March 31 (Day 14) - Beech Gap to Long Branch Shelter

This morning, we mulled around, talking and cooking a hot breakfast.  Over coffee, we formulated a trail name for Jay, and he is now known as El Gato.  El Gato and Packrat left early, yet again, while Hammy and I tarried until about 12:00 PM. 

Today's hike took us to the summit of Albert Mountain, which marked 100 miles of the A.T. and 108.8 miles for those of us that hiked the approach trail.  Though the mountain was shrouded in fog, it was peaceful and a great place to sit and meditate, waiting for Hammy and Packrat to catch up.

Several miles down the opposite side of Albert Mountain, we made camp at Long Branch Shelter.  We opted to stay inside the shelter, itself, so we wouldn't have tents to break down in the morning.
 

We're looking forward to an early hike into Franklin.

March 30 (Day 13) - Muskrat Creek Shelter to Beech Gap

It was a bit of a late start, this morning; Hammy wanted to sleep, and I spent the time fetching water, cooking breakfast, and organizing gear.  Jay and Packrat departed much earlier, but Hammy and I didn't break camp until 1:30 PM.

We were rather slow in hiking, enjoying the sights.  At Deep Gap, we encountered some trail magic, an annual Easter on the AT feast.  The organizer, Tarheel, repeatedly requested we spend the night in Deep Gap and attend breakfast in the morning.  Unfortunately, Jay had moved on to Beech Gap, and we had plans to meet him.  After some fire-roasted hotdogs and soda, we bid Tarheel farewell and pressed on toward Beech Gap.

Jay was waiting for us at the gap and had already made camp.  Hammy, Packrat, and I arrived with another hiker, Danny.  We erected our tents and sat around the blazing campfire, eating our dinners.  Shortly thereafter, it began to rain, so we hoisted our bear bags and retired for the night.

March 29 (Day 12) - Dick's Creek to Muskrat Creek Shelter

Today, we crossed our first state line!  Goodbye, Georgia; hello, North Carolina!

March 28 (Day 11) - Addis Gap to Dick's Creek

It was a short hike from Addis Gap to Dick's Creek, this morning.  Though, the muddy trail was slow going.  At one point, I attempted to do some trail running.  Bad idea...a slight misstep and I went tumbling and sliding along the trail.

At Dick's Creek, we caught a ride into Hiawassee.  We picked up mail drops at the Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel and spent the night at the Budget Inn.

March 27 (Day 10) - Unicoi Gap to Addis Gap

After a delicious breakfast, for which Holiday Inn is always good, we endeavored to find transport back to Unicoi Gap.  The first shuttle that we called actually arrived without sufficient room for Jay, Hammy, Packrat, and me.  Needless to say, we had a late start at Unicoi Gap.

The ascent from Unicoi Gap to the summit of Trey Mountain was rather strenuous.  On the summit, we encountered a woman by the name of Dorothea, who offered us orange slices and a bit of conversation.

We made camp for the night at Addis Gap, a bit less than six miles from Dick's Creek.

March 26 (Day 9) - Zero Day in Hiawassee, GA

March 25 (Day 8) - Hog Pen Gap to Unicoi Gap

It was a bitter cold trek from Hog Pen Gap to Unicoi Gap; the temperature was well below freezing, and all of our hydration lines froze.

Upon reaching Unicoi Gap, we witnessed our first example of trail magic; a trail angel placed gallons of water and bottles of Gatorade along the trail.

March 24 (Day 7) - Zero in Helen, GA

Apparently, we all imbibed a bit too much alcohol, and given the frigid temperatures, staying another night in Helen seemed too attractive to pass up.

March 23 (Day 6) - Neel Gap to Hog Pen Gap

Today, we set out from the Blood Mountain Cabins and, after a brief stop at Mountain Crossings, journeyed to Hog Pen Gap.  At Hog Pen Gap, we hitchhiked into Helen, GA, a quaint Bavarian-style tourist town.  It was a welcome respite from the cold temperatures.  Hot showers, a good meal, and warm beds.

Brandon's wife, Simone met us in Helen, and we secured two rooms at the Quality Inn.  After showering and conversing over wine, we headed to the Hayloft for dinner and dancing.  I may have imbibed quite a bit and cut loose on the dance floor.  *smirk*

March 22 (Day 5) - Lance Creek to Neel Gap

I set out with a quick step, this morning.  It was rumored that there was limited lodging at Neel Gap, and I wanted to be certain that Wrong Way and I had a place to sleep.  Ironically, even though I was one of the first to arrive at Mountain Crossing, the outfitter at Neel Gap, everyone passed and went directly to the cabins.  Even Wrong Way went directly to the cabins, and I was left waiting.

