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.
Date: November 14 2000
Trail Day: 167
Miles Today: 22
Location: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1817
ECT Mile: 2516
It rained last night but I had stayed dry. Got a late start. Hiked about 6
miles to Sam's gap where they are working on a road. I talked with an 83 year
old tobacco farmer for a while. A fairly uneventful day. Saw 2 hunting dogs
that seemed to be lost. One of them at the shelter was in bad shape. She could
not even walk much. The hunters are quite careless with their dogs. I have
seen and heard of numerous such lost dogs.
Had to hike about 2 hours in the dark as I had no water. It is fairly easy to
lose the trail in some of these balds at night. Saw the valley all lit up with
lights - it was magnificent.
Tried starting a fire at the shelter with no success. My skills here are quite
poor. I have to make it a point to learn it for my own safety. Cooked dinner in
the dark and settled in for the night. The shelter catches the wind and is
therefore quite cold.
Date: November 15 2000
Trail Day: 168
Miles Today: 15
Location: Spring Mountain Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1832
ECT Mile: 2531
Last night was the coldest so far in this hike. The thermometer at the
shelter read a cool 20 F at night. My thermometer reads 10 F now. I know
its 12 F off. My water bottle was half frozen at about 2:00 am but by
morning was frozen almost solid.
Got a late start again. This is getting to be a problem . Getting out of
the sleeping bag into cold hiking gear and walking the first hour or two
is the worst part.
Met Richard on the way. He had stayed one shelter behind. I was not in a
hiking mood today. Took a break at Little Laurel Shelter. Richard joined
me shortly. It was warm at the shelter because of the sun. Decided to cut
the day today and stop at Spring Mountain shelter. This shelter because
of the hills nearby gets little sun and the temperature was 45 F when I
got there.
Cooked in daylight for a change and looked at the register. Looks like
Firebreather and Fall Girl will be taking 4 days off in Hot Springs.
We might finish together. Crawled into my sleeping bag and ready to sleep.
Date: November 16 2000
Trail Day: 169
Miles Today: 11
Location: Elmer's Hostel, Hot Springs
Section Mile: AT 1847
ECT Mile: 2548
Last night was relatively warm. It stayed above 40 F for a daily range of
40 to 45. Got a late start. The terrain was fairly easy and had only 2 minor
climbs. This distance is covered quickly when running into towns. The
pack is light, its downhill and there's the enticement of a town - food,
shower and a WARM bed. This time I have run out of food completely.
I think I am eating more because of the cold. The ice in my water bottle
has still not melted even though I have poured water into it.
Saw Richard at Elmer's hostel. He told me Hymmetus and Andrew are also
there. Had lunch at a nearby diner. The food was excellent. Andrew came
by and we chatted for a while. Andrew is 24 years old and trying to find
direction in life. He has been to several colleges but hasn't finished
his degree yet. He said he is having a hard time with the cold. I think
we all are.
Talked to Dave Farley. The plans are for me to be at Fontana village on 23rd
night and he will pick me up on the 24th morning. I was hoping to make it
there before Thanksgiving, what with the turkey dinner and all, but it
seems difficult. If I do the Smokies in 4 days (70 miles) then I will be
there 22nd night. But due to the late starts and terrain it will be
difficult. I will certainly try it.
Also saw Nomad's book. It is in a journal form. I think it would have been better in a narrative form. I find journals tedious to read. I have read only one journal from start to finish so far. Its Dragon Breath's journal.
