail

The adventure starts tomorrow and on the trail thurs. (2 day bus ride).

Loaded and ready to go!