Our First Appalachian Trail Hike

[buck]

DAY 1 (Saturday, April 10, 2010)

We got up early, carried the kids to my parents, and headed toward the Springer Mountain parking area. There is absolutely nothing good about leaving your kids. If any good exist it’s knowing they are with our parents and will be cared for as if they were with us. As usually happens, we haven’t even arrived at our destination when we both mention already missing the kids. I think that’s the way it’s suppose to be.

We drove up to the Springer Mountain trailhead by way of Ellijay. The forest service road (FS 42) was in very good shape coming from the west. It was about 6.5 miles to the Springer Mountain parking lot via FS 42 from the west.

When we arrived at the Springer Mountain parking area we found it full of vehicles and shuttles dropping off more hikers. Luckily a truck was leaving as we pulled in and we were able to park in the lot. There were actually a few cars parked on FS 42. After parking we put on our hiking shoes, I grabbed the day pack and off we went to see the trail we’d only read about until now.

The trail to the southern terminus was rocky in places, but otherwise not difficult at all. One thing that stood out to us was the fact that there were no leaves on the trees in the mountains. There were leaves on our trees at home and all along the way until we hit the mountains. This was not a bad thing, though, because it allowed us to see the mountains above and below.

At the southern terminus we met an elderly man named “Many Sleeps,” a former thru hiker, present ridge runner and caretaker of Springer. He was sitting in a camp chair reading, but as hikers arrived he greeted them, took pictures, talked trail talk, answered questions, gave advice, etc. He was a very nice man.

“Many Sleeps” took our picture and then we took many more as well as video from Springer Mountain. Throughout this time other hikers were arriving from the north and several on the approach trail from the south. After about 30 minutes of picture taking, conversation, and taking in the view, we headed back north toward the parking area.

Along the way we took the side trail to the Springer Mountain shelter. We both saw our first bear cable rig and trail privy, not to mention Many Sleeps’ campsite and information sign on the approach trail to the shelter. At the shelter a hiker with a big black dog had hung his hammock next to the shelter. As we made some video of the area the dog barked at us and another hiker that followed. The hiker that followed was planning to hike to Virginia before getting off the trail. The one in the hammock … well, he looked lost and out of place to us, not to mention the fact that he needed to do something with the dog.

We headed back to the AT when I realized I had not sent a SPOT message back to our children and family from the southern terminus. So April took a seat beside the trail and I headed back to the beginning where I sent an OK message back home using our SPOT messenger.

Upon returning we stopped at the Benton MacKaye trail link and talked about how this was our path home to Alabama … but we passed on the opportunity to walk back home and opted to continue on the AT.

Once back at the Springer parking area we took a few more pictures and headed east on FS 42 toward Dahlonega. This part of FS 42 was a bit rougher and required us to stay on dirt roads nearly twice the mileage as the route we took to arrive at Springer. Nevertheless we made it off the mountain and to the paved road without any issues and headed on to Dahlonega for supper and a motel stay.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/jjaoSqQCDmw&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/jjaoSqQCDmw&rel=0</a>

When we arrived at Dahlonega we checked into the motel and then went to eat supper. Afterwards we rode back up the mountain a piece to locate the Hiker Hostel since they would provide our shuttle back to Springer the next morning. We did not want to run late for not being able to find the hostel. Turns out it is very easy to locate.

At the motel April got a laugh over the fact that I had brought the bathroom scales to weigh our packs one last time. Little did she know that I was making sure her pack weight remained under 20 pounds with water. Every hike we had been on it had been my goal to make her load as light as possible. Our hikes on the Pinhoti had taught us much about what to do, but even more we had learned a ton about what not to do when it came to packs and what to carry. As a result we were able to keep her weight low. The pack looks heavy, but what’s inside is light and bulky – i.e. clothes, tent, sleeping bags, and the like. I actually weighed everything – and I mean everything – that we were packing and put it on a spreadsheet to reference while packing. In so doing I was able to pack April’s pack with 95% of the things we would need only for sleeping. Everything else, including food, was in my pack. Together, without water, we had a combined weight of right at 45 pounds. This includes enough food for five days! I think on our first hike for one night I had 45 pounds just in my pack!

We took time to upload the video and pictures we made on our trip to Springer Mountain. April and I both talked about how great it was to be where so many others of whom we had read had been before. Being there made their stories and journals even better.

It’s 10:42 and I have repacked most of our stuff. I have the down filled sleeping bags unrolled and laid across the bed. I’ll repack them in the morning before we head out. As I have done many times before on our hikes, I look at April asleep and think of how blessed I am to have a wife that enjoys the outdoors. I have many friends who would give almost anything if their mate shared certain hobbies and activities in common with them. I have such a one and am glad we’re on another hike together.

