Journals Continued
Page 2..........
December 2000: - Pre-trip Activities:
Planning:
I have been studying this trail for years. I've read several books on thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and have followed the journals of previous hikers. I have elected to forgo specific state maps in leiu of Wingfoots trail guide. I have purchased most of the equipment that will be required. I'll be starting in early February, which will require cold weather (snow) gear. As spring and summer progress, I'll send my cold weather stuff home, and as I approach the northern states and the fall season, my wife will send the cold weather gear back to me. We set up a work area in a storage room in our house, that includes shelving for equipment, food, boxes, and a work bench with scales for weighing and packaging. This trip requires a certain amount of pre-planning and organization but I'm limiting the specific details. I want this experience to be as spontaneous as possible, without compromising good sense.
In late March I expect to be somewhere in Southern Virginia, at which time, I'll leave the trail to spend time with my wife, daughter, and granddaughter in Texas. I'll be back on the trial in mid April. I expect to be at Mt. Katahdin sometime in September. All the specific schedules and travel details will have to be worked out at the time of need, given the unpredictable nature of a long distance walk. I have made plane reservation for travel to Atlanta, and I'm checking into the availability of a shuttle from Atlanta to Springer Mountain.
My Gear:
The key word is "Lightweight".. I'm trying hard to stay in the 30# range, but it's tough. The weight starts to creep up when I don't weigh each item. Things like vitamins, and tp, which is kind of important, slip my mind. I focus more on things like shelter, cloths, and food.. Food: The rule of thumb is 2#'s of food for each day. With the exception of travel through the Smokey Mountains, and the 100 mile wilderness in Maine, I will try and limit myself to 5 days of supplies. 5 days of food and fuel = 10#'s. That leaves a target of 29#'s for everthing else. I read about a lady that did her masters thesis on the physical effects of an individual carrying 40#'s for six months in the mountains. It was interesting, but what I found most interesting was the fact that the hiker could not keep up on the necessary calorie intake. She estimated the calorie needs at between 4,000 and 6,000 calories/day. I'm not sure I could eat that much. I sure as hell know I couldn't carry that much. I think you eat like a crazy starving person when you get to towns. Another percaution is continuing to eat big after the hikes over.. I'll list my equipment and manufactures, but this is a work in progress so things are subject to change.
What I Wear:
Nylon hiking pants (legs zip off) REI (13.5oz)::: Fleece top; Patagonia (11oz)::: T-shirt; Northface (8.5oz)::: Jacket; Northface Middle Triple Jacket (20oz)::: Stocking hat; Wigwam/Merino wool (2oz)::: Leg Gaiters; OR Low (4.5oz)::: Gloves; Gortex with liners (4.75)::: Socks and Liners; Smartwool hiking (5.5oz)::: Boots; Vasque Sundowner MX2 (59oz)::::: Watch: Suunto Vector ( time/temp/alt/compass) (1oz):::
Packed Clothing:
Long underware; Pantagonia (12.5oz)::::: Fleece Vest; Northface (6.5oz)::: Shorts; Underware (1-pair) (4oz)::: Rain pants; Marmot - Light Speed (19oz):::: :Socks/liners (2 pairs) (11oz)
General Equipment:
Backpack/rain cover/water pouch/garbage bag; Gregory Makalu Pro. Top loader (94oz)::::: Tent/fly/poles/stakes/ground sheet/stuff sack; Northface Cayonlands (70oz):::: Down Sleeping bag/silk liner/stuff sack; Feather friends; gortex/20 degree (40oz):::::::: Sleeping pad; Therm-a-rest GuideLite (19oz):::: Leki hiking poles (22oz)::: Stove: Snow peak giga power (3.5oz)::: 1- Fuel Canisters (12oz)::: Cooking pot and cup; Evernew nonstick titanium; Pot =0.9L (5oz) cup=0.31L (1.5oz):::: 2-32oz. Water Bottles; Nalgene (76oz w/water)::: Water Filter; Katadyn mini . (10oz):::: 2-Plastic spoon (1oz)::: Headlamp; Petzl (6oz)::::: Radio; Sony (6oz):::: First aid kit (9oz)::: Bear ropes (3oz):: Knife; Swiss army (3oz):::: Wash kit (19oz)::: Toilet paper/trowel/stuff sack (10.5oz):::: Compass/whistle (1oz)::: Ear plugs (2oz):: Journal; paper/2pens/calculator (8.5oz)::: Small sponge (1oz):: Sun glasses (2.5oz)::: Reading Glasses; (1-pair) (2.5oz)::: Lighter (1oz)::: Guide Book (8oz)::: Blister Kit (3.5oz)::: Vitamins (5oz)::: Baseball Cap; Gortex (2oz)::::::: Camera; Canon Elph Sport (10oz) Crampons; CMI 4 point instep (12oz):::::::::
Equipment Decision Process:
