So it's Pearisburgh I am in. This is a small town around mile marker 624 which epitimizes the small town sprawl car driving strip mall fast food pick up truck down home USA. But onward with the hiking and ponies.
Yes ponies this time!!! I cannot post pictures now but will soon enough; these ponies were so very used to people they walked up to us. Spring is definitely in the air and everyday brings more blossoms, bright colors--white tree blooms, purple flower sprouts, red bushes bursting, green and greener ferns-- but also the stuffy head of allergies. I have passed through the slopping meadows of Virginia past grazing cows, found some morel mushrooms, made a dandelion salad and passed the 500 mile marker. Things are really cruising now that the weather is warm, if not down right so hot I worked on my hiker tan-hopefully the shoulder straps should stay as lilly white as my bottom.
The weather could not have been better these last few days and although the terrain has been hard, rocky and jagged, I have pushed for close to 20 miles a day in the hopes to reach Washington DC around the 22nd of May.
I came to the realization a day after Damascus that there are quite a few things I would like to do between now and June so I better get a move on. Seeing some friends after being on the trail for so long is a major factor in my "get-your-ass-in-gear-and-hike-til-you-drop" mentality. Although I have met many great people on the trail and have made many friends, there is nothing like chewing the fat with good buddies. I also have a wedding or 2 and a graduation so, unfortunately for me, life does not halt for hikers on the trail.
Seems I am being asked to get off the computer. It is hard to know how every library runs the computer sessions. Until Later.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The road to Damascus
A great many conversions have come to pass since the beginning of the trip so it is fitting that Damascus is the place where I have found my "hiker legs". Since Erwin TN, I have been able to do many 20 mile days without being completely exhausted at the end of the day; on the way into town I pulled what was later called the "Damascathon" with a ~26 mile day.
Coming out of Erwin and the few days after were harder than I expected, especially since I made myself sick from all the fried food at the AYCE KFC. The weather was again no help in the matter with steady showers and thick fog as we scaled mountain tops accented with blustery wind whipping up from the valley. At one point the rain and my physical fatigue had taken such a toll on my body I did not have the push to scale Roan Mt in the last 3 miles of the day. The climb was too daunting so I found a thicket of pine to wait out the rain and make an early dinner. I fashioned a simple shelter intertwined in the branches out of my Tyvex (a waterproof groundpad) while I ate and listened to the thunderous downpour. Finally arriving to the highest shelter on the AT at 6,200 ft late in the day, I found a house-like establishement with a door and attic where 5 other hikers whom had passed me during the day were neatly tucked into their sleeping bags.
The night was one of the more miserable and damp times I have spend in my sleeping bag as I attempted to dry out some of my clothing with body heat. None of us slept well that night as the temperature dropped so that the morning turned out to be the coldest I have experienced at 30 degrees. It made for some beautiful scenery once I crossed the balds which had been painted white with iced trees and high grass from the cold wind and light rain. The wind was so steady and cold the ice on the grass was jutting out 4 inches.
Later, lower and warmer in the day I was surprised by the huff of wild horses in the fog. At first I thought they would run away so I quickly took my camera out to take pictures and video but they have seen enough hikers to know we are friendly enough to share food and salty enough to lick the pack covers of. What impressive creatures!
A day or two later (cause in between is just more hiking in a cloud), I came to Watauga lake where I spent the day in the sun with a few other hiking buddies, had pizza delivered and jumped in the frigid waters for 30 seconds. Things were looking up, drying out and the afternoon was as relaxing as you could imagine. These are the times when I don't feel like continuing my hike only because the weather is so perfect lounging in the grass without a care in the world seems like the only right thing to do. Still the rambling road calls so staying too long goes against the daily habit.
The trail to Damascus after that was a breeze and the trail does seem to flaten out a bit. It was also nice to see cars with familiar VA license plates upon coming into town. This little town is the home of "Trail Days" which is a yearly hiking festival where many past thru hikers and new ones gather to share stories, gather gear from company reps and reconnect with hiking friends who may have fallen behind or pushed on ahead; it will be held the weekend of May15th this year.
The rolling hills of Virginia are in my sights and the Shennandoah mts were many hikers say 30 mile days are possible will be a welcome change.
Coming out of Erwin and the few days after were harder than I expected, especially since I made myself sick from all the fried food at the AYCE KFC. The weather was again no help in the matter with steady showers and thick fog as we scaled mountain tops accented with blustery wind whipping up from the valley. At one point the rain and my physical fatigue had taken such a toll on my body I did not have the push to scale Roan Mt in the last 3 miles of the day. The climb was too daunting so I found a thicket of pine to wait out the rain and make an early dinner. I fashioned a simple shelter intertwined in the branches out of my Tyvex (a waterproof groundpad) while I ate and listened to the thunderous downpour. Finally arriving to the highest shelter on the AT at 6,200 ft late in the day, I found a house-like establishement with a door and attic where 5 other hikers whom had passed me during the day were neatly tucked into their sleeping bags.