[buck]

DAY 2 (Sunday, April 11, 2010)

We woke early, took a shower, loaded our backpacks in the car, grabbed a biscuit and coffee to go from the hotel lobby, and drove to the Hiker Hostel where we would leave our vehicle and get a shuttle to Springer.

The Hiker Hostel is beautiful. We parked our Tahoe and walked up the hill and went inside where we found Leigh cleaning the table. She and Josh turned out to be very nice folks and talkative about their business, hiking experience, the AT, etc. Our scheduled shuttle time was 8:30, but due to Josh having to make an early shuttle run our trip was delayed by about an hour.

Shuttling along with us was a group of hikers from Florida plus three other hikers - one who sounded as if he might have been from Australia. Two hikers were dropped off at Woody Gap, the group from Florida at Cooper Gap, us and one other hiker at Springer, and the last was going to Amicalola Falls.

The Springer parking area was once again full. There were several vehicles that were obviously shuttles with their drivers offering last minute tips and advice. Josh, our shuttle driver from the Hiker Hostel, conversed with the other shuttle drivers while we unloaded our packs and prepared to head north. Josh was super nice, not to mention funny. He had some humorous tales about hiking that helped to make the time pass as we drove to Springer. Rob, the hiker who shuttled to Springer with us, took our picture and off we went to the north.

As we were evaluating our packs, April commented on the packs the other hikers were carrying. “Did you see how much stuff they had in their packs?” I knew then that she had bought in to all of this – she was noticing pack weight. She had a point, though, because although we had enough supplies for five days, our packs were the smallest in the van. Two years ago our packs would have been the largest … for less than two days of hiking. “Much to learn, you have” and “learn much” we did. I guess I officially have a “hiker babe” on the trail with me.

Several things really stood out as we began heading north on the AT today. First of all, the trail is wider than the ones back home. Secondly, as the trail would wind around the side of a ridge it remained somewhat flat. Also, once again you can’t help but notice the blooms at the bottom of the mountains, and winter at the top – no blooms or leaves yet.

We stopped at Stover Creek shelter so April could use the privy. We had loaded up on coffee at the hostel and then rode for about an hour as the shuttle dropped off hikers at different parts of the trail. So April needed to use the privy – something we did not have on the trails at home, but something she said she would utilize as much as possible.

Stover Creek shelter is one of the nicest looking shelters we have seen. There were a lot of places to camp around the shelter and there was evidence suggesting the shelter and surrounding area were very popular. April signed the registry and off we went.

There was plenty of water for about the first four miles as the trail followed a large creek most of the way. As we were crossing the creek at one point we were passed by Rob who is on his way to Virginia. Also ran into another man, no pack, just a camera.

I assume we are eating lunch by Stover Creek. Since this is a campsite I’m calling it Stover Creek campsite in my journal. We packed Lipton chicken soup for lunch today along with some extra dehydrated chicken meat I had prepared at home. While the water was heating up I went to the creek to filter more to carry up the trail. Several hikers came by while we were eating. April is beginning to take over more and more of the “duties” which makes us more efficient.

While eating we took off our socks and shoes and allowed them to dry. I was beginning to feel what seemed like the early signs of a blister on my left foot. I’ve never had a problem with blisters on my feet with these shoes, but the new insoles and socks may not be as good of a fit as I thought. April takes a good look at the spot and says it does look somewhat red. Out with a bandage and duct tape and all is well.

Just north of Three Forks we ran into three hikers. The youngest pointed down a trail and said it led to Long Creek Falls. We went to the “falls” which seemed more like a cascade to us. We got back on the AT and just a little piece up the trail we came to a sign at a blue blazed trail … Long Creek Falls. When we arrived at the falls it was simply impressive. There was a man fly fishing. We caught up with the three hikers about a mile up the trail at an old logging road where we all took a break. The younger hiker jokingly asked if we found the real falls. No clouds, no leaves, a lot of sun = hot.

About .25 miles south of Hawk Mountain Shelter we were passed by two ladies hiking like there was no tomorrow. We caught up with them at the shelter and since both of us were planning to continue hiking north we spent some time loading up with extra water – the next 6 miles were listed as dry on the guide. Also at the shelter was the hiker with the dog – the same one we met at Springer. Once again the dog barked at everyone and he did nothing. Not only this, but the dog was running loose and jumping up on the picnic table trying to get food. The hiker … well, like the first time, he was asleep in the middle of the day.