It took me a long time to decide on specific pieces of equipment that I would want for this trip. A few years ago I was planning a two week walk on the Superior Hiking Trail, which follows the North Shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors, Minnesota to Canada. I researched boots for that trip and settled on a pair Vasque Sundowners. I wear them a lot, they are truly a great boot. Italian I think. My Sundowners are still in good shape but would require resoling if I were to wear them on the Appalachian. I was afraid that resoling would not be as strong as the original and they might start coming apart. This trail is hard on boots. I really didn't want to pay for, or break in, another pair of boots but that was the only realstic option. Using the internet, which is an incrediable research tool, I studied several boot makers and settled on another pair of Vasques. This time I saw a new boot that Vasque was introducing. It's call the Sundowner MX2. It's a little more rugged and weighs 6 ounces more, but I like the look so I called Midwest Mountaineering. This retailer is the premier boot supplier and fitter in Minnesota and they hadn't heard of the MX2. I called REI, no deal. I ended up contacting Vasque directly, and through Midwest Mountaineering, ordered a pair. I expect they might be the only pair in Minnesota. I played hell breaking them in, but with help from the retailer and their stretching equipment, I have heavy duty, great fitting boots.
In September 1963, during the course of an induction physical, a Navy Doctor while examining my feet, asked me to standup and walk around. After a short time he told me I had problem feet then promptly approved my active duty status in the Marine Corps Infantry. Last Fall, after thirty years of rubbing my feet, my wife strongly suggested I see a Podiatrist. I did, and now am the proud owner of custom made, prescription, orthopedic inserts. Man, the quality of my life took a hugh jump. In addition to seeing a Podiatrist, I got my Lyme Disease vacinations. The vacination process requires three shots over one year.
I worked through a few issues in deciding on a sleeping bag. The Appalachian trail is considered to be a wet hike and can get cold. Synthetic bags offer a degree of warmth even when wet, no doubt the recommended type. Down bags offer no warm refuge when wet, but I perfer them. They weigh less and are more compactable for the same amount of warmth. I saw an advertisement for a Seattle company, Feathered Friends, that manufactured special order down gear for serious mountain climbers. I netted out ordering a custom manufactured 800+ down bag made from a waterproof, breathable product called PTFE-Lite. Poly-tetra-flouro-ethelyne is the original Gortex flim. (" 800+ down means that each ounce of down equals 800 cubic inches. It's a volumetric comparison to an ounce.The more cubic inches of down there is per ounce,(loft )the better the warmth factor") The point is, it's a quality sleeping bag and hopefully I can keep it dry.
My backpack was pretty easy. I chose the lighest, largest pack available. It's manfactured by Gregory, a world class pack maker. My tent was also a no brainer.. I wanted to stay under 4#'s yet be able to sit up and have room for my pack. That turned out to be a Northface Canyonlands. It's a one person tent but would hold two very good friends.
Maildrops: (My dates of arrival have yet to be determined. I can estimate the first two and Midge can enter the remaining dates later.
Address to: Tim Bubany
c/o General Delivery
Town, State, Zip Code
Write in the lower left corner of the box or letter:
"Please Hold For AT Hiker"
Expected arrival date:___
February 16.... Fontana Dam NC 28733
March 13....Damascus VA 24236
______....Pearisberg VA 24134
_______....Waynesboro VA 22980
______....Harpers Ferry WV 25425
______....Delaware Water Gap PA 18327
______....Kent CT 06757
______....Cheshire MA 01225
______....Gorham NH 03581
______....Monson ME 04464
Journal Updates
Midge will be updating the daily journals as she receives them. Through the years I have enjoyed reading the journals of hikers and bikers adventures, and I hope you enjoy mine.
February 2,2001: I've gone to the mountains:
At 7:10 AM tomorrow morning my Applachian Adventure begins. I'll fly to Atlanta, (scheduled to get in about 11:00 AM) take the MARTA, (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), to the North Springs stop, where I'll meet my shuttle. If the weather is cooperative, I'll be shuttled to a place called Stamp Gap "USFS Road 42". In Georgia, it's pronounced "Stomp Gap", like "I'm going to stomp on your head." I would pronouce it like "a stamp on a letter", and I'd be wrong.
