Sunday, May 6, 2012
Day 35: 5/5/12
Somehow this day's entry was deleted. Oh well, nothing special, I hiked in the rain for awhile, no big deal.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Day 34: 5/4/12
Miles today: 15.8
Total miles 434.0
Spent last night alone at the shelter; no one else showed up. The solitude continued into this morning's hike, a long, steep uphill climb up the cliffs. I could tell I was the first hiker to walk this particular section of the trail today because I walked through about a million spider webs. That is one of the rudest sensations one can experience in nature (though I'm told having a camel spit on on you ranks highly, as well). Constantly having to peel spider webs from your brow, cheeks, ears, nose, neck, etc. No fun.
And the solitude continued all day. I didn't see a single other hiker today. And I'm alone at tonight's shelter as well, unless someone rolls in just before sundown. Nice, having plenty of alone time today.
Tonight's dinner is fettuccine al fredo with anchovies!
Camped at Vandeventer shelter.
Total miles 434.0
Spent last night alone at the shelter; no one else showed up. The solitude continued into this morning's hike, a long, steep uphill climb up the cliffs. I could tell I was the first hiker to walk this particular section of the trail today because I walked through about a million spider webs. That is one of the rudest sensations one can experience in nature (though I'm told having a camel spit on on you ranks highly, as well). Constantly having to peel spider webs from your brow, cheeks, ears, nose, neck, etc. No fun.
And the solitude continued all day. I didn't see a single other hiker today. And I'm alone at tonight's shelter as well, unless someone rolls in just before sundown. Nice, having plenty of alone time today.
Tonight's dinner is fettuccine al fredo with anchovies!
Camped at Vandeventer shelter.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Day 33: 5/3/12
Miles today: 17.5
Total miles: 418.2
Easy hiking today for the most part. Nice and level overall. Rumor had it that it'd be like this between Erwin, TN and Damascus, VA. But so far that rumor had been false. So after today I have renewed hope that not only will the rest of the trail into Virginia be flat(ish), but that Virginia itself may truly be this magical mystical land of milk and honey, where the terrain is flat, the streams flow with lemonade and whiskey, and the streets are paved with foot massages.
The end of the day was a nice climb up a few cliffs, with several views of waterfalls.
Staying at Laurel Fork shelter.
Total miles: 418.2
Easy hiking today for the most part. Nice and level overall. Rumor had it that it'd be like this between Erwin, TN and Damascus, VA. But so far that rumor had been false. So after today I have renewed hope that not only will the rest of the trail into Virginia be flat(ish), but that Virginia itself may truly be this magical mystical land of milk and honey, where the terrain is flat, the streams flow with lemonade and whiskey, and the streets are paved with foot massages.
The end of the day was a nice climb up a few cliffs, with several views of waterfalls.
Staying at Laurel Fork shelter.
Day 32: 5/2/12
Miles today: 15.1
Total miles: 400.7
Very diverse hike today; first climbed two large grassy balds then through some farmland. After stopping at a hostel for a resupply I left North Carolina for good. I'm in Tennessee solely (no longer on the TN/NC border) until I reach Virginia in a few days.
Next walked through a grassy field, followed by pine forest before coming to Mountaineer Falls shelter. This is the nicest shelter I've seen on the AT so far.
Had to drop my pack and walk back down the trail about 1/4 mile when I realized I'd dropped my glasses. But there they were, just casually resting on the ground in the middle of a field, as if they belonged there. If only I didn't hate wearing contacts.
A few challenges today: I've been sick for the last two days, which I attribute to the goofy dangerous weather on Roan Mtn a few days back. This makes hiking difficult. Also, I've run out of my water treatment chemicals. I'll be able to get more in about four days, but in the meantime I'll have to boil it and hope I don't run out of fuel.
Oh, and to my hiker friends from New England: they're called "pop tarts," not "pup tarts."
Total miles: 400.7
Very diverse hike today; first climbed two large grassy balds then through some farmland. After stopping at a hostel for a resupply I left North Carolina for good. I'm in Tennessee solely (no longer on the TN/NC border) until I reach Virginia in a few days.
Next walked through a grassy field, followed by pine forest before coming to Mountaineer Falls shelter. This is the nicest shelter I've seen on the AT so far.
Had to drop my pack and walk back down the trail about 1/4 mile when I realized I'd dropped my glasses. But there they were, just casually resting on the ground in the middle of a field, as if they belonged there. If only I didn't hate wearing contacts.
