Date: November 7 2000
Trail Day: 160
Miles Today: 12
Location: Kinkora Hostel
Section Mile: AT 1710
ECT Mile: 2409
It rained last night but I slept quite dry. Hiked about a mile to the
Watauga Lake shelter. Mr Pink, Mr White and Mr Blond were there. It looks
like there were 10 hikers there last night and 4 had to sleep outside.
Good thing I did not go there last night.
Had a good climb up Pond flats. We are now seeing less switch backs. I
think we are slowly transitioning to the sharp ups and downs of Georgia.
Got to Laurel Fork Shelter where I saw Moondance, George, Sweet Cicily,
Fall Girl and Firebreather. We then hiked the remaining 3 miles together
to the Kinkora hostel. Made today a short day. Today is also a very important
day for me - I cross the half way point of my hike.
We decided to make a Mexican community meal. Went shopping and came back with
about 30 bags of groceries. Mr Pink, White and Blond were also at the hostel.
I bought the ice cream to celebrate my half way point. We had a good dinner
and dessert. Listened to some of the election news and played scrabble. This is
a very nice hostel run by an ex-military gentleman. It is very comfortable and
cozy.
Cooking 1
Cooking 2
Date: November 8 2000
Trail Day: 161
Miles Today: 20
Location: Apple House Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1730
ECT Mile: 2429
Firebreather, FallGirl and I made pan cakes today morning. This was the first
time cooking them although they are very similar to Dosai (South Indian dish)
and Injira (Ethiopian dish). Mr. Zip will be doing a 13 mile slack pack north
bound back to the hostel while all the others will be doing a 20 mile slack
pack. Me, being a self righteous purist :) will continue on as normal.
Met Mr. Zip, Mr. White, Mr. Pink, Mr. Blond and then the group of 4
(Firebreather, FallGirl, Sweet Cicily and George) George was listenting to the
radio and said we wont know about the election results till tomorrow.
The first 10 miles went quick but the second 10 miles were very slow. I would
have stopped sooner but had no water. Met Grinder at the shelter. He is a 53
year old gentleman who is doing a section from Delaware Water Gap to Hot
Springs. Accidentally left some food on the floor and one of the mice got into
it.
A View
Date: November 9 2000
Trail Day: 162
Miles Today: 20
Location: Clyde Smith Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1750
ECT Mile: 2449
Today was a very wet day. It started off dry but started raining within half
an hour. Started off with a long climb. The top was a bald and the wind was
strong enough to push me around. I had to walk at a 70 degree angle leaning
forwards and sideways to prevent myself getting blown over. The rain was
pelting and was quite painful sometimes.
It was so cold and my fingers so numb I did not make any register entries. The
correspondence between the maps and the few signs on the trail is very poor - I
could not tell where I was on the trail at several places. I was planning
on stopping at High Knob shelter but never found it. I knew I had missed it
when I started doing a long descent. Decided to head to the next shelter
another 6 miles out. I know that the Firebreather group was planning on
staying at the High Knob Shelter. These are not good conditions to "explore"
the territory.
Grinder was at the shelter. Cooked dinner, ate and got comfortable in my
sleeping bag.
A View
Another View
Date: November 10 2000
Trail Day: 163
Miles Today: 21
Location: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1771
ECT Mile: 2470
Rained a lot last night. Conditions were ideal for hypothermia in the morning
- 40 degree F and wet. Getting out of the sleeping bag into my wet clothes,
socks and shoes was a torture. My socks were full of water and because of
the cold temperature my feet became numb in a few seconds. Also started hiking
with no gloves. So my hands were numb and cold also. It took me about 2 hours
to warm up to a comfortable degree. The first hour was a torture.
Met Grinder about 6 miles into the hike. He has worked for the Emergency
Medical System and is quite knowledgeable about hypothermia. He was very
concerned and worried about it when we had started in the morning.
We decided to hike the remaining 12 miles or so to the shelter. The sun showed
up briefly for 5 seconds or so in the entire day. Got to the shelter and
immediately got into dry clothes and my sleeping bag, cooked, ate and fell
asleep
Date: November 11 2000
Trail Day: 164
Miles Today: 4
Location: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin
Section Mile: AT 1775
ECT Mile: 2474
Grinder and I got up at about 8:30 am and hiked the 4 miles into Uncle
Johnny's hostel. It had been a cold night. Wet nights are hard. I have to
sleep in shelters that are cold. The terrain was all down and flat so we made
it quite easily.
This hostel is also a very cozy place. John is a very nice and helpful guy.
Took a shower, did laundry and got a ride into Erwin. Grinder bought me lunch
at the Pizza Hut. Did some grocery shopping, checked e-mail and got a ride
back. Now drinking beer and watching a movie.
Date: November 12 2000
Trail Day: 165
Miles Today: 0
Location: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin
Section Mile: AT 1775
ECT Mile: 2474
Decided to take a 0 day today. This is a very comfortable place. Rode a
bicycle into the town of Erwin for breakfast. When I got back Firebreather and
Fall Girl were at the hostel. They have to be at Hot Springs by a certain date
and therefore would be moving on. They hitched a ride into Erwin for
groceries. Andrew and Richard showed up some time later.
Grinder made chilli for all the hikers. I helped him chop the onions and
green peppers. Spent the rest of the day eating and watching TV and talking.
Also talked to Kumar, Suriyan and Vivek.
At Uncle Johny's Hostel
Date: November 13 2000
Trail Day: 166
Miles Today: 20
Location: Near Low Gap
Section Mile: AT 1795
ECT Mile: 2494
Had a good chat with Andrew last night. Got a slightly late start. Most of the
day was a climb, so the progress was slow. Started drizzling in the middle.
Got into my "water resistant but not water proof" jacket. Depending on the sun
and the terrain it can get warm or very cold. You have to keep playing with
the clothes all the time.
Passed Richard along the way. The climb upto Big Bald seemed to go on forever.
Met Sheperd doing a north hike of this section. I had passed him somewhere in
Connecticut and had met him again briefly near Catawba. He is always hiking
with women - have to envy that.
Decided to hike past Bald Mountain shelter in order to get into Hot Springs on
15th night. Dave Farley, a friend at work has invited me to his cabin
somewhere in Georgia. I am trying to make it to Fontana Dam (another 150
miles) by Thanks Giving. I dont know if its possible. I have not yet talked to
Dave although we have exchanged e-mails. Hiking has now become quite weather
sensitive. I cannot get started till the sun is well up and things have
slightly warmed up. I think its going to be this cold till I clear the
Appalachian range - another 800 miles or so.
I had to hike about an hour in the dark to find water. Set up my tarp and
cooked dinner. Its going to rain tonight.
