Saturday, October 13, 2012
Hiawasee, GA
Heres a quick update, about to start hiking. Crossed into GA yesterday morning and resupplied in Hiawasee GA which was our final town stop. Our packs are alittle heavier than usual because we had to pick up Springer Mtn celebration supplies. Only 66 miles to the finish! Will be done on Tuesday.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Robbinsville, NC
Made an unplanned stop in robbinsville NC today. While hiking in this beautiful cold rain I slipped and bashed my shin pretty good on a rock and had to hitch into town and get 6 stitches. No big deal though, the people at the clinic took good care of me and I'm staying in one of the nicest hostels of the trail with a hot shower and bed instead of camping in the freezing rain. Back to the trail in the morning though. I'm shooting to finish up October 16th so only about a week more.
We lucked out with the weather breaking the day we came out of hot springs so we camped on top of Max Patch bald where we got a great sunset and sunrise.
Then we went into Great Smokey Mountain National Park which was awesome. The weather cooperated really well which doesn't happen alot and we were treated to some awesome views of the biggest mountains on the trail. My mom came out and hiked with me for an afternoon when I went up clingmans dome. She was a trooper and kept a solid pace despite the fact I didn't choose the easiest section of trail.
Only one more resupply in Hiawasee GA and then on to Springer.
We lucked out with the weather breaking the day we came out of hot springs so we camped on top of Max Patch bald where we got a great sunset and sunrise.
Then we went into Great Smokey Mountain National Park which was awesome. The weather cooperated really well which doesn't happen alot and we were treated to some awesome views of the biggest mountains on the trail. My mom came out and hiked with me for an afternoon when I went up clingmans dome. She was a trooper and kept a solid pace despite the fact I didn't choose the easiest section of trail.
Only one more resupply in Hiawasee GA and then on to Springer.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Hot Springs, NC
Just a quick update from hot springs. It thunderstormed on us for 2 of the last 3 days. Getting ready to head back on the trail and it's raining again. Will be in the smokies in 2 days and luckily the weather is looking better later this week. My mom is coming out to hike with me for the afternoon on friday. I only have about 270 miles left. Should be done in just around 2 weeks. 
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Erwin, TN
Had a great stretch of hiking after we crossed the TN boarder. We passed laurel and jones falls which were pretty huge waterfalls. Then we crossed into NC for the first time and went through the Roan Highlands (the trail crosses back and forth between NC and TN for the next 175 miles). The highlands were awesome, we took a short day so we could take in all the views from the balds. That night we stayed at roan high shelter which is the highest shelter on the AT, surprisingly I didn't freeze to death tenting because the shelter was full.
When we resupplied in The town of Roan Mtn I had the best burger on the trail at bob's dairy land. It was a true hiker burger called the holy cow. It had 3 patties, 6 slices of bacon, 3 slices of ham, Swiss & American cheese, 2 onion rings, and a scoop of chili on it. It was the monster burger thru hikers dream about.
When we resupplied in The town of Roan Mtn I had the best burger on the trail at bob's dairy land. It was a true hiker burger called the holy cow. It had 3 patties, 6 slices of bacon, 3 slices of ham, Swiss & American cheese, 2 onion rings, and a scoop of chili on it. It was the monster burger thru hikers dream about.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Damascus, VA
The last few days have been really cold and wet. It rained hard for about 2 days straight. Luckily the weather cooperated yesterday as we went through grayson highlands state park. Surprisingly the wild ponies didn't harass us much (they're notorious for stealing food).
When we climbed up onto the ridge the park is on it was like someone flipped a switch from summer to fall. With the elevation gain We had night time temperatures in the mid 30's and the leaves are starting to change color. I'm going to have to pick up some warmer clothes because we pretty much keep gaining elevation from here on out. It's looking like we should hit the fall colors with perfect timing in the smokies.
My shoes also crapped out about 25 miles from town yesterday. It took a lot of duct tape to get them to Damascus.
Off into Tennessee tomorrow. Damascus is only about 3 miles from the state line. And with only 460 trail miles left its truly starting to feel like I'm getting into the home stretch.
When we climbed up onto the ridge the park is on it was like someone flipped a switch from summer to fall. With the elevation gain We had night time temperatures in the mid 30's and the leaves are starting to change color. I'm going to have to pick up some warmer clothes because we pretty much keep gaining elevation from here on out. It's looking like we should hit the fall colors with perfect timing in the smokies.
My shoes also crapped out about 25 miles from town yesterday. It took a lot of duct tape to get them to Damascus.
Off into Tennessee tomorrow. Damascus is only about 3 miles from the state line. And with only 460 trail miles left its truly starting to feel like I'm getting into the home stretch.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Atkins Truck Stop, VA
Haven't updated this thing in awhile, the last few town stops have been pretty busy. We came over tinker cliffs and McAfees Knob, two cool spots near school that I never went to. Then we had gluttonfest at the Homeplace, my favorite restaurant ever, all you can eat family style country cooking.
Then I went into Blacksburg for the weekend where we started tailgating at 1 am, went to a football game and discharged some firearms.
Had the worst/most hilariously best resupply ever. The guidebooks list Atkins as a good resupply, all that's there is a truck stop. I'm going to be living off honey buns, chips, and candy bars until I get to Damascus on Thursday. Then onward into Tennessee.
Then I went into Blacksburg for the weekend where we started tailgating at 1 am, went to a football game and discharged some firearms.
Had the worst/most hilariously best resupply ever. The guidebooks list Atkins as a good resupply, all that's there is a truck stop. I'm going to be living off honey buns, chips, and candy bars until I get to Damascus on Thursday. Then onward into Tennessee.
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