We found out that the two ladies were from South Carolina. April asked them if they ever stopped at “Liquid Highway” for coffee to which both replied, “Yes!” One of the ladies then began to tell us about meeting the owner of the coffee shop chain. Small world it is – I work with the owner’s father-in-law and have known the owner’s wife since she was born.

We left the shelter headed for Justice Creek to camp. Not too far down the trail we met another hiker headed south. She stopped us and asked, “Do you know what you are getting into? There is absolutely no water for the next six miles! I’ve just come through that section.” She had a frantic look on her face. We thanked her for the information and assured her we had plenty of water.

For the next six miles we got our first real taste of the Georgia mountains. I’m not sure what the first mountain was – somewhere around Hightower Gap I guess – but April and I will never forget the second – Sassafras Mountain and then Justus Mountain.

At the top of the first climb I caught the pair of ladies that were hiking so fast, but not much was said because we were out of breath. The ladies continued on and I waited for April. Later we once again caught up with the ladies as they decided to stop and camp. Next was Sassafras Mountain.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z9hbeiLGTgU&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Z9hbeiLGTgU&rel=0</a>

Sassafras Mountain was the toughest climb of mine and April’s not so long hiking career. As is always the case when we come to a climb, I move on ahead of April, but as I topped the hill I walked up on a man asleep on his backpack. I scared him and he scared me when he jumped up. We both had a good laugh and when April arrived we pressed on into Cooper Gap. We had about 2 miles to Justice Creek and about an hour of day light left.

The view from the top of the ridges and mountains is something we will never forget. There are no leaves at the higher elevations and you are able to see the surrounding mountains and valleys. We are videoing as much as possible hoping the camera will show what we’re able to see with the naked eye. April’s students are going to enjoy the video footage as they read about the Appalachian Mountains in her class.

Justus Mountain was the last of the trio of mountains that tried our endurance at the end of the day. It was tough, but only because Sassafras had exhausted us. We did pass a set of hiking boots someone had discarded on the trail and they actually looked fairly new, but heavy.

It was dark when we arrived at Justus Creek and I could see lights and camp fires on the north side ridge. Instead of moving into the campsite area we stopped on what looked to be an old logging road so that we would not disturb anyone that might have been asleep. We set up camp, ate supper (homemade dehydrated spaghetti), and went to sleep. I will mention that I have a small pouch in which I place a rock, attach the pouch to my cord, and throw it over a limb to hang our food. On this night I threw the bag up and over the limb and it came back and hit me on the top of the head. This will make for a good laugh tomorrow. Don’t throw rocks in the dark.

I remove the bandage and tape from my left foot. I’ll be lucky if this does not develop into a full blown blister.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/OpSoN_Ph_S4&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/OpSoN_Ph_S4&rel=0</a>

[wildkat]

quit posting such good stuff! your giving me the fever

[dogwood]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!  Great narration...

[buck]

Thank you for the comments. We have a couple more days to post along with the video we captured.

[buck]

DAY 3 (Saturday, April 12, 2010)

Last night the temperature dropped to 44 degrees. I checked the temperature the one time I woke up from what I thought was the sound of rain. I even woke April, and asked, “Can you believe it is raining?” She reminded me that was the sound of Justice Creek, not rain.

Last night we talked about how much we enjoyed our Leki trekking poles. Both of us agreed the REI gift card was well spent. The poles were in the REI Outlet plus 20% off. They weigh less than 8 ounces each and because of this we are able to basically keep them in sync with our legs going down hill and support the weight on our knees – something we practiced at home while conditioning on the hills around our house. Neither of us felt any soreness in our knees at the end of the day although we had hiked about 13 miles.

I cannot even begin to describe Justice Creek. First of all, we slept like two babies with the sound of the rushing water beside our tent. We compared it to our night’s sleep at the Hillabee Creek campsite on the Pinhoti. Secondly, the work done by trail developers, maintainers, volunteers, clubs, etc. is just phenomenal. I took a lot of video of the log steps leading down to and out of Justice Creek. Beautiful! I hope the video brings out the beauty of this place. One area we did not video was the camp site on the north side of the creek. Talk about making something nice. This place is nice!

I got up around 6:00 to the sound of an owl and went to the creek to filter water for coffee, breakfast, and hiking north. While at the creek filtering my water, an older man came down from the north side and introduced himself as Bill from central Massachusetts. Bill asked many questions about Alabama, us, our hike, etc., as he simply placed his two water bottles down in the creek and filled them with water without filtering. Once full he headed north and I returned to our campsite.

I had probably consumed several cups of coffee before April was up and moving around. She likes coffee, especially the kind that’s more like a hot milkshake. To her surprise I had sacrificed a few extra ounces in order to bring a couple packets of the fancy creamer just for her. She changed our campsite name to Justice Creek Starbucks. We ate breakfast, packed up, and off we went.

