Day 12. Zero Day - Video Updates

It has been difficult uploading videos in the field with connectivity issues. Below are a few videos in sequence to catch up on progress. I have Verizon Wireless as a cell carrier. I will do my best to post videos from time to time... Hope you enjoy...

Day 11. Carter Gap Shelter to Winding Stair Gap NC

Survived another cold snowy night!!! It was very cold last night at Carter Gap shelter. Unfortunately, at 0330 hours I had to get out of my warm sleeping bag and walk to the privy approximately 100 yards from the shelter... All the while the wind was blowing the snow sideways!!! Not fun... So I arrive at the privy and shine my headlamp inside to find a mouse sitting on the seat. "I'm sorry Mr. Mouse, but please step aside. I have to go badly!!" He moved about four inches from me and just watched as I did my business in the dead cold of night. I can only imagine what he was thinking.

In the morning I awoke to frozen boots, clothes and water bottles. Crap!!! I packed up and started to hike at 0800. The plan was to hike to the Long Branch Shelter, 8.6 miles. The hike was awesome. I climbed some of the most awe inspiring ledges and ridges so far. The views were unbelievable. I summited Albert Mountain at 5250 Feet above sea level and climbed the US Forestry Fire Tower. I took some amazing photos and video.

When I arrived at Long Branch Shelter, I felt good and strong so I decided to keep hiking another 7.3 miles to Winding Stair Gap in Franklin NC. When I arrived at the Gap, a day hiker offered me a ride into Franklin. I loaded my stinky self into his car along with his two dogs and headed to Ron Havens Budget Inn. Today I hiked 15.9 miles...

Had a hot and needed shower, did my laundry and went for Mexican food and ice cold beer!! I will stay here and take a zero day tomorrow. A zero day means no miles hiked. I need to resupply for the next 6 days in order to get to Fontana Dam. That is the beginning of the Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee.

Biggest lesson learned today: " Do not use Mountain Laurel leaves in place of toilet paper. Not fun!"

So far I have hiked 109.8 miles!!!! ( I have two big heel blisters... Ouch)

Day 10. Standing Indian Shelter to Carter Gap Shelter

Last night I endured the storm!! The wind was blowing gusts up to 50 mph with freezing rain pelting the shelter all night long. I managed to stay warm in my sleeping bag. I started to hike at 1030 once the storm eased up a bit. I hiked with How about and Ground Pounder 7.6 miles to the Carter Gap Shelter.

The climb over Standing Indian Mountain was cold and wet. The rain pelted us all the way to the summit. The decent was four miles down hill and took a toll on my right knee. There was one challenging stream crossing where I nearly took a bath!!! Even though today was cold and rainy, I found great solitude within myself. Today was full of adventure.

Just got settled into Carter Gap Shelter. It's a dark, cold and dank shelter. There is evidence of mice here. I am fully prepared to do battle with Micky Mouse and his friends tonight.

Tomorrow I will push 8.6 miles Long Branch Shelter. The weather is again calling or cold and rain.

So far I have hiked 93.9 miles!!!

I plan to be in Franklin North Carolina on Thursday. I will take a zero day there to rest, resupply and refit.

Good night...

Day 9. Bly Gap NC to Standing Indian Shelter

Last night in Bly Gap was a pain in my ass, literally. I set up my tent on a slight incline due to the terrain. All night long I was sliding off my sleeping pad and landing up on a tree root. The moon was bright and the Bard Owls were hooting.

I awoke at 0830 and packed up. At the top of Bly Gap is one of the most photographed trees on the AT. So I stopped for a photo op. it was a very cold morning in the low 30's. the climb out of Bly Gap was straight up for over a mile!!! The trail was a rock scramble at times. Water sources and springs were plentiful.

I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter around 1530 after hiking 9.9 miles. Changed into dry clothes, made a nice hot meal of lasagna and started a warming fire. How About and Ground pounder are here for the night also. Tomorrow the plan is to hike over Standing Indian Mountain (5498 above sea level) and arrive at Carter Gap Shelter for the night depending on weather. There is a storm front moving in tonight that may bring snow. It will be 7.6 mile day mostly uphill.

My cell phone battery is at half battery life and my external charger is completely depleted. I have three days until reaching Franklin North Carolina. The phone will be off and saved for emergencies only. My IPad is at 50% battery life.

So far I have hiked 86.3 miles!!! Until next time....