The night was one of the more miserable and damp times I have spend in my sleeping bag as I attempted to dry out some of my clothing with body heat. None of us slept well that night as the temperature dropped so that the morning turned out to be the coldest I have experienced at 30 degrees. It made for some beautiful scenery once I crossed the balds which had been painted white with iced trees and high grass from the cold wind and light rain. The wind was so steady and cold the ice on the grass was jutting out 4 inches.
Later, lower and warmer in the day I was surprised by the huff of wild horses in the fog. At first I thought they would run away so I quickly took my camera out to take pictures and video but they have seen enough hikers to know we are friendly enough to share food and salty enough to lick the pack covers of. What impressive creatures!
A day or two later (cause in between is just more hiking in a cloud), I came to Watauga lake where I spent the day in the sun with a few other hiking buddies, had pizza delivered and jumped in the frigid waters for 30 seconds. Things were looking up, drying out and the afternoon was as relaxing as you could imagine. These are the times when I don't feel like continuing my hike only because the weather is so perfect lounging in the grass without a care in the world seems like the only right thing to do. Still the rambling road calls so staying too long goes against the daily habit.
The trail to Damascus after that was a breeze and the trail does seem to flaten out a bit. It was also nice to see cars with familiar VA license plates upon coming into town. This little town is the home of "Trail Days" which is a yearly hiking festival where many past thru hikers and new ones gather to share stories, gather gear from company reps and reconnect with hiking friends who may have fallen behind or pushed on ahead; it will be held the weekend of May15th this year.
The rolling hills of Virginia are in my sights and the Shennandoah mts were many hikers say 30 mile days are possible will be a welcome change.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
An Easter Sunday Hitch in Erwin TN
Today was a day of stoic patience and understanding. Let me first catch you up on the past few journal entries.
April 9th Day:29 Campsite marker 304.9
Daily miles: 22.2 Weather: sunny 70
Menu: B(breakfast): Poptarts, peanut butter (pb), Granola bar (Gbar), Oatmeal Cream pie (ocp)
Lunch (L): Trail Magic from Hercules- Belgian Waffles, beef stew, black berry poundcake cobblrer with 3 scoops of ice cream, coffee
Dinner(D): Rice and beans, cheese, roll, poptart,ocp
Today was the first 20 mile o moer day. It's 1:30am right now and we just finished a full moon hike that put us over the 300 mile mark. I am not sure if i would have been up for the challenge had it not been for trail magic earlier in the day. Hercules and Fal were so hospitable letting us into their home and catering to our hungry desires by offering us a list of drinks, 3 course meal with dessert and a hug to end it all. Very nice folks!
today also proved to be a day of pranks as Steam(jason) added a can of soup to Tin Man's pack- he will have to carry it 24hrs before handing it off discretly.
I was able to make the 2nd shelter 15.2 miles away in good time so I could make dinner before heading out to our continued 6.8 mi full moon hike. Now I sleep in open air near a neat cluster of tents bordering the trail. The wind blow gently and it is still warm for so late in the night.
April 10 Day: 30 Hogback Ridge Shelter
Daily miles:7.9 Weather: Thunderstorms in the morning and night, sunny day
Menu: B- Poptarts, ocp, gbar,
L- 2 luncheon meat, cheddar, relish, sandwiches, fig newtons, gorp
D- Tuna onion, velvetta shells, mashed potatoes
Woke up to a klittle sprinking which led to a heavy downpour. The night was not too bad for arriving late and not setting up a tent. I flew out of my sleeping bag at the first drop and was packed as fast as a jack rabbit. Getting up so early and rushing around got me real tired and I had to crap. Finally, after a mile when I was drenched, chaffing and at my limit, I came to a road crossing with a good pine tree covering on the side where I was able to take care of business and put on some tights.
Things were looking up!!!
The rest of the day was uneventful do to the fact that I was exhausted and could not move my legs. I did not get to the shelter until 3pm and I think I left around 9:45am. The muddy trail made for slips and slides at every step.
I thought about going on a little furter so i could get to Erwin early on sunday but a new hiker i met, Dinnertime, had his buddy Brian birng lots of goodies and captain Morgan. They like to share! I imagine the evening will wind down with a few nips of rum while listening to the bass of thunder.