Not too far down the trail April needed to make a pit stop, but there was no privy. She was hesitant to use the restroom near the trail because, unlike the Pinhoti, there was a lot of traffic. On the Pinhoti we never worried too much about someone walking up on us, but out here privacy was not guaranteed. We finally found a place and she took care of business.

A little over a mile later we came to Gooch Mountain Shelter and nature once again called April … so off to the privy she went. Must have been the Justice Creek Starbucks coffee I made her.

While sitting in the shelter up walked the same man I had found sleeping on top of Sassafras Mountain yesterday. This time I got his name – Bob and he was from Boston. As I waited on April, Bob and I sat and talked. He asked where we camped the night before and when I said, “Justice Creek,” he began telling me about the work that had been done in that particular area. In fact, as we continued to talk it became increasingly evident that “Bob from Boston” knew his stuff – especially Appalachian Trail stuff. He even knew where our hometown of Oxford was located. He told us what to expect ahead on the trail and we said our goodbyes.

We stopped at Gooch Gap and decided to eat lunch. The trail to the water was no where to be found and a thru hiker taking a break nearby did not know where the water was either. A local hiker was walking out of the woods to his truck and I asked him about water and he pointed down FS 42 toward Suches. So off I went toward Suches and April stayed at the trailhead.

I carried our dirty shirts, socks, and underwear from the day before and, after filtering water from the stream, rinsed our clothes out. Back at the trailhead we hung our clothes in the trees and prepared lunch. We ended up staying there about an hour and most of the clothes were dry. As for the wet clothes, I tied a piece of paracord on my pack and created a clothes line. So off I go down the AT with a pair of panties and a sports bra hanging off my pack. Thank goodness I had the camera or else there would be pictures.

Just as soon as we got back on the trail to the north of the trailhead we saw the blue blazed trail leading to the water source.

Today we had another mountain forever etched into our mind … Ramrock Mountain. It was another good climb with superb views at the top. We took lots of pictures and video.


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/TRepsRZLcRQ&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/TRepsRZLcRQ&rel=0</a>


At Woody Gap we were greeted by a 2007 thru hiker named Aquaman. He was doing trail magic and gave us both a cold Gatorade. As April said, “It was the best Gatorade I’ve ever had!” We sat at one of the picnic tables and talked for a while and then Aquaman returned to greet other hikers as they entered the gap. After a short rest we crossed highway 60 and found a two seater privy on the north side. Very nice. I took a seat outside on a big rock and April utilized the privy.

While sitting and waiting on April, along came Bob from Boston. Bob sat down beside me and we began to talk about the AT and equipment as he downed his Gatorade. Once again I was very impressed with his AT knowledge and also his equipment knowledge. This man is a wealth of information, not to mention a very nice and pleasant person.

After talking with Bob from Boston a while, April and I headed north only to be greeted with another mountain forever etched into our memory … Big Cedar Mountain. We climbed nearly 600 ft. in less than one mile. There were some killer switchbacks, too. However, all was worthwhile once we reached the summit because the views were the best thus far. Don’t know how well the camera picked up the views, but with the naked eye it was awesome. In fact, for the first time we had views to the east and west. Some of the views reminded us of Bald Rock on Cheaha Mountain. I remembered looking at this area on a topo map and noticing what seemed to be cliffs on the eastern side of the ridge. I was correct.

We continued north at a faster pace with the intent of stopping at Lance Creek for the night. However, when we arrived at Lance Creek we were not impressed with the campsite and opted to load up with plenty of water and head further north.

At Henry Gap there was a piece of paper folded and pinned to a tree. When I opened it there was a print out of the 10 day forecast and a note inviting hikers to what I assumed was a camp ground to the west. About 10 yards further north on the trail there were two bottles of water placed in the hallow of a tree next to the trail. Trail magic for the second time in one day. However, we left the water for others who may not have had enough at this point on the trail.

I think we went about a mile further. Best we could tell we were near Burnett Field Mountain. There we found a campsite on the west side that was flat and seemed perfect for camping for the night.

After pitching our tent we decided to video me cooking supper. Our family and friends ask many questions and some things are better seen than described. They ask us how the trail looks – so we have videoed the trail. I think we’ve actually videoed everything out here. Also, eating and cooking are another aspect of hiking that April wanted to show her students when they studied the Appalachian Mountains. I actually had 10 homemade dehydrated meals in my pack when we started in case we decided to stay out for five days. By dehydrating the meals at home and rehydrating them in the woods we had saved nearly one pound per meal. When I weighed them at home before dehydrating they were approximately 20 ounces each. After dehydrating they were less than 5 ounces each in weight. That means we knocked out around 10 pounds of weigh simply by dehydrating our food and rehydrating in the woods. Tonight we had beef stew and it was good.