(Note: The 7:10 AM flight to Atlanta has been my typical Monday morning commute for years. I bet I made this trip at least a hundred times. But this time is different, no rental car, motel, week long meetings, culminating with a mad dash to the airport on Friday afternoon. As fate would have it, my Northwest gold card expires on February 28th.)
The USFS Road 42 parking lot is about one mile north of the summit of Springer Mountain. On arrival, I'll walk one mile south, to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which is identified with a bronze plaque. I'll sign the trail register as a thru-hiker, take the obligatory photo, and start walking north. If we can't get to the summit, due to impassable roads, I'll be dropped off at the visitor center for Amicalola Falls State Park, I will hike an eight-mile approach trail up Springer. So I would probably stay in the park the first night, and walk up Springer Mountain the following morning. The current weather report is predicting rain on Sunday and Monday, which hopefully, translates to snow in the mountains.
Several months ago, I was talking with a fellow about travel that he and his wife wanted to do when they retired. He said that his wife wanted to buy a motor home and see the country, He, on the other hand wanted to fly. He didn't see the value in the travel. It's and interesting point that can be applied to my trip. I believe the value of my trip is going to be realized in day-to-day experiences. Mt. Katahdyn is the destination and if I focused on that single objective, I fear I may miss the real treasure.
William Least Heat-Moon, in his book "Blue Highways" wrote about his journey into America. He talked about "thoughts that came in the night as being slightly askew, free of sense and restriction." This trip might have been a night thought, and now, in the light of day may appear a little askew. He wrote about "chucking rountine and living in the jeopardy of circumstance." He said it was a question of dignity. I agree
On a personal note:
I couldn't do this hike by myself and wouldn't want to. This adventure is a family affair. I know that my wife and children are excited for me, and have given me their approval to take this walk. Without their support I wouldn't go...So tomorrow, with a lot of excitement, a little anxiety, sadness, and guilt, I'll start our adventure. I hope my journals will convey the feel of the Appalachian Trail, and provide some insight into thru-hiking.
One last thought:
Talk is cheap...so far that's all I've done. Tomorrow, I hope to start changing that. Oh! By the way, I hear that the success rate for thru-hikers completing the 2160 miles in one season is between 10% and 15%. Encouraging, huh??
Feb. 3, 2001 4:30 PM
Springer Mountain Shelter: "Just an Echo" (a man about my age) is with me in the shelter. What a day! the flight was on time and my bag came out surprisingly fast. The MARTA was great. I got to North Springs stop where I was to catch my shuttle and sat there for over and hour waiting. No Joyce. I called home and asked if Joyce had emailed my wife back, and yes she had. It turned out Joyce and I were looking at each other for that hour - she didn't see my pack and was looking for a "younger man". Get this, Joyce is 73! She is a great woman. She lives way back in the woods where she owns a women's campground called "Swiftwaters". I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Joyce. We went to her house and got water and her 4-wheel-drive van and up the mountain we went. Joyce, with one hand of the wheel, pointed out the plant life. Pearl, her small white "needed a bath" poodle sat on my arm the whole trip. When we'd hit a bump, Pearl would fly into the air and land on my lap and then crawl back up on my arm. I'll have to tell you about Joyce's all female construction crew in another sitting - It is cold, man!
Do-Wa-Diddy
Feb. 4, 2001 7.5 miles 2:30PM
Hawk Mountain Shelter
I'm here alone but expect "Just An Echo" along soon. It was a great day. Sunny and cool. 23 degrees this AM and now is about 40 - 50 degrees. I hiked with a woman and her two boys age 15 and 12. They are going to Maine. Last night at Springer Mountain shelter there ended up to be 8 of us. About midday, I caught up with the woman, her kids, and her husband. The woman and the boys are thru-walking and the dad had to go back. It was touching to see them say good-bye. I told the woman that until they could think of trail names, I was going to call them the Rockets 1-2-3. She said her husband had called her Mother Goose, so she was going to use that. The last trail register I read, her sons signed off as the Rockets! Tomorrow, I'll walk to Gooch Gap shelter. It's cold, I'm tired, but my God it's beautiful! It really was a beautiful day. The trail was acceptable- level-with just a few mountains to cross over! It's now 6:48 PM and I'm snug in my sleeping bag and tent. This is the first night tenting. It has to be warmer, softer, and quieter than a shelter. Tonight "Just and Echo" and I are sharing this area with "Arthur", Arthur is a trail name. Get this, Arthur walked 16 miles today, and expects to complete the entire trail by May. Oh, Just an Echo is in a book called "Ten Million Steps" by M.J. Eberhart. Trail name "Nimblewill Nomad", pages 232-233, I think. Just An Echo showed it to me. It's a hard cover book - I about fell over laughing when he pulled it out of his pack. I am starting to warm up. I know I've got one more pee yet to do, then it's sleep time!
