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.
