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.
Date: December 01 2000
Trail Day: 184
Miles Today: 12
Location: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Section Mile: AT 2053
ECT Mile: 2754
My feet went numb last night although my water bottles did not freeze.
It was also a very still night. I dont know what caused the numbness.
Crossed over into Georgia - my sixteenth state. Took a
shot
. I am getting
quite eager to get out of the mountains and into slightly warmer areas.
The mountains have become less steep and there are some flats on the
ridges, something I haven't seen since Virginia. The vegetation has also
changed slightly with some areas quite brushy. All in all, good indications
that the mountain chain is starting to end.
Rest of the hike was quite easy and got to US 76 by about noon. There
were 3 guys just finishing a hike. One of them got very bad knee problems and
they had to cut their trip short. Got a ride from them to the hostel.
No one was there, so I left my pack and hitch hiked into Hiawasee to get
food and groceries.
This is a nice hostel run by very good folks. The only problem is there
are no stores or restaurants near by.
Data book says I have another 67.9 miles of AT to go. I will be completing
the AT on the 5th around noon. From there the smaller trails take me
almost back to the Tennesee border before going almost southeast all
the way to the middle of Alabama. Then a dead south roadwalk to Florida,
where I catch the Florida Trail. Florida - Ahh !! the land of sunshine.
Can't wait for it !
At the border
Date: December 02 2000
Trail Day: 185
Miles Today: 18
Location: Blue mountain Shelter
Section Mile: AT 2071
ECT Mile: 2772
Had a good breakfast at the hostel. Gary and Lennei - people who ran
the hostel are very nice folks. Got a ride to the trail at about 10.
Most of the trail was fairly easy except for the last climb onto
Blue mountain. Saw many day hikers. This shelter is located very poorly -
catches the wind. Looks like its going to snow. I have set up my tarp
in front of the shelter to block the wind.
Date: December 03 2000
Trail Day: 186
Miles Today: 18
Location: Goose Creek Cabins, Neel's Gap
Section Mile: AT 2089
ECT Mile: 2790
The wind picked up last night and blew the tarp. By morning the entire
shelter was covered with snow. There were 2 other guys from Atlanta
camping near the shelter. They said they were heading back because it was too cold. Talked to them for a while and started off.
We've had about 4 inches of
snow
. One section followed an old logging
road and was hence graded. Made good time on this. There were animal
tracks along the snow. It was fun following them. Sometimes they would
go off but then come back.
Later in the afternoon the snow began to melt away and my shoes and socks
got all wet. Decided to stop at Neel's gap and get a warm room. The cold
and snow are starting to wear me down now.