April 11th Day 31 No Business Knob Shelter
daily miles: 20.7 Weather: Rainy, 40 fog clear evening
Menu: B-oatmeal (4 packets), pb, apple, ocp, gorp gbar
L- Luncheon meat cheese onion crakcers snickers ocp gorp
D- Alfredo side, sweet and spicy tuna,butterfinger ocp
Did 20 miles again today. Hitting the big mileage is getting to be quite nice. Tomorrow I have an easy 6.3 to Erwin and my plan is to get up as early as possible to grab breakfast in town, go food shopping, hit the internet and watch a movie before heading for the shelter 4.2mi out of town.
I have heard there is an AYCE piza buffet in town. Sounds promising!
I lost Ian and Kendra at the last shelter and I am sure they are about 1 day behind now; they may be getting even further with the high mileage days I am putting in. I really do miss them and hoope to be able to watch a playoff game with them.
Not much else to tell, the hike was muddy but not terribly dreadful for 20 miles. I should sleept since will be getting up at 6am.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So those are the highlights of the past few days. Things did not go as planned today but I just went with it.
I did not get up at 6am...it was 6:38am.
I got to the hostel around 9am. Dried my stuff out and took a shower. Washed my socks and undies. Then borrowed a bike to head to town but the derailler broke when one of the gears popped off. I stashed the bike in the back of a funeral home and then hitched a ride to the china buffet where I was going to meet some people but that was closed.
There was not All You Can Eat pizza buffet...but I went to a great KFC buffet
The movie theater was closed. So I went food shopping and hitched a ride back to the hostel.
I barely got to the internet.
Now I have to head out the door to make it to the shelter before dark. I still have plenty of time and 2 italian hoagies and a pear in my bag for dinner.
I should be in Damascus where I take a Zero in about 8days. Happy Easter!
April 9th Day:29 Campsite marker 304.9
Daily miles: 22.2 Weather: sunny 70
Menu: B(breakfast): Poptarts, peanut butter (pb), Granola bar (Gbar), Oatmeal Cream pie (ocp)
Lunch (L): Trail Magic from Hercules- Belgian Waffles, beef stew, black berry poundcake cobblrer with 3 scoops of ice cream, coffee
Dinner(D): Rice and beans, cheese, roll, poptart,ocp
Today was the first 20 mile o moer day. It's 1:30am right now and we just finished a full moon hike that put us over the 300 mile mark. I am not sure if i would have been up for the challenge had it not been for trail magic earlier in the day. Hercules and Fal were so hospitable letting us into their home and catering to our hungry desires by offering us a list of drinks, 3 course meal with dessert and a hug to end it all. Very nice folks!
today also proved to be a day of pranks as Steam(jason) added a can of soup to Tin Man's pack- he will have to carry it 24hrs before handing it off discretly.
I was able to make the 2nd shelter 15.2 miles away in good time so I could make dinner before heading out to our continued 6.8 mi full moon hike. Now I sleep in open air near a neat cluster of tents bordering the trail. The wind blow gently and it is still warm for so late in the night.
April 10 Day: 30 Hogback Ridge Shelter
Daily miles:7.9 Weather: Thunderstorms in the morning and night, sunny day
Menu: B- Poptarts, ocp, gbar,
L- 2 luncheon meat, cheddar, relish, sandwiches, fig newtons, gorp
D- Tuna onion, velvetta shells, mashed potatoes
Woke up to a klittle sprinking which led to a heavy downpour. The night was not too bad for arriving late and not setting up a tent. I flew out of my sleeping bag at the first drop and was packed as fast as a jack rabbit. Getting up so early and rushing around got me real tired and I had to crap. Finally, after a mile when I was drenched, chaffing and at my limit, I came to a road crossing with a good pine tree covering on the side where I was able to take care of business and put on some tights.
Things were looking up!!!
The rest of the day was uneventful do to the fact that I was exhausted and could not move my legs. I did not get to the shelter until 3pm and I think I left around 9:45am. The muddy trail made for slips and slides at every step.
I thought about going on a little furter so i could get to Erwin early on sunday but a new hiker i met, Dinnertime, had his buddy Brian birng lots of goodies and captain Morgan. They like to share! I imagine the evening will wind down with a few nips of rum while listening to the bass of thunder.
April 11th Day 31 No Business Knob Shelter
daily miles: 20.7 Weather: Rainy, 40 fog clear evening
Menu: B-oatmeal (4 packets), pb, apple, ocp, gorp gbar
L- Luncheon meat cheese onion crakcers snickers ocp gorp
D- Alfredo side, sweet and spicy tuna,butterfinger ocp
Did 20 miles again today. Hitting the big mileage is getting to be quite nice. Tomorrow I have an easy 6.3 to Erwin and my plan is to get up as early as possible to grab breakfast in town, go food shopping, hit the internet and watch a movie before heading for the shelter 4.2mi out of town.