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/HeAHqoIfPXw&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/HeAHqoIfPXw&rel=0</a>


While looking for a tree in which to hang our food I noticed we were not only in a poison oak infested part of the woods, but we were within about 30 yards of the forest border.

I noticed more of a burning sensation in my left foot today in the same area I suspected a blister. I was carrying an extra two liters of water the last few hours as we did not know where we would camp past Lance Creek and if there would be water. The extra weight must have aggravated the blister. When I removed the duct tape and bandage it was more than evident that I had developed a blister on the pad of my foot – in the center. The last few miles had become very uncomfortable and now I knew why. Our initial plan was to go as far a Unicoi Gap. However, the blister has me concerned. After talking with April we decide to only go as far as Neels Gap. April calls the Hiker Hostel and Leigh tells us to call her from the top of Blood Mountain tomorrow and she will leave the hostel and meet us at Neels Gap.

As we did the night before, tonight we wipe down with two baby wipes each. Not a necessity, but something we take along with something clean to sleep in. Although you are not actually clean, you are cleaner than you were before using the baby wipe. It makes April happy, which in turn makes everyone in the tent happy.

[dogwood]

Buck, still love your posts!  As i said before - awsome narration!  I believe that Firedog told me that you guys are from the Oxford area - am i correct?  If so, would love to backpack on the Pinhoti with you, some time!

[buck]

DAY 4 (Saturday, April 13, 2010)

What a night!!!! We had just turned off our headlamps and were about to go to sleep when all of the sudden there was the loudest scream I’ve ever heard in the woods. Talk about scaring two people to death! I by no means have the words to describe the sound, only to tell you that it sounded just like a distress call a black bear cub makes. I’ve heard a bobcat scream, but this was much, much different and more like a bear cub. And it sounded like it was only yards away from our tent. What I did not tell April until the morning was that there was bear scat all in the area where we were camping.

After the above incident we laid down and went to sleep. However, we soon realized civilization was not too far away for we could hear dogs barking in the distance, and some sort of hound trailed the animal we had heard earlier in the night – howling all the way. At another point in the night coyotes woke me up. Numerous times April woke me up with her heavy breathing. I was missing the sound of Justice Creek.

So before the morning I would hear what we think was a bear, then a hound, coyotes, cows, April snoring, owls hooting back and forth, and a turkey flew over and landed east of our tent just at day break. All the above was happening in a 20 degree sleeping bag in, at its lowest point, 55 degree weather. It was hot, loud, and the ground was hard. Other than the above, it was a place to camp and we got enough sleep.

I got up at first light and walked around the area admiring the scenery, sounds, and just standing and looking at the trail while April continued to sleep. I made some coffee and walked over to the property line and noticed a well-worn horse trail and then noticed a farm in the distance. But in walking through the woods I once again was reminded of the blister on my foot. I sat on a log and took another good look and once again realized I was about to be in a mess. I also realized it was good that we had decided to get off the trail at Neels Gap which we believed to be between 5 and 6 miles away. I grabbed the bandages and duct tape and went to work on the blistered foot.

At 7:00 AM three hikers come by our camp, one a thru hiker we had met earlier.

When April woke up we fixed coffee, ate breakfast, and then put on the shirt, underwear, and socks I had rinsed in a stream the day before. We were more than satisfied with what a little rinsing in water had done for the clothing. After we had packed everything away, we took a look at our guide. We thought we may have gotten our first glimpse at Blood Mountain the day before, but were uncertain. One thing for sure is that whatever mountain we were looking at was by far much higher than those we had climbed thus far. Though Blood Mountain is over 4,461 ft. high, Leigh from the Hiker Hostel told April over the phone the night before that the climb would not be as bad as it looked when coming from the south side. She said Sassafras Mountain was tougher. We’ll see ….

We begin heading north and not too far up the trail we begin to see Blood Mountain in the distance. Wow, what a site when compared to the surrounding mountains. We had been hiking less than an hour when we came upon Jarrard Gap. This gave us an idea of where we had slept the night before – probably about .5 miles south of Burnett Field Mountain. It also gave me an opportunity to recalibrate the altimeter on my watch. I knew it was off but had not been able to truly identify my location and altitude the afternoon of the day before. Now that we are standing by a sign that says, "Jarrard Gap,” and since the guide says 3250 ft., I’m calibrating the altimeter. Nothing like knowing where you are and with an altimeter all you need is the elevation chart.

