Appalachian Trail --- Section Hike 1 --- Day 8

What a difference a day off makes! 

Dicks Creek Gap to Standing Indian Summit
18.3 miles
Rain, rain and more rain
Crossed over into North Carolina!

We were re fueled from our zero day and one last night in the bunks. So off we went at 8am. Just after we sent one more bundle of goodies home...our packs now weigh about 30 and 23 lbs...shhhh! Don't tell Milli but i am not sure why her pack is getting heavier and mine is getting lighter... :)

Karen another bunk mate joined us for the first 1/2 mile or so. She was happy to enjoy her morning pace. I am never sure what the niceties or hiking etiquette are. Both Milli and I are always appreciative of kindness on the trail but understand people need to get where they are going too.

The sights along these 18.3 miles were gorgeous, especially when the rain stopped. At times it felt like we were traveling through the jungle. 

Today was an up up and up kinda day...from 2675' to 5498' with many ups and downs in between. 

Highlights of today...we ran into one of the three bunk mates from Hiawasee. She was just as surprised to see us as we her. She said the other two kept on going. We checked out this campsite, Standing Indian Shelter...but I am continuously weary of lean toos! When I see all the hanging bags of food round the shelter and in the shelter...I think if I was a bear...this is where i would strike first. Just saying'.

Some very funny trail names...chunky gal trail...stuck out for me!

Crossing over from GA into NC was a highlight!

Found Standing Indian Summit and its most beautiful views!

Happiness is...

Why does Milli's pack weigh more now than when we started???

Dicks Creek Gap 

Ramen noodle salt intake catching up with me!!! Eyes are practically swollen shut... :)

Famous twisted tree at Bly Gap ... GA/NC border

Hello back there Milli! 

Green tunnel! Protected us, for the most part, from beating sun and sheets of rain!

When you see a stream...fill up!

Feeling right at home on this trail... :) 

Finding our home for the night after 18.3 miles...Standing Indian Mountain summit!

Our sunset on the summit! Great reward for a long day

Camp Getz...Mountain House Thai Chicken...and rummy by eno disco lights...heaven! 

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 7

ZERO DAY!

A ZERO Day...!!! That means no hiking today. But errands aplenty... AYCE, pick up drop box, pick up rain covers for our packs, some different odds and ends and have a restful night.

I am not quite sure what the hiking etiquette or mantra is regarding hostels, zero days, slack packing etc. But the AT hostels have strict rules, when to get up, how long your allowed to stay (like 1 night), no alcohol...from all these rules, I am assuming they are in place for reasons...

Although we came in the night before, TOG allowed us to stay another night. Phew!

Our morning started with a crash course by the owner on the ways of the trail. Perhaps there should be a course, like PADI for scuba divers, for long distance hikers...?

Our new friend John, who was ending his trip that day, gave us his bear bag...we had been traveling with no odor bags in our tent. Seemed fine, but we took the bear bag anyway, learned how to use it, he also gave us some natural remedies for achy joints. I was happy!

Next we changed out of our "scrubs" some hikers don't, they go into town with the TOG scrubs on...but I think they look like mental patients...LOL! We took TOG's free shuttle 20 mins into town...straight to AYCE (all you can eat) at Daniels Steakhouse (go twice if you can)...we sat reminiscing about where we are and where we have come from ---we pat ourselves on the back on how we have been going strong, hitting major elevations everyday, trooping through rain every day, we are proud of ourselves, thankful for a day off and appreciative that we have our health and each other to do this hike together.

As we scarfed down fried chicken, fried clams, mash potatoes, salad, pie and soda we looked at our map, started planning our start for tomorrow, and counting our miles and elevation ahead.

We also take count of what we need to get while in civilization and plan another pack shake down for the morning before we leave again.

We pick up our drop box from the very nice people at the Hiawasee post office, we purchase two new waterproof pack covers from the local hiking shop, funny there is only ONE! Then we head to the supermarket to get dinner and some "snacks" for the trail...you can never have enough sugar.

We accomplished all of our tasks and made it to the shuttle pick up spot on time. Loaded down with too many goodies.

As it turns out, we didn't really need the drop box, we were sick of most of the food in there, there are plenty of towns to hitch hike to right off the trail to reload. So we donated all of our goods to the TOG store. 

Long day for a Zero Day! :) 

Rise and shine scrub wearing beauties!

Some useful information from our crash course:

 

This one made us smile and laugh...except trade "my mom" for "my dad/husband"...LOL!

Let the AYCE feasting begin...

Happy campers...

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 6

Wow yesterday was harder than expected! 

It has rained off and on everyday we have been hiking. Good for our water sources, good for cooling our day down...not great for the length of our hiking days...LOL! 

I watch the weather and make us get up and on the trail before the rain starts so we don't have to pack and carry a wet tent and then we don't stop for the day until we get a dry window to put up the tent back up.

