Date: October 13 2000
Trail Day: 135
Miles Today: 16
Location: Priest Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1322
ECT Mile: 2020
Had a good breakfast at
Rusty's
. People who spent the night there were
- Sweet Cicily, George, Firebreather, Fallgirl, Sweat Box, H-Monster, Blue,
T-Pot, John the Baptist, Bed Bug, Looking Glass, Hypothetical and Gail.
Gail hiked the trail in 98. Meeting Bed Bug, Looking Glass and Hypothetical for
the first time.
Could not get a ride to the trail - had to walk the 3 miles. Then came a
good climb and drop to the Maupin Field Shelter. So by noon I had
covered 2 trail miles - disappointing. My shoes are now shot. The right
one has got a 3 inch hole and deteriorating fast. I need to get to a
shoe store.
The climb up the Priest was long. Priest is the first time we are going
above 4000 ft since Mt. Mousalake. Had to stop several times near the
top.
Cooked noodles with spam. It turned out quite good. Firebreather, Fallgirl,
Sweet Cicily and George showed up after dark.
Date: October 14 2000
Trail Day: 136
Miles Today: 5
Location: Buena Vista
Section Mile: AT 1327
ECT Mile: 2025
Got an early start today and decided to go to Buena Vista to get new shoes.
Lots of day hikers today. It has been sunny the past few days. Its supposed
to last at least another week.
Got a ride into Buena Vista. Got shoes at Dollar General Stores - 10 $.
Wonder how many miles I'll get on this. The New Balance lasted about
1000 miles.
Date: October 15 2000
Trail Day: 137
Miles Today: 0
Location: Buena Vista
Section Mile: AT 1327
ECT Mile: 2025
Took a O day today.
Date: October 16 2000
Trail Day: 138
Miles Today: 1
Location: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1328
ECT Mile: 2026
Did not leave the motel till noon. Got lunch and tried to get a hitch for
a couple of hours. Finally got one.I was not in a hiking mood. Decided
to get to the shelter about 1 mile away and stop.
T1 and T2 also got here. Later on AYCE stopped by. He has thru-hiked
in 94. He carries a very light pack.
Feeling tired, so sleeping early.
Date: October 17 2000
Trail Day: 139
Miles Today: 23
Location: Matt's Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1351
ECT Mile: 2049
T1 and T2 were gone by the time I got up. The trail ran beside a creek
with ruins of an old village. Then it went beside a reservoir before
starting a climb up Bluff mountain. It stayed overcast all day although
it did not rain. There was a marker where a young boy had wandered and
died more than a hundred years ago.
Got to the shelter. Chilli, Brisco,
T-Pot and Bed Bug were there. We were later joined by the rest of the gang
- Andrew, Hypothetical, Looking Glass, AYCE, EZE, H-Monster, Sweatbox,
Blue, John the Baptist. This group is fun but moves very slowly. They
had bought beer from Glasgow. We were drinking it up till late night.
EZE was in bad shape.
Date: October 18 2000
Trail Day: 140
Miles Today: 23
Location: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1374
ECT Mile: 2072
The whole group got up early in spite of sleeping late. Ate breakfast
and started off. Passed T-Pot on the way - she was having a snack on the way.
Walked with AYCE for a few hours. The first 8 miles were almost all up.
Met Chilli and Brisco having lunch. Chilli always has a peaceful look
on her face.
After the climb things were somewhat easier. The last 4 miles were downhill
and easy, although my soles were hurting. The shoes I have now need
breaking in. I think it will take a week or so.
10-4, AYCE, Chilli, Brisco, John the Baptist, Bedbug and T-Pot also
made it to the shelter. This shelter is big and can sleep 30 or so people.
Date: October 19 2000
Trail Day: 141
Miles Today: 19
Location: Wilson Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1393
ECT Mile: 2091
T-Pot, Bedbug and me decided to attempt a 26 mile day to Fullhardt Knob
Shelter. I hiked with 10-4 for a while. About 6 miles into the hike
my feet started hurting. The blisters are quite bad. Decided to cut it
to a 19 mile day.
Sole PainT-Pot did do the 26. The rest of the gang also showed up at this shelter. Its getting to be a big group now. We are planning on getting to the motel at the I-81 interchange in time for Blue's birthday. His mom and girlfriend are going to be there. It will be a surprise.
Little Miss Brown
This time around
Aimed for a twenty six
A British bug
An Indian thug
Also gunned for it
Half way down
Spider had a frown
Foot pain aplenty
Dont know the rest
I wish them the best
I stop at mile twenty.