A few challenges today: I've been sick for the last two days, which I attribute to the goofy dangerous weather on Roan Mtn a few days back. This makes hiking difficult. Also, I've run out of my water treatment chemicals. I'll be able to get more in about four days, but in the meantime I'll have to boil it and hope I don't run out of fuel.
Oh, and to my hiker friends from New England: they're called "pop tarts," not "pup tarts."
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Day 30: 4/30/12
Miles today: 14.8
Total miles: 373.8
Pretty uneventful day for the most part. Nice hot weather, pleasant hiking, good views. Even had a nice little catnap after lunch.
At the end of the day was a 3-mile, 2,000-ft climb up Roan Mountain. No problem. Except that after about two miles the weather turned on us. I was hearing thunder so started to haul ass in order to stay ahead of the weather. Then the rain came. No problem. Then the lightning came. Problem. At over 6000 ft, this is when bad things can happen. I came to a campsite where few other guys had pitched their tents and decided to stop as well. As I put up my tent the hail started. Threw all my gear in the tent and jumped in. Things stayed dry for the most part luckily.
Then the lighting really started hammering us and it was CLOSE. No more than a second between the flash and the thunder.
Then a river of cold water rushed under my tent, creating an icy waterbed. So when the hail stopped we all moved our tents to non-river-type locations. Just in time, too, because it's hailing again.
I gotta get out of these southern mountains. In a week or so I'll be in Virginia.
But for today I'm calling foul on Mother Nature.
Total miles: 373.8
Pretty uneventful day for the most part. Nice hot weather, pleasant hiking, good views. Even had a nice little catnap after lunch.
At the end of the day was a 3-mile, 2,000-ft climb up Roan Mountain. No problem. Except that after about two miles the weather turned on us. I was hearing thunder so started to haul ass in order to stay ahead of the weather. Then the rain came. No problem. Then the lightning came. Problem. At over 6000 ft, this is when bad things can happen. I came to a campsite where few other guys had pitched their tents and decided to stop as well. As I put up my tent the hail started. Threw all my gear in the tent and jumped in. Things stayed dry for the most part luckily.
Then the lighting really started hammering us and it was CLOSE. No more than a second between the flash and the thunder.
Then a river of cold water rushed under my tent, creating an icy waterbed. So when the hail stopped we all moved our tents to non-river-type locations. Just in time, too, because it's hailing again.
I gotta get out of these southern mountains. In a week or so I'll be in Virginia.
But for today I'm calling foul on Mother Nature.
Day 29: 4/29/12
Miles today: 17.0
Total miles: 359.0
A garden variety day on the AT today. Put in some good miles, saw some nice views. Had a water scare today - ran out of water and had to climb a few mountains and walk for about two hours before coming to a spring.
I love water.
Camping near Cherry Gap shelter.
Total miles: 359.0
A garden variety day on the AT today. Put in some good miles, saw some nice views. Had a water scare today - ran out of water and had to climb a few mountains and walk for about two hours before coming to a spring.
I love water.
Camping near Cherry Gap shelter.
Day 31: 5/1/12
Miles today: 11.8
Total miles: 386.5
Finally made it over Roan Mtn this morning after last night's weather cut yesterday's hike short. Several ups and downs in elevation today, with the usual beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Stopped early today; I'm nursing a shin splint that's slowing me down. I camped at a clearing with this dude "Lucky Ten," who was among those of us caught in the hail on Roan. It was just the two of us, we had some good conversation over a campfire. He's an older guy, in his early fifties, which makes him far more fun to talk to than many of the younger guys who only talk about boring inane stuff like stupid things they did with their buddies when they drank too much MGD.
Heading into town tomorrow to resupply. Not sure which town just yet but we'll see.
Total miles: 386.5
Finally made it over Roan Mtn this morning after last night's weather cut yesterday's hike short. Several ups and downs in elevation today, with the usual beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Stopped early today; I'm nursing a shin splint that's slowing me down. I camped at a clearing with this dude "Lucky Ten," who was among those of us caught in the hail on Roan. It was just the two of us, we had some good conversation over a campfire. He's an older guy, in his early fifties, which makes him far more fun to talk to than many of the younger guys who only talk about boring inane stuff like stupid things they did with their buddies when they drank too much MGD.
Heading into town tomorrow to resupply. Not sure which town just yet but we'll see.
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