May 11
Total Miles - 156
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| NC/GA Border |
Everything seems to be clicking. I haven't taken and Advil in the last few days. The first week i couldn't stay still for more than a few minutes without my whole body cramping from the top of my head to my toes once i started moving again. I can actually get out of my sleeping bag without cringing. Anyways, things are looking up. I'm starting to notice more things around me as opposed to focusing my energy on putting one foot in front of the other. Yep, things are starting to get easier.
I spend most of my days hiking solo through the mountains. I actually prefer to do it this way, because i then don't have to keep up, or slow down, for anybody. I also get to contemplate and soak in the day. I usually meet up with fellow hikers at the next shelter. This is where most of the socializing takes place. Mostly talk of the miles put in for the day. The most memorable to date being the hike to the fire tower atop Albert Mountain. Un-friggin real.
I've met a number of really interesting fellow travelers at the towns and shelters along the way. There are the two brothers from Pennsylvania who decided to hike the AT when laid off do to the economic downturn. On the opposite end of the spectrum are hikers who seem to think hiking the AT is an endeavor devoid of risk and effort. For instance, there was a hiker who started, and since left, the trail woefully under equipped. With temperatures at higher elevations of northern GA and NC reaching the 30's it is very easy to experience hypothermia. One thing you don't want to do when the temperature drops is to be wearing cotton when hiking. A person cools and sometimes without even noticing starts to experience hypothermia. This hiker not only wore only cotton, but didn't even have the clothing to comfortably and safely hike in higher elevations. He also only had an open hammock to sleep in. That is a disaster in the making should he have been caught in a storm on top of a mountain. Needless to say his trip is done.
Two of my most favorite people i've had the fortunate pleasure to have met is O.C. and Gahndi. Having initially met O.C. and Gahndi (trail names) at the Len's Foote Hike Inn on the night of the killer storm that swept through northern Alabama. We would run into each other every couple of days and set up camp together or hike a few miles together, but during that time we would have a few laughs and engaging conversations. O.C. has left the trail and Gahndi has continued on with the goal of finishing up at the top of Katahdin before heading to Peru.
Here a few more pictures from the trail:
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Drop box sent to resupply my food along the trail. This one was picked up in Hiawassee.
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Might as well have been the Ritz Carlton as far as i was concerned. Heaven!!
Hiawassee
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| BBQ right next door! |
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| My backpack |
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5 days worth of food
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Here is dinner one night
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| Chicken and Dumplings for dinner. That white thing is my stove |
If anyone is curious as to what i sleep in here's my tent:
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Step 1: Footprint. You put this down to protect your tent and helps with condensation.
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| Step 2: The tent. I use the Big Agnes Copper Light UL2. I looked at a few and i love this ! |
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| Step 3: Poles |
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| Step 4: Clip the tent to the poles |
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| Step 5: Add the rain fly |
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| Home Sweet Home |
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| My Kitchen |
One of the easier strolls
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| Yes, this is the trail |
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| Water Refill |
Doing Laundry