I have heard there is an AYCE piza buffet in town. Sounds promising!
I lost Ian and Kendra at the last shelter and I am sure they are about 1 day behind now; they may be getting even further with the high mileage days I am putting in. I really do miss them and hoope to be able to watch a playoff game with them.
Not much else to tell, the hike was muddy but not terribly dreadful for 20 miles. I should sleept since will be getting up at 6am.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So those are the highlights of the past few days. Things did not go as planned today but I just went with it.
I did not get up at 6am...it was 6:38am.
I got to the hostel around 9am. Dried my stuff out and took a shower. Washed my socks and undies. Then borrowed a bike to head to town but the derailler broke when one of the gears popped off. I stashed the bike in the back of a funeral home and then hitched a ride to the china buffet where I was going to meet some people but that was closed.
There was not All You Can Eat pizza buffet...but I went to a great KFC buffet
The movie theater was closed. So I went food shopping and hitched a ride back to the hostel.
I barely got to the internet.
Now I have to head out the door to make it to the shelter before dark. I still have plenty of time and 2 italian hoagies and a pear in my bag for dinner.
I should be in Damascus where I take a Zero in about 8days. Happy Easter!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Great Smoky National Forest and beyond
So once again I am racing for time on the computer in a small town. Hot Springs NC is about .6 milles long with one main road and no stop lights. It's name was 'Warm Springs' until 1886 when someone decided "hot" was a better descriptive adjective of the mineral springs running under the town; tepid was rejected get go. I have soaked twice in these hot spring jacuzzis and already feel much better about the arduous trek from the Smokies.
Heading out the first day was a beautiful sunny day and I even saw a wild turkey on the path. What a great way to start. The second day showed to be blustery and cold with fog clouds but the higher into the mountain the worse the weather. Gust were pushing me sideways so I had to stick my pole almost perpendicular to the trail in order not the be blown over. What a day that was! Stabilizer muscles were hurting.
After that the rest is a cloud. I got to Clingman's Dome but only saw the deep white cover of nothingness. The Smokies were showing me who was the boss. I talked to a section hiker who told me the forest gets only 4 inches of rain less than a rain forest a year so it's not surprising to be hit with such moisture. At this point 3 days of rain was beginning to get to me. Everyone was ready to get down to sunshine because the ridge and mountain tops were engulfed in clouds.
Once at the bottom, the weather was better but my body was beat. It had been 7 days since I have had a real meal, showered, or even slept in my tent (the Smokies require everyone to sleep in the shelters to minimize the impact on wildlife. As you can imagine, it gets rather stuffy and clutered when 15 hikers take cover from the rain.) After not sleeping very well for some days and already having a late start to the day, I booked it to Max Patch which gives a full 360 degree view, including the Great Smokey Mtns. The hike was harder and longer than I expected but once up there it was quite worth having lunch there. The second part of the hike that day took it out of me. Mr. Right said he felt sorry for me once I arrived at camp. Wow! I must have looked like a bag of smashed assholes after 8 days on the trail.
The next day was Hot Springs and nothing could have stopped me. I took a zero and enjoyed every bit of it. Now I have to go because the library is closing. Thanks for your kind words.
Heading out the first day was a beautiful sunny day and I even saw a wild turkey on the path. What a great way to start. The second day showed to be blustery and cold with fog clouds but the higher into the mountain the worse the weather. Gust were pushing me sideways so I had to stick my pole almost perpendicular to the trail in order not the be blown over. What a day that was! Stabilizer muscles were hurting.
After that the rest is a cloud. I got to Clingman's Dome but only saw the deep white cover of nothingness. The Smokies were showing me who was the boss. I talked to a section hiker who told me the forest gets only 4 inches of rain less than a rain forest a year so it's not surprising to be hit with such moisture. At this point 3 days of rain was beginning to get to me. Everyone was ready to get down to sunshine because the ridge and mountain tops were engulfed in clouds.
Once at the bottom, the weather was better but my body was beat. It had been 7 days since I have had a real meal, showered, or even slept in my tent (the Smokies require everyone to sleep in the shelters to minimize the impact on wildlife. As you can imagine, it gets rather stuffy and clutered when 15 hikers take cover from the rain.) After not sleeping very well for some days and already having a late start to the day, I booked it to Max Patch which gives a full 360 degree view, including the Great Smokey Mtns. The hike was harder and longer than I expected but once up there it was quite worth having lunch there. The second part of the hike that day took it out of me. Mr. Right said he felt sorry for me once I arrived at camp. Wow! I must have looked like a bag of smashed assholes after 8 days on the trail.
The next day was Hot Springs and nothing could have stopped me. I took a zero and enjoyed every bit of it. Now I have to go because the library is closing. Thanks for your kind words.
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