Date: November 24 2000
Trail Day: 177
Miles Today: 0
Location: Dave's house, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Another 0 day. Dave drove me to Highlands and Cashier's. I bought a sleeping
pad. I was loosing a lot of heat through my back. This should help.
A relaxing day.
Date: November 25 2000
Trail Day: 178
Miles Today: 0
Location: Dave's house, Georgia
Section Mile: AT 1957
ECT Mile: 2658
Decided to take another 0 day. The weather was supposed to be very
cold and wet. The system however passed fairly quickly and things
looked better by noon. I will be back on the trail tomorrow.
I am now back in shape. I have rested well and eaten a lot. I hope
I did not shock the others by eating so much. Ann is also a very
good cook. Thanks Dave and Ann for having me over for Thanks Giving -
This was a break I needed badly.
Also a note on their cat - Precious. She is an unusual cat that really
grows on you. She is slightly long, is almost black with some grey/yellow.
She becomes extremely active at about 7:00 am and runs around full
blast. It's almost like a cartoon where you cannot see the cat but
only hear the sounds of the damage she leaves, because she is so fast. I did not like cats before
the trail. But on the trail I have played with some and have become quite
fond of them. Precious is now my favorite cat.
Date: November 26 2000
Trail Day: 179
Miles Today: 11
Location: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1968
ECT Mile: 2669
Got up, had a good breakfast and was back on the trail by about noon.
Thanks again Dave and Ann.
Started off with a long climb. Met Firebreather and Fall Girl at the
first shelter. It was nice to see them again. We exchanged Smoky
horror stories. It looks like the cold and Thanks Giving has delayed
most hikers. I was expecting at least 10 to be ahead of me now but
only 2 are.
Stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter and had some Indian food. It was very
good.
Date: November 27 2000
Trail Day: 180
Miles Today: 17
Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Section Mile: AT 1985
ECT Mile: 2686
Slept well last night. The temperature remained just above freezing.
I am really liking the sleeping pad. Its only 4 feet and I will get
a 6 ft one at the Nantahala Outdoor Center later today.
Stopped for a while at Sassafrer Gap Shelter. Its an old shelter and
looks bad. I had been out of water most of the day. There was a good
spring near the shelter and I drank to my heart's content.
Then came a climb to Cheooh Bald. The trail did not run through any
significant bald areas. Saw 4 or 5 camp sites there, which would be usable
only during spring or summer.
A small up and then a long and slow descent to the Nantahala river.
There are 3 restaurants here all of which are closed for the winter.
I was lucky to make it in before the resort closed. Got a bunk space, bought
a 6 ft sleeping pad and got a ride to a nearby convenience store from
the lady who made the registration. The store had only 1 plastic bag
in which they tried to stuff too many things. It had a huge hole by the
time I got back but nothing fell out.
This is a very nice place. I have now eaten and am ready for bed.
Only 130 miles more to Springer moutain. I am now done with elevations
beyond 6000 ft. Once I cross Standing Indian mountain (5500 ft) in a
few days I will also be done with 5000 footers - I think I will have
4000 footers till I clear Georgia - another 350 miles or so. Alabama
only has 2000 footers. I am now quite eager to get out of the mountains
before the real winter sets in. As it is I cleared the Smokies by the skin
of my teeth. Looks like I will complete the AT on the 7th of December.
Date: November 28 2000
Trail Day: 181
Miles Today: 16
Location: Near Licklog Gap
Section Mile: AT 2001
ECT Mile: 2702
The NOC center was fabulous. Got a slightly late start. Most of the day
seemed to be an unending climb. The shelters now are poorly built/maintained.
Two were also missing registers.
I was planning on doing a 20 or so mile day but became tired near a nice flat
camping spot. Decided to tarp. Had a night visitor at about mid night.
It was either a racoon or a skunk - black with white stripes and a very
bushy tail. I tried to shoo it away but it came back. It was so close
I could have touched it. My photon light seemed to have absolutely no
effect on it. I gave it a good whack with my hiking pole and it ran
away.
The temperature over night rose to about 45 from 32 F. Rained for maybe
30 seconds.
Date: November 29 2000
Trail Day: 182
Miles Today: 21
Location: Big Spring Shelter
Section Mile: AT
ECT Mile:
Got an early start today. It was fairly warm when I started. I had to
collect all the scattered trash - thanks to last night's visitor. It
started raining within half an hour of starting. Some places at higher
elevations still have bits and pieces of snow and ice. My pack cover
would not fit over the sleeping pad. I had to tear it and somehow make
it fit - I will have to buy a new one. I dont even know if they sell
anything this large. One of my shoe lace is also in bad shape. I had
tried to thaw my shoe using my alcohol stove in the Smokies. The lace
was a casualty.
Today's section was somewhat easier and I managed the 20 miles. There
is now a chance that I will not see any thru hikers. The closest ahead
are a day in front - Firebreather and Fall Girl are slowing down for
Sweet Cicily and George and hence wont be able to catch up to me.
I am now less than 100 miles from Springer and am quite excited
Date: November 30 2000
Trail Day: 183
Miles Today: 19
Location: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 2041
ECT Mile: 2742
Slept warm but it was a cold night. The sleeping pad does make a huge
difference. My water bottle froze partially and my boots were also stiff.
The first couple of miles had me very frustrated. My long johns were
slipping off my butt, then my pants. I was wearing mittens and could
not control my poles well. It was a sharp down with ice in many
places. My poles would get stuck and I would pull it in frustration.
After that the trail was much easier. It was a beautiful day with
the sun shining but still cold. Found an abandoned shoe near the trail
and decided to salvage the lace. The shoe was frozen stiff and I had to
spend 10 minutes getting the lace out. I now have a white lace and a
blue lace.
The climb up Standing Indian mountain was slow and steady. A trail
maintainer showed me some spots with terrific views.
Debated between staying in this shelter versus pushing on another
3 miles into Georiga. Decided not to.
By clearing Standing Indian mountain I now have no 5000 footers.
Have not met any thru-hikers since Fontana dam except Firebreather
and Fall Girl.