Day 8. Good bye Georgia!!!

Today I planned for an easy 5.5 mile day and stay at the Plumorchard Shelter. When I arrived there, I made dinner and decided to push on another 4.5 miles to Bly Gap and camp. The climb out of Plumorchard was long and steep with switch backs. The trail enters the Nantahala Forest at Blue Ridge Gap with a not so welcoming ascent. The forest is awesome with hardwoods and pines.

I arrived at Bly Gap just after dark. Set up my tent and hung my food to prevent any black bears from trying to visit me... Lol.

At mile marker 78.6 I officially crossed over the state line to North Carolina!!! This was a huge milestone for me. The sign almost brought tears to my eyes.

Long distance hiking will give a grown man a good dose of humility and rawness . Here man is stripped to only the bare necessities and placed into an unfamiliar environment . Your physical and emotional being is tested to its limits. In the past 8 days, I have learned a lot about myself. I also discovered there are a lot of good people willing to help a stranger. When I decide to leave this adventure, I too will give back to mankind through random acts of kindness.

Tomorrow I plan to push to Standing Indian Shelter. The climb will be all uphill for 9.5 miles.

I am now snug in my sleeping bag listing to the wind gently breeze though the trees and the Bard Owls calling out to each other . Good night..

Day 7. Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap

Wow... Today's the the hardest day of all. At 0900 hours I was shuttled back to Unicoi Gap to begin a 16.7 mile slack pack. Rash, How About and Head Hunter accompanied me. This was a grueling 8 1/2 hour death march up and down steep peaks including the summit of Tray Mountain 4500 feet in elevation. The weather was cool and misty. Thick white clouds filled the forest. Visibility was low. When we finished at 1730 hours, I could barely walk. My muscles were in full failure mode and my heals covered in burning blisters. It amazed me just how far I could push the limits of my body.

We got a shuttle back to the Budget Inn in Hiawassee, cleaned up, ate and settled in for the night. I experience excruciating leg cramps for the better part of the night.

Tomorrow I will resupply for 5 days to make it into Franklin North Carolina. The plan is to hike only 5 miles to the next shelter...

So far I have hiked 69.6 miles. I am only 8 miles to the North Carolina border!!!!

Below is a photo of a tree with a bent branch. This was done by Indians for markers and directions. The pic was taken in Indian Gap near an ancient Indian burial ground.

Day 6 Low Gap Shelter to Unicoi Gap

Day 6. Low Gap Shelter to Unicoi Gap, Hiawassee GA

As predicted, the storm kept us at bay in the Low Gap Shelter. It rained and the wind whipped through the Gap all night into the morning. The temps were in the high 30's however much colder with the wind chill factor. At 0800 hours we hit the trail dressed in full rain gear.

The trail was mostly up hill along an old defunct 1940's highway. It soon turned to a rocky, muddy trail. We hiked 9.7 miles to Unicoi Gap in Hawaassee and was shuttled to Ron Havens Budget Inn for the night. We split the cost of two rooms. Took a nice hot shower, laundry and ate well deserved pizza and beer!!

Tomorrow the plan is to slack pack 16.7 miles to Dicks Creek Gap and shuttled back to the inn for one more night. Slack packing means we will leave our packs at the Inn and hike with only a daypack containing water and emergency. The following day we will be shuttled back to Dicks Creek Gap to continue our hike. Tomorrow is calling for bad weather in the area again.

So far I have hiked 52.9 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Statistics show that 20 % will drop out at Neels Gap mm 31. So far I have beat the odds!!!

Day 4 - 5 Neels Gap to Low Gap Shelter

Yesterday I made my way to Neels Gap after getting rain and snow soaked coming out of Woody Gap. I took a zero day at Mountain Crossings Hostel. Pirate and Lumpy the hostel hosts made a great dinner of crackling corn bread and beans!


After a nice pancake breakfast I hit the trail at 0800 hours. The climb out of Neels Gap was tough but the views were awesome. I hiked 11.5 miles to Low Gap Shelter. My feet were very happy when I took my boots off. The shelter is full of thru hikers. A large storm is approaching tonight and tomorrow. In the morning, I will assess the conditions and make a plan where to wait it out.

Yesterday I bought a Jet Boil Stove and replaced my alcohol burner. It was a great decision and will make my cooking skills easier. Tonight I made mashed potatoes and chicken!!!