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.
Date: December 04 2000
Trail Day: 187
Miles Today: 13
Location: Gooch Gap Shelter
Section Mile: AT 2102
ECT Mile: 2803
I was debating last night whether to take a O at Neel's Gap or not. Finally
decided to push on. I am quite anxious to get out of the mountains and its
a good idea to chip away at the miles. Took photos of
Lionheart
. He has polio
but has hiked the AT, PCT and from San Deigo to Florida. Next year he walks
from Katahdin to Washington State. Also took a photo of
Keith
who runs Goose
Creek Cabin.
Tried to buy a liner at the
Walasi-Yi center
but they did not have one.
Someone had left an old summer bag for a refund and they let me have it
for 20 $. They are very kind folks here.
Blood mountain was a decent climb. After that it was fairly flat. Met 2 ladies
day hiking. I had met them a few days ago. Saw markings made by someone
dragging something big on the snow. There was also blood every once in a
while. Some hunter with a deer probably.
Picked up the next set of map from Suches.This new version does not have the
Benton-Mackaye portion on it. I bought a Georgia Atlas and Gazette to help
me out. Talked to Churi and got back on the trail. Another 3 miles and I
was at the shelter.
A shot
Date: December 05 2000
Trail Day: 188
Miles Today: 17
Location: Springer Shelter
Section Mile: AT 2119
ECT Mile: 2820
Slept very warm last night. The second sleeping bag helps a lot. The trail
started off quite rough. Had several climbs till noon and I was huffing
and puffing. My pack is also very heavy now at about 42 lbs. I will have to
wait till I get into warmer weather before I can lighten my load.
Saw the junction with Benton-Mackaye trail. It is well marked with white
diamonds and seems to be well maintained. I was extremely happy as I do
not have a map for this trail and will be relying solely on the trail blazes.
I now have almost 50 miles of the Benton-Mackaye trail, 150 of the Georgia
Pinhoti, 150 of the Alabama Pinhoti, and a 200 mile roadwalk to the Florida Trail.
Met a hiker at the Stower Creek Shelter. He is starting a north bound hike
to W. Virginia. I don't know if he's naive or very courageous. I am running
from the cold, he's running into it. Anyway, I wish him the best. He gave me
some brandy to celebrate my near completion of the AT.
The remaining 2.5 miles to Springer just flew by. It felt strange
to have completed the AT. Took several shots.
shot 1
shot 2
shot 3
shot 4
shot 5
shot 6
shot 7
shot 8
I now start the more "adventurous" part of the hike - poor maps, poor trails
and no one else for help or company.