Somewhere before Jarrard Gap April gave me a trail name: “Squeaky Shoe.” The insole of my right shoe began to rub against the side of the shoe and it made a squeaking sound each time. I thanked her, but declined the offer of a new name.

At Jarrard Gap there was a road bed to the west. The gap was a large campground, but there was a sign banning camp fires. However, there were several fire rings. We also saw what looked to be trail magic – someone had left a large white contractor size trash bag by the trail for hikers to unload trash. Since we were getting off at Neels Gap we held on to our trash and headed north.

Turkey Stamp Mountain was a pretty good climb, but I think the views of Blood Mountain kept our thoughts turned away from the burning in our legs and, for me, the raw burning feeling of a blister on the pad of my foot. As we descended down Turkey Stamp mountain we met a group of over a dozen older folks being guided by a younger hiker about our age. April and I stopped and stepped to the side to allow them through. However, the leader of the group held up his arm, stopped the entire group, motioned them to the side, and asked us to come on through. As I passed the leader and thanked him, he asked, “Are you thru hikers?” I laughed, pointed at Blood Mountain, and answered, “I’ll be through when I get over that mountain.” A little further down the trail we met three older ladies on the trail who offered us a piece of chocolate.

When we arrived at the side trail to the Woods Hole Shelter we dropped our packs and took a break. The blister was screaming at me and I took time to re-tape and pad my foot for the climb up Blood Mountain. We also needed water so I took the side trail toward the shelter – the water source was half way to the shelter. We had visited each shelter along the trail, but this one was a half mile off the AT so we declined. The water source was nothing to write home about, but it was a steady trickle out of the side of the mountain. April also videoed how we carry our water so she could show her students back at school. Just another one of those questions kids and adults ask.

Before leaving April told me that a hiker couple came by while I was filtering water. The man had a pack, but the woman only had trekking poles. They stopped and talked with April and told her they did not camp in the woods. Instead, they would hike to the next pick up point, call a shuttle, and head back to the nearest hotel for the night. The next morning they would shuttle back to where they had stopped and do it all over again. They planned to do this all the way to Fontana. Also, just as we were packing up a hiker came up from the shelter. He had that tired and disgusted look on his face which we reasoned was the product of what he had on his back. This hiker had a huge external frame pack and what looked like a large folding chair strapped to the outside. April thought it was a large solar panel. Either way, he had some weight.

From the shelter side trail you immediately begin climbing up Blood Mountain. Once again some of the rock work that had been done was not only amazing, but beautiful. We tried to capture some of the rock steps on video. Soon we caught up with and passed the hiker we saw earlier on the shelter approach trail.


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iujn7LU4Q7U&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Iujn7LU4Q7U&rel=0</a>


Less than a quarter of a mile from the top of Blood Mountain we came upon two older males with daypacks. One was as southern as April and I, but the other had a foreign accent. We spoke for a minute, caught our breath, and moved on toward the top.

As we began to reach the top of Blood Mountain we would stop and step to the edges of the ridge and look … and look … and look. Beautiful. What else can you say. Finally we reached the top and we dropped our packs and prepared to spend some time taking in the views.

As we looked off the north side of Blood Mountain, the two older men walked up behind us. The one who was southern began telling us all about the valley below – the valley where he was raised as a kid. It was one story after another, including one story about a local man he knew that had helped to build the shelter as a laborer in the CCC program. He took us to the south side of “Blood,” as he would call it, and began to point out which mountain was which, where the trail ran, and he actually knew where we camped and, of all things, his relatives owned the farm I spotted near our camp. He even showed where, on the clearest of days, you could see an outline of Atlanta in the distance. The other man with the accent was from Germany, but had a son who lived in the valley north of “Blood.”

When I went inside the Blood Mountain Shelter, which was built by the CCC program during the Great Depression, I thought about my Great Granddaddy and the stories he told about working with the WPA program during the Great Depression. The things these guys were willing and able to do to provide for their families. Even better, the structures are still standing which is a testament to their skillfulness. While looking at the rock shelter I could only imagine what it was like for those who built it and the amount of history it represented.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/g8eEq_97fSk&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/g8eEq_97fSk&rel=0</a>


After spending probably 30 or more minutes just looking off the mountain, we called Leigh at the Hiker Hostel and told her we were about to begin our descent off “Blood” into Neels Gap. She said she would meet us there in one hour. Just as we began heading down, out of nowhere appeared Aquaman – the former thru hiker that was giving out Gatorade at Woody Gap the day before. He was at Neels Gap continuing his trail magic and decided to climb “Blood.”