Feb. 5, 2001 Gooch Gap Shelter 5:14 PM - 8.5 miles today- 16.1 total
It's really cold tonight. The trail from Hawk Mountain was what I expected from Georgia. It was a hard walk. It'll become easier as my conditioning improves. I'm here alone so far. It's a very small shelter on top of a very steep hill. I was going to tent but I'm really close to a road. I heard shots a while ago. I think it's hunting season - hope it's not for hikers. So far no real physical issues. Sore feet, etc. The 8.5 miles took me 6 hours. I stopped once to pump water, but other than that, I just kept walking. Steep ups and downs. My hands are getting too cold to write. Maybe more later. Heading for Woods Hole shelter tomorrow. It is 10.4 miles. Wednesday I go over Blood Mountain. Highest point on the AT in Georgia. Gotta get in my bag now.I've been in my bag warming up. I also put up a big tarp. It covers the entire front of the shelter. These shelters are three sided wall structures with an elevated wood floor. Shelters include a source for water and a biffy. Just an Echo told me about the time he was using the biffy at Springer Mountain. (understand the biffy has a partial enclosure of three sides) He was just sitting there doing his business when a helicopter came up and stopped. They just looked at each other - funny! I bet it was an Atlanta news chopper with a slow news day. It is supposed to start warming up a little- hope so!
Feb. 6, 2001
I didn't hear my alarm so I didn't get going until 8:00 AM. I made it to this shelter about 3:30 PM. It is a new shelter but the spring is pretty small. Today was much warmer but the ups and downs were the same. If I'm on the sunny side of the mountain, I sweat like crazy and on the shadow side I am freezing. It is hard to dress for those conditions. Last night I was alone in Gooch Gap Shelter and tonight I will probably be alone too. I haven't seen a person since Monday morning. Tomorrow, I'll walk over Blood Mountain. I am looking at it now and it is intimidating. I'll also resupply at Neel's Gap and maybe get a shower. Well, that brings us up to date. I'll mail these journals at Neel's Gap. Feet are sore tonight.
Feb. 7, 2001 Goose Creek Cabins 4.3 miles -total 30.8
This morning I left Woods Hole Shelter about 7:30 AM and arrived at Walasi -Yi Center at about 11:30 AM - crossed over Blood Mountain which is the highest point on the AT in Georgia. It wasn't really too bad. The weather today was great and the forecast is good for Thursday. Rain is predicted for Fri. through Mon. Tonight I am at the Goose Creek Cabins. I am clean, clothes are washed and I've resupplied for 4 to 5 more days. Tonight I'll try and pick a destination for tomorrow. Note: Monday morning was the last time I saw anyone prior to getting to Neel's Gap. It is wierd. The lodge is ordering pizza tonight, so I am one my way down.
