2017 Appalachian Hike

Started hiking this morning at 7:30. The forecast said 0% chance of rain and sunny. I hiked the whole morning in fog and drizzle.  I was supposed to meet Doug and Deb at Spanish Oak Gap at 10:00. That didn’t work out so well since there’s no road going there. After a a lot of… Continue reading Standing Bear Farm-Roaring Fork Shelter. 255.5 done/1934.3 to go. April 1, 2017

Last night was kind of a sleepless night. Lots of rain and wind. I got up early and hit the trail as soon as it got light.  I hiked the first four hours in the rain. I feel a little cheated. I’ve spent four days in the Smokies and three of them have been in… Continue reading Tri Corner Knob Shelter-Standing Bear Farm. 240.3 miles done/1949.5 to go. March 31, 2017

This is late. Yesterday’s post. I had no service yesterday, last night and most of today. I’ll have another post tonight.  Bob and Judy made bacon, eggs, potatoes, biscuits and jam for breakfast this morning. Then Bob drove me back to Newfound Gap so I could pick up where I left off.  I was grateful… Continue reading Newfound Gap-Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. 221.9 done/1967.9 to go. March 30, 2017

I got up this morning at the usual 5:30am. I’m sure some in the shelter don’t appreciate the early morning rattling around in the shelter, but there were three others that wanted to start early so it wasn’t just me. I cooked my oatmeal with honey and cinnamon and packed. Tasteless, Backtrack, Chico and I… Continue reading Double Spring Gap Shelter-Newfound Gap. 206.8 done/1983.0 to go. March 29, 2017

I sure am glad I was in a shelter last night. It rained hard. I was up by 5:30 again. That’s my usual wake up time. It gives me time to cook oatmeal and pack. I’m usually waiting for the sun to rise so I can start hiking.  Today was a tough day. The trails… Continue reading Spence Field Shelter-Double Spring Gap Shelter. 196.4 done/1993.4 to go. March 28, 2017. 

Hello Tennessee. I can’t say goodbye North Carolina because we cross back and forth between the two states for the next several miles.  Here is the rainbow we saw last night.  The shelter I stayed in last night was very full. I made friends with a couple other old guys. Their names were LowTech and… Continue reading Fontana Dam Shelter-Spence Field Shelter 182.9 done/2006.9 to go. March 27, 2017

I’m staying in a shelter for the first time tonight. This is the biggest one on the AT. It holds 24 people. It looks like we’ll be pretty full tonight. It’s nickname is the Fontana Hilton. We actually have a bathroom and shower at this location. This morning was miserable for me. First I couldn’t sleep because… Continue reading Brown Fork Gap-Fontana Dam Shelter. 165.0 done/2024.2 to go. March 26, 2017. 

Today was another challenging day. I said I was going to do a shorter day and it didn’t work out that way. I think I’m just wired to push hard. Tomorrow I’m definitely only going 12.8. I’ll finish tomorrow at Fontana Dam. Right after that is the entry into Smoky Mountain National Park. At Fontana… Continue reading Nantahala Outdoor Center-Brown Fork Gap Shelter. 152.8 done/2037.0 to go. March 25, 2017

Happy birthday Tenley! Today is my granddaughter’s fifth birthday. She is an example of super charged energy.  I had another long day even though I said I wouldn’t. I guess I’m just wired that way.  I am committed however to take it easier tomorrow. Today was hard. My knees are talking to me. Tomorrow looks… Continue reading Wayah Bald Shelter-Nantahala Outdoor Center. 137.0 done/2052.8 to go. March 24, 2017. 

Another pretty long day. I think I need an easier day tomorrow. My challenge is the spacing of the shelters. There are other places on the trail to camp, but I like that there is a privy and other people at the shelters. Usually the  next shelter is to close, but to go to the… Continue reading Long Branch Shelter-Wayah Bald Shelter. 120.5 done/2069.3 to go. March 23, 2017