Leigh from the Hiker Hostel was correct – the trail leading up Blood Mountain from the south was much easier than the trail coming off the north side of Blood. It was rocky, steep, and in places, wet and slick. To say that the blister on the pad of my left foot was screaming and burning on the descent would be an understatement. It only reassured me of our decision to get off the trail at Neels Gap. Nevertheless, we made very good time coming off the mountain and into Neels Gap.

When we arrived at Neels Gap Leigh was waiting for us inside and, to our surprise, the hikers we had dropped off at Woody Gap three days earlier. This is the group of hikers from Florida with the huge packs. We could not believe that we caught up with them.

Once inside the first thing April said was, “I want a diet Coke and a bag of greasy potato chips!” We got a drink, Leigh took our picture in front of the AT emblem, and we headed back to Dahlonega to our car.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/cHu4RBOKYhg&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/cHu4RBOKYhg&rel=0</a>

On our journey back another hiker from Italy was heading back to the hostel to spend the night. Leigh asked us all about our hike and if we had met any thru hikers along the way. We mentioned a few, and then I told her about “Bob from Boston” and about the depth of our conversations. Leigh laughed, and said, “I know Bob. That’s Bob McCaw … he’s the publisher of the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker’s Guide. His trail name is 501.” April and I looked at each other and busted out laughing. No wonder he was so knowledgeable. We were even more glad that we had taken the opportunity to talk with him at such length along the trail.

On the way back to the hostel I asked April what she enjoyed most about our hike. Her answer? “The people we met.” I told her I could not agree more. We met people out day hiking, section hiking, going to Fontana, going only to Virginia, some from the south, some from the north, some from other countries, and the publisher of a AT guide. And, believe it or not, we met several ex-military men who knew our hometown because they once were stationed at Fort McClellan prior to its closing – Aquaman was stationed there at one time. I can’t say that I would have been so open to conversing if I had met these same people on the street corner, but there is just something about meeting folks out in the middle of nowhere … hiking.

When we get to the hostel we load our packs in the car and head to town to eat. After eating we head to Helen where April’s parents will meet us the next day with our children. Both of us are anxious to download the videos and pictures of our hike. Even more, we can’t wait to talk about it with friends and family. It was everything and more than what we expected.

[buck]

Here's about a dozen or so SPOT Messenger locations showing where we were when we sent a message back home to family so they could follow us on Google Earth. If you view these locations on Google Earth you can actually see the shelters in a couple of places, not to mention the trail as it cuts through the forest.

Location Messages using SPOT

[Uncle Wayne]

Really enjoyed your journal entries and videos.   Great job on both and thanks for sharing.  That brought back many memories of our trek from Springer to Neel's Gap.   In ten years these notes will be priceless to you and April.

I agree with you about Sassafras and Blood Mtn. We were really dreading Blood after Sassafras was so tough but in our hike there was really no comparison; Sassafras was much tougher.

Hows the blistered foot doing?

[buck]

Buck, still love your posts!  As i said before - awsome narration!  I believe that Firedog told me that you guys are from the Oxford area - am i correct?  If so, would love to backpack on the Pinhoti with you, some time!

Thank you, Dogwood. Yes, we are from Oxford - lived here all my life. As for hiking on the Pinhoti, I think my wife has AT fever at the moment so I am riding this for all I can while I can.

If all goes as planned, our next Pinhoti hike will take us across the state line into Georgia. We're looking forward to this accomplishment, too.

[buck]

Really enjoyed your journal entries and videos.   Great job on both and thanks for sharing.  That brought back many memories of our trek from Springer to Neel's Gap.   In ten years these notes will be priceless to you and April.

I agree with you about Sassafras and Blood Mtn. We were really dreading Blood after Sassafras was so tough but in our hike there was really no comparison; Sassafras was much tougher.

Hows the blistered foot doing?

Uncle Wayne ... You prepared us for everything .... except Sassafras. After climbing out of Hightower Gap, then Sassafras, and Justice, I understood why you kept it a secret.  I did not mention this in the journal, but "Bob from Boston" (Bob McCaw, aka 501) and I talked about that stretch of mountains. He noted that in Winton Porter's book about the Mountain Crossings store, "Just Passin Thru," he specifically mentions that particular stretch on the AT and the comments made about Sassafras Mountain by hikers through the years.

The blister is fine today. The morning after getting off the trail I got out of bed and realized how good of a decision it was to end at Neels Gap. Coming off Blood Mountain the day before really sealed the deal and made a bearable blister almost unbearable. If the blister had not been on the pad of my foot I may have hiked another day or two without April (she was ready for a break after 3 days). But because it was on the pad of my foot I had become somewhat miserable going downhill. I am almost certain the blister was initiated by the new socks I was wearing. I had never worn socks with the extra padding in the heel and pad areas, but I wore them on this hike and I basically concluded that they became wadded up in the area where the blister formed.