Feb. 8, 2001Goose Creek Cabins 7:00 AM
Yes, my watch alarm just went off. For the last several days, I have set it but never heard it. I thought it was broken, but must have been the earplugs working. Right now I am finishing the pizza I ordered last night. I met two thru-hikers that are staying here until March 1st, at which time they will start north. Russ is bartering his stay here by doing odd jobs and Keith, the owner, has provided Russ with sweater and jeans. All Russ owns is hiking clothes. He came off the trail last November, and has not seen another hiker in 5 weeks. I had not seen anyone in 3 days and started to freak. Mark is a tall thin guy, about thirtyish, and Russ is probably about the same age. Anyway, we got into gear talk and Mark commented that all his gear weighed 16# (everything!) Now realize I "was" pretty smug about my 38#, and my 38# was not cheap. This high tech stuff is expensive. He finally went and got his pack and it was a work of creativity. It was art. Basically, he took a quality external frame pack and cut the pack away keeping just the frame, shoulder straps and belt. He positioned 5 stuff sacks perpendicular to the frame and attached them with straps and velcro. He did all the work which was a lot of high test sewing. On his belt he had sewn pouches to hold various stuff. (16#'s!) Where I had invested a lot of money and little creativity, Mark was extremely creative and spent a little money. It was a real lesson in light weight backpacking. Mark's design is available from Dana Designs New Work Pack, but Mark brought it to a new level. It is a single purpose pack, but man it is effective. I was about ready to head up to my cabin when I mentioned that I would be leaving the trail for two weeks in April. hey both stopped in their tracks and stared at me with horrible looks on their faces. It was like I said something really bad about their mothers. Russ said "It better be important". Mark said "They never come back." I said it was business, as I was too embarrassed to tell them it was for two weeks of sun, sand, wine, food and you can fill in the rest! Well, I better start packing up for my ride back tthe trail. Later. 4:52 PM Low Gap Shelter. I'm sitting here looing at a picture of my beautiful daughter and her daughter. I think I might have gotten a little sunburned (farmer tan). The trail took me over Hogpen Gap. Straight up and straight down. It took at least an hour and came within sight of where I started the climb. I felt good. Powered by pizza juice in my veins. Suns going down and cooling off fast. The guys at the lodge said tomorrow was going to be a little difficult. So, maybe I'll go to Blue Mountain Shelter at 7.5 miles. Oh, I bought a book. My decision was based on weight and cover. Have no idea what it's about.
Feb. 9, 2001 Tray Mountain Shelter 15 miles today 56.2 total
Big day for me. I'm starting to trust my body. You never can be sure that something won't give out, knees, back, etc. Today I started to stretch out a little and my feet are not happy. Everything else seems to be holding together. Tonight I have company, a south bounder named Healed and his dog Annie. It's really nice to have someone to talk to. Tomorrow I will stay in Hiawassee, GA, Mills Motel. I think it is 10.5 miles to the highway, then 11 miles into town. Oh yes! Tomorrow is the big challenge is "Kelly Knob" from 3300 to 4250 feet. The trail guide says to pace yourself. I am really tired. I need sleep.
Feb. 10, 2001 10.4 miles - 67 total Mills Motel, Hiawassee, GA
I left Tray Mountain Shelter at daybreak. Stopped at Deep Gap Shelter for lunch and arrived at Dicks Creek Gap (hwy 76) I did hitchhike into Hiawassee. I can't remember the last time I stuck out my thumb for a ride. Got one quickly and was dropped off at the motel. Did my resupply and laundry. Tomorrow is Sunday and the weather is supposed to be ok. It is Monday that I am concerned about as they are predicting freezing rain. If it is that bad I'll stay here until Tues., if not, I'll be shuttled by the police chief back to Dick's Creek Gap.
Feb. 11, 2001 Muskrat Creek Shelter 11 miles 78.3 total
Stayed at Mulls Motel in Hiawassa, Ga. last night. I was going to be shuttled back to the trail by the police chief of Hiawassee, but decided to forgo the $15 charge and stuck out my thumb instead. Hitchhiking out of Hiawassee on Sunday morning is interesting. Steve Allison (does that sound famliar?) gave me a ride. He is a nice guy, about thirty, a hunter, fisherman, and hiker. Hiking this time of year has its advantages. There are no leaves on the trees so the vistas are more accessible. When I leave a town or road, the trail goes back up into the mountain. On a resupply day this means my pack is at its max weight. The trail winds around quite a bit and sometimes it takes us straight up with switchbacks. Sometimes it curves around gradually taking you up. I'm heading for Muskrat Creek Shelter. Today was spent mostly in the woods. Being a Sunday, I met week-end hikers. Its always nice seing people out here. I got to the shelter about 3:00 and noticed I had lost my glasses. To save weight I didn't bring a back-up pair. BIG MISTAKE! I depend on the trail guide to direct me to water. I carry a small filter and filter tablets so I can drink any water I can find. Most of my water comes from springs, but you have to be able to find them.
Feb. 12, 2001 Carter Gap Shelter 13 miles - 91 miles total
Happy Days! Yesterday, I put Georgia behind. Georgia and North Carolina are the toughest walking with the exception of the White and Green Mountains (which are way up North) It's strange not being able to read, but the vistas are magnificient! Today was my first day over 5000 ft. On top of Standing Indian Mountain you can see mountain range upon mountain range - fog or clouds were packed into the valleys with the mountain tops standing out. It was beautiful. I was alone at the shelter last night, and I am guessing I'll be alone tonight. It was really cold last night, but not bad tonight. Wish I could read, but thankfully I have a radio.
