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Trail Journal




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.



Date: December 06 2000
Trail Day: 189
Miles Today: 17
Location: Near SR 60
Section Mile: BMT 17
ECT Mile: 2837

First a note on the Benton-Mackaye trail. Benton Mackaye is considered the father of the AT. He envisioned a network of trails. The BMT is an attempt in that direction.

It was a beautiful morning. Took some shots - 1 2. The first 5 miles criss-crossed the AT 3 times. Then it ran along the AT for a mile before veering off for good. Took a shot at the junction and said a sad good bye to the AT.

Shots of the sign.

It looks like the old AT used to run along the present BMT for a while. I could see faint white blazes at places. It ran along several streams for a while before climbing upto the ridge top. No one has been here in the past 4 days - there are no foot prints in the snow. Also saw no one today.

I was anticipating the trail to go North West but instead its going North East. I decided to get to SR 60 and hitch a ride to a nearby town to call Vivek. He has an older set of maps that shows the BMT. However, it was quite late and I could not get a ride.

Decided to set up camp and try hiking another day and see what happens. The trail almost has to go West now to get to Dyer Gap where it picks up the Georgia Pinhoti.

The stove tumbled over while cooking twice and set the leaves on fire. Had to douse it out and salvage my dinner. Hope tomorrow is better.



Date: December 07 2000
Trail Day: 190
Miles Today: 11
Location: Day's Inn, Blue Ridge
Section Mile: BMT 28
ECT Mile: 2848

Slept extremely warm last night although the temperature dropped below freezing. Its definitely much warmer sleeping outside in a tarp. Got an early start. Today's section was quite hard. I also had no water because I had to use most of the water bottle to put out the fire. I realized you can get tired quickly when you dont have water. I ate some snow along the way, but you can only eat so much before the mouth goes numb.

The trail went north east but then turned around and headed west - the desired direction. I got to SR 60. I had some 10 more miles before I could get to any water. Also I was very worn out, so I decided to hitch hike to Blue Ridge, some 11 miles away. It took me a long time to get a ride. Finally got a ride from a local guy who hauls timber. The truck was beaten down and couldn't go more than 15 mph. It also made loud clanging noices. It was an interesting ride.

Called Kumar and Suriyan and got a general layout of the BMT. It does go to Dyer Gap - I was relieved. Also talked to Vivek and he faxed me the map sections. I am now completely set for the BMT. I have very good people supporting me, thats for sure.



Date: December 08 2000
Trail Day: 191
Miles Today: 0
Location: Day's Inn, Blue Ridge
Section Mile: BMT 28
ECT Mile: 2848

Decided to take a O day. Did the normal eating, drinking. Took a nap. Now eager to be back on the trail. It looks like I am done with 4000 footers. I have a couple of 3000's and I will be done with those. Things are starting to look up.



Date: December 09 2000
Trail Day: 192
Miles Today: 11
Location: Near Fall Branch Falls
Section Mile: BMT 39
ECT Mile: 2859

Got a late start today. Tried to get a ride for a long time. Took about 2 hours to get a ride - I am definitely off the AT. It was a local guy and he gave me a ride all the way to Wilscot Gap. This was unusual because I had to take 2 roads to get there. Saw several cars parked there with BMT and AT stickers. A little down the trail I met a maintenance crew. They were a very friendly lot. Also met Marty Domini, president of GPT. Got information on the Georgia Pinhoti trail from him. Another maintainer gave me the set of maps for the rest of the BMT. So I have now gone from having no information to having all the info.

The trail continued to be moderately difficult. I realized that I need to cut my pack weight. I will have to clear the Alabama Pinhoti before I can do anything.

Even though I did only 11 miles today I was quite worn out. Met another 4 day hikers towards the end. This trail is a lot more popular and well maintained than I thought. The BMT association has done a fantastic job.







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