[buck]

I've said this several times before, but I'll say it again - Thanks to everyone for sharing info on this site. Reading your posts and speaking with you through email really made our first AT hike very enjoyable. We were comfortable, prepared, lacking nothing of necessity, and therefore able to walk and enjoy ourself and one another. We saw many hikers who just flat out looked miserable - they looked like we did on some of our first hikes. We knew they were not having fun, but also knew that if they stuck with it they would figure out how to do things better next time.

"Uncle Wayne" gave us many tips indirectly (we read his journals on this site) and directly by answering my questions through email. One of the best things he suggested was that we keep a detailed journal of our trip and return home and create a memory book. I've always kept a sketchy journal and taken pictures, but not as detailed as he suggested. We took his advice and not only kept a very detailed journal, but we took pictures and video, returned home, and put everything on a DVD. We have a Kodak video camera that weighs only 6 ounces with lithium batteries that we took on this hike and we called it one our best pieces of equipment - especially after getting home and realizing just how many memories had been recorded.

We've had more fun showing family and friends our trip and being able to give interesting details that are only remembered because of journal notes. And putting a condensed version on youtube has allowed us to share with family and friends far away. Also, there are just some things out there on the trail that cannot be properly described in words, but a picture or video can really bring things home. Our family and friends are so intrigued by hiking and when they watch the videos they are somewhat amazed. When April and I watch the videos we just sit and smile.

We have always carried a SPOT messenger on our hikes. I had purchased the SPOT when our children began hunting with me. In the beginning they were just too young and small to walk out of the woods on their own should something have happen to me, so I carried SPOT with me and taught them how to use the 911 feature if "daddy would not wake up." Since those days we've enjoyed not only returning and looking at our tracks, but hearing our kids talk about keeping up with our progress on google earth. This time around my mom and dad watched our progress online as we sent messages back with SPOT and I think my dad enjoyed it more than the kids. It has been well worth the money for us and the SPOT II is so much lighter and the reception much, much better - as good as my Garmin GPS.

I did not mention in the journal that April complained about her backpack at times. We knew it had never been a perfect fit, but she had always liked it and been against changing. I told her we were going to let someone at Mountain Crossings (Neels Gap) size her up to see what the problem was. Well, they measured her torso and tried a few packs, but when they put the one made by Granite Gear on her back I thought she was going to melt. It fit like a glove with more weight inside than she actually carries on the trail. The price was around $200. When we got home I found one for $80 less and bought it (it was their last one). So April is chomping at the bit to return to the trail and try out her new pack.

Speaking of returning - we're headed back to the Appalachian Trail Memorial Day weekend for another multi-day hike. We have already made arrangements with the Hiker Hostel for another shuttle. Speaking of which, we only have great things to say about Josh and Leigh at the Hiker Hostel. They were very nice, helpful, accommodating for all, and enjoyable to talk with. I would highly recommend their service.

Thank you again for the information made available on this site and for giving us a place to post and relive our own experiences. Every piece of advice we took from your posts only worked to make our experience more enjoyable and memorable.

[buck]

... we're headed back to the Appalachian Trail Memorial Day weekend for another multi-day hike...

We headed over Friday afternoon after work excited about our second trip on the AT - although the forecast called for a 50% chance of rain. However, on Saturday morning the forecast was updated to include the strong possibility for hail, strong winds, rain, lightening, etc., which might have involved more than just being wet. So we opted to just spend the day riding through the mountains of northern Georgia and ended up eating lunch at the NOC and riding up to Fontana Dam. Lots of riding, but the scenery was well worth it, not to mention being able to collect information for possible future hikes in the area.

[Uncle Wayne]

We headed over Friday afternoon after work excited about our second trip on the AT - although the forecast called for a 50% chance of rain. However, on Saturday morning the forecast was updated to include the strong possibility for hail, strong winds, rain, lightening, etc., which might have involved more than just being wet. So we opted to just spend the day riding through the mountains of northern Georgia and ended up eating lunch at the NOC and riding up to Fontana Dam. Lots of riding, but the scenery was well worth it, not to mention being able to collect information for possible future hikes in the area.

Yeah, that's beautiful country.  Jeff and Nancy at "The Hike Inn" you passed on your way to Fontana will treat you right if you ever need help in that section of the country.  They provide shuttles and a place to park if you stay with them prior to or after your hike. Very nice people with an very interesting collection of Native American artifacts.