Feb. 13, 2001 Microtell Inn, Franklin, NC 16 miles - 107 total
What a day! Cold rain all day, but I did get some beautiful views and I hope pictures. The trail took me over Albert Mountain, the highlight of a long wet day. Albert's not the highest Mountain (5220 ft), but it's the steepest. Going up, you have a 2/10 mile rock climb (very steep). There is a way around the mountain and I was going to go up and take a look and if it looked dangerous I was going to go back down and walk around. I'm alone so if I got hurt it could be serious, especially when you are wet and it is cold. Before I realized it, I was so far into the rocks and it was so steep, I was afraid to turn around or look down. The top presented an incredible view - hope those pictures turn out. I was wet and cold so I took the pictures and headed for the next section for lunch. I changed into dry clothes, and ate my lunch in a dump of a shelter. I changed back into my wet clothes and headed for Rock Gap Shelter. There was a local guy there with a shaved head, walking around looking at the ground. I decided to keep moving and try for Franklin, NC The trail hits a major highway 10 miles east of Franklin. When I got to the highway, traffic was zooming by. It was raining hard, and I was very wet. Not the greatest position to be in when you are begging for a ride. I was going to give it 45 minutes then I was going to continue on for a few miles and tent it. I was wet, cold with only long underware bottoms and a fleece top dry. Also, I have been fighting a low grade fever/cold/flu for the last few days. I was picked up by John Hooker, deputy sheriff for Macon County. He is a great guy. He took me right to my motel. During check-in, I told the woman at the counter about my sight problems as I tried to fill out the information card. A young man, Kris, overheard and offered to take me to K-Mart. I bought two new pairs of reading glasses, Tylenol Flu Medicine and a thermometer. Still have a low-grade fever, but I am dry, warm, and well fed. Bud Colcord, a hiking club member, is going to shuttle me back to the trail tomorrow at 8:00 AM. I am getting stronger and my pack belts getting bigger. I have to call the pack manufacturer and have them mail me a smaller belt to a post office somewhere up on the trail. My miles are starting to pick up which makes me happy. A typical day will put me on the trail at daybreak (7:00 AM now) I'll stop for lunch about 11:00 and generally get to a shelter about 3:00 or 4:00 PM. Cook dinner, make lunch for the next day, write in my journals, read my book, listen for weather reports and sleep. My daughter asked me if I was having fun. It is an interesting question, which I had to think about. The last time I talked with her, I answered her. This is more than fun. It is like taking the best course of study you can imagine. It involves work, planning, and execution. The rewards are realized everyday in your accomplishments, the places you go, the things you see, and the prople you meet. It's hard work, but its the most magnificient thing I've ever done.
Feb. 14, 2001 Microtel Inn, Franklin, NC
I talked with Midge last night and she suggested I include more information on what I'm seeing. Because this is a family project, I asked her to include her thoughts on this hike. I wrote the last three days of this journal from the comfort of a motel because I had no glasses last Sunday. If you, as a reader of my journals have questions or suggestions we would welcome your comments. Do Wa Diddy
Feb. 14 Midge's View
I think this is one incredible thing that Tim is doing. I miss him very much, worry, and wonder why this is his dream. Then I read his journals as I am typing them in, and realize how wonderful it must be for him to experience all the aspects of this trail. I hope you enjoy reading his journals, and I hope I am not making too many mistakes. There is no spell check on this program.
Feb. 15, 2001 Microtel Inn, Franklin, NC 107 miles
It's frustrating sitting here on hold. It's raining out and rain is also expected for tomorrow (Fri. 2/16), but clearing 2/17 forward. I was scheduled to be shuttled back to the trail this morning, but because of a constant fever, I decided to give myself another day. I'll take this opportunity to review my progress and my future plans. Saturday 2/3 after being shuttled to within one mile of the summit of Springer Mountain, I walked to the southern terminus and got there about 4:00 PM. That night I spent a very cold night on top of Springer with seven other people. Sunday 2/4 Everybody hit the trail early. The more experienced hikers left us unexperienced hikers in the dust. The next three nights I spent at shelters as opposed to an open shelter. To continue reading my journals click on the journals link at the top of the page............