Fortunately, the other hikers sent for me and had space in one of the cabins.  I stayed the night in the Wild Boar Cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins, where I also met Jessica and Jay.  Wrong Way, Jessica, Jay, and I had a fabulous time, talking, dancing, and simply acting silly.

I would like to thank Brandon Stone (aka Underpants) for organizing the lodging and, though it may have been unintentional, putting the four of us together.

During the course of the night, Jessica earned the trail name of Hammy, and I was dubbed Storytime.
     

March 21 (Day 4) - Gooch to Lance Creek

Another hiker, Olivia aka Wrong Way, and I hitched a ride to the Wolf Den Gap hostel/store, during our hike.  We gorged ourselves on pizza and bought marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers for the other hikers at Lance Creek.

We set up camp at Lance Creek, just outside of the area requiring the use of bear canisters.  The smores were popular around the campfire, and some hikers made their first smores...ever.

March 20 (Day 3) - Hawk to Gooch Shelter

It was absolutely frigid, today, and I found myself preoccupied with the task of staying warm.  I broke camp and immediately began hiking to warm myself, neglecting breakfast and brushing my teeth.

On the first summit, I found a suitable place to dig my first cat hole, which was not an altogether pleasant experience in such cold conditions.  Though, I tend to prefer it to using odorous privies.

March 19 (Day 2) - Springer to Hawk Shelter

The second day was much better.  The sun came out; the temperature rose a bit, as did my spirits.  I figure that it can't get much worse than that first night.

A number of hikers have commented to me upon how beautiful the mountains appear.   Honestly, they're just mountains.  Perhaps, I'm just spoiled from living in the Northeast; it doesn't get much more beautiful than the autumnal colours in New York's countryside.

March 18 (Day 1) - The Approach Trail

While camping in Boy Scouts, we would send the new scouts around to other campsites, looking for a left-handed smoke-shifter, a glass hammer, a sky hook, or any other imaginary item that we could devise.  The hazing was all in good fun, though.

I feel as if I've fallen victim to hazing, now, and there was nothing fun about it.  I was told that the approach trail shouldn't be missed, that it is part of the A.T. experience.  The approach is less of a hiking trail and more of strapping 50 lbs to your back and getting on a stairmaster.

I'd like to say that my day got better, but as I was setting up camp on Springer Mountain, there was a freak storm.  Pelted with hail and sleet, my tent was knocked over, and I was drenched.  I packed quickly, as I didn't want to become a lightning rod with my tent poles and trekking poles, and I ran to a nearby shelter.
I spent the night in the shelter, shivering in my sleeping bag on a hard wooden floor.  To be honest, I was terribly homesick, and my first thought at daybreak was to find a hotel.

The journey begins....

Arrival in Amicalola Falls State Park

Yes, that is the view from my room at the lodge.  We finally arrived and decided to spend the night in the park, itself.

I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow.  My pack is insanely overweight, and I've already begun to miss everyone at home.  I don't think that I yet fully grasp what I'm doing, here.  It's not merely a hike as much as it is a six month long lifestyle change.

All my bags are packed....

I'm fully packed and ready to make my way to Georgia.  I'd like to say that I finished packing last night.  I got a full night's rest and hit the gym, early this morning.

That was the plan, but it didn't quite work out that way.  I may have imbibed a few too many libations, gotten a few restless hours of sleep, and spent the morning in a frenzy of packing.

Let's pretend the former is true.  Oh, my head hurts....

Biding My Time

I'm at work, the last night for six months, and I decided to finally finish my whistle lanyard.  The lanyard, itself, is woven in a four-strand round braid, using 550 mil-spec paracord, black with glow-in-the-dark tracer.  A crown knot attaches the miniature carabiner, and it's finished off with a snake knot weave.  The skull bead, as well as the paracord, is from Gorilla Paracord, and the whistle is a Fox 40 Sharx pealess whistle (4 resonating chambers, 120 dB).

My Nephew, the Gear Tester

This is more of a test post, but I wanted to show off my awesome assistant.  He enjoys rummaging through my gear, asking about every item.  And, he particularly likes to run around the house with my flashlight and headlamp.

Here, he is testing my trekking poles.