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.
Date: October 20 2000
Trail Day: 142
Miles Today: 11
Location: Best Western Motel, I-81
Section Mile: AT 1404
ECT Mile: 2102
Late last night a hunting dog came to our
shelter
and slept with us. He was
extremely hungry and ate a lot of our food. 10-4 was going to get to a road
and hitch to I-81 with the dog and turn him over to the authorities. Andrew,
H-Monster and me started off first. About 15 minutes into the hike we found
that the dog was following us. We decided to take him to I-81.
The pace was fast. Andrew is 6' 4'', big and fast. We reached I-81 quite
quickly.
The rest of the group slowly filtered in. We got 3 motel rooms. Blue's
mother and girlfriend showed up later and surprised him. They also
bought us shrimps, nuts, cheese, meat etc for a party. A time for eating
and drinking. Most people went to bed at about 3:00 AM. I stayed up
till 5:00 AM.
Date: October 21 2000
Trail Day: 143
Miles Today: 10
Location: Near Tinker Cliff
Section Mile: AT 1414
ECT Mile: 2112
Got a late start and decided to do a short day. The group has now become
too big. I am thinking of speeding up and leaving them behind.
Fairly easy hike today. Decided to sleep out just past the shelter. Saw
numerous day hikers.
Date: October 22 2000
Trail Day: 144
Miles Today: 22
Location: Trout Creek
Section Mile: AT 1436
ECT Mile: 2134
Last night I was sleeping in a deer's territory - the familiar snorting
and stamping. I have actually not encountered it in a while. Had a good,
warm sleep to make up for last night. I think I am also psychologically
prepared for winter now. Saw John the Baptist sleeping 20 yards from
where I was. Also left a note for T-Pot at one of the shelters asking
her to catch up to me or send me an email if she wanted to hike to
Key West. She has been toying with the idea. I think it will be great
to hike with her.
Mc Afee knob had a decent
view. When I got there, there was still a mist.
Met H-Monster, EZE, Andrew and 10-4 heading north. Looks like they
are just doing a day hike of Mc Afee knob.
I had originally planned on going to the Home Place in Catawba. They
have an all you can eat for 9.00 $. I've heard lots of good things about
it, but I have been spending so much time in towns and near civilization
that I am not that interested in restaurants now.
The climb up Dragon's Tooth was hard. They had metal bars driven in rocks
for climbing. I think I saw them last in New Hampshire. There were
numerous day hikers. It felt good to blow past them with a full pack !
I was quite worm out after the climb though and the last 3-4 miles
seemed quite long. Now cooking dinner with Suriyan's new stove. The
lighting process is definitely a pain.
Date: October 23 2000
Trail Day: 145
Miles Today: 21
Location: Laurel Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1457
ECT Mile: 2156
Started climbing to Audie Murphy monument. It went fairly quickly. The trail
then descended to a very good valley. Then a climb back to Sinking Creek
Mountain. The ridge walk was quite rugged in portions. You walk on the
portions covered with leaves or the rocks. The leaves slip and are quite
hard on the knees. The rocks are slanted every which way. To make things
interesting there are thorny bushes on either side. I saw 2 goats there.
They came up to me and started licking my legs. I think they are after the
salt. I gave them some salt I had. One of the goats started chewing on my
pack strap and left it covered with slime. I got a
shot
of the 2 goats.
Then came a descent and a nice walk along some pastures. It got quite
dark by the end and I thought I had missed the shelter. There were 2 section
hikers there.
Water is becoming quite a problem now. I have been without water for several
times in the past few days. It has also been very dry. We also need some
rain to start the leaf decomposition process. The trails are just covered
with them.
Looks like Firebreather, Fall Girl, George and Sweet Cicily are one day
ahead. I will try and catch up with them now. I dont think I will be
seeing the group behind again. They were fun.
Today
Saw fish in Trout Creek
Slipped on Brush Mountain Peak
Got licked by goats
Pleasant walk through meadows