So last night we walked past Unicoi Gap, after indeed gathering some trail magic of raisins, cookies and fuel! So worth it!! Thank you again to all trail angels.
We had neighbors they seemed very jolly indeed. It wasn't until we woke this morning did we meet father daughter duo, Boyd and Casey. They were heading to Dicks Creek and stopping there. Casey is coming back to thru hike the AT in 2019. 

We had some tears last night, some frustration and some decisions to make. 
I realized I double counted some miles from map 1 to map 2 and that the NOC is not 163.1 miles from Amicalola Falls. NOC and 163.1 miles were our original goals. 

So do we stop as planned shy of our goal or do we push ahead? We are only 6 days in and could reach NOC early than 14 days.
Well we have a few days to figure out that plan.

Milli is tired, so am I. We also learned how our energies affect one another and how one of us can't carry the positive energy for the both of us. This hike is too strenuous to double down on doubt or even bear the slightest negative energy. 

We learned about how personal balance impacts "team balance". 

Todays weather predicts HUGE thunder and lighting storm coming in...more immediate decision was do we hoof it and make it to Dicks Creek and TOG hostel? Can we make another 15 mile day with elevation and severe weather...and oh yeah can we make it to TOG by 7pm...after 7pm, they close...

Well we admired the views on top of Tray Mtn. made it up the steep incline at Sassafras Gap, at Addis Gap we thought we would take a break...when we saw someone had written in the dirt --- "BUGS BAD WENT 2 TOG, John".

Milli and I looked at each started laughing, ate something quickly, made our reservation at TOG and started moving twice as fast as we had been... Just as we were summiting Kelly Knob the heavens opened and the light show began...it felt like the thunder and lightening were chasing us all the way to Dicks Creek.

We still had 4 miles to go.

We missed Vista, because we barely could see three inches in front of ourselves. I was leading but getting tired and panicking that we wouldn't make the hostel closing time deadline. 

At 2 miles to go, my boots were filled with water, i could feel my feet were withered in my sloshing socks, we were covered in mud, i was cold, exhausted and discouraged. We were so close but i didn't think we were going to make it. 
I stopped and burst into tears.

Milli was quick to my side, telling me we could do this, reassuring me we were not too far away and to just think we could sleep inside in we kept on going...she offered to lead...we were off again. My body jumped at every clap of thunder, i looked up after each flash of light in the sky, always watching to make sure a tree wasn't falling towards us...

We made it to Dicks Creek Gap by 6:30pm...They picked us up at the Gap and within an hour we had a welcome drink, a hot shower, clean scrubs to wear, fresh laundered clothes and a pizza...oh yeah we had dinner with "john"!

DAY 6 SUMMARY:
From/To: Rocky Mtn. Trail to Dicks Creek Gap
15.8 miles
Weather: Started sunny...then thunder/lightening...we were shaking in our soggy boots...
Food: Today was a granola bar start, a short stop for turkey jerky/cheese roll ups.
Water: We were light on drinking water because we were drowning in it...happy to have ginger ale, hot cocoa and a diet coke greet us at TOG though!!!
People we met: We met Boyd and his daughter Casey. The gang at TOG, the infamous "john" and three other people staying at the TOG.
Highlights: Thunder and lightening like I have never seen before. 
Musts: Weather gear. 
Where we stayed: TOG --- highly recommend. Top of Georgia Hostel. What I came to grips with rather quickly was, I could be a purest and never see the inside of anything but a tent for 14 days or I can ebb and flow based on my audience to make 14 days memorable, in a good way!

Good morning day 6...

Tray Mtn. and beyond...

A little lunch at Addis Gap...

Just before the storm hit...

God gives you what you can handle! People before and after us saw rattlesnakes, bears...we saw pretty flowers, butter flies, a frog and a ring neck snake (more like a large worm)

Morning sun light

Knob Hill, the calm before the storm, literally...

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 5

Day 5 started with smiles! Or at least, no tears! 

A night at Mountain Crossings proved to be just what the doctor ordered...we woke at 7:30am, started repacking our packs, pulling a few more things to be mailed back home, made some oatmeal and tea, Milli took another shower for good measure and we lined up 8:30am...waiting for MC to open their doors.

As we sat on the stone terrace with our gear, there was a weird phenomena, hikers started appearing out of no where, they were coming from both the NOBO and SOBO trails, solo hikers, families, church groups and pairs, some we had seen the day before, others we would see later on and then others we probably would never see again. There also was a large contingency of cyclists pulling in to take a morning break.

We said our goodbyes to Joel and Damon and when the MC doors opened we were off to find inserts for Milli's shoes, more candy for the road and a number for a "ride" to the Hogpen Trailhead. Unlike our trail angel Sara, this morning we had to pay $30 for a ride...

The gang at Mountain Crossings was awesome --- thank you again to Carley, Tyler, Mike & Bill --- you and your positive energy were sights for sore eyes and humbled spirits. 

We heard from a few hikers early in the day to stay away from Blue Mtn. shelter because of mice and Barred owls...thanks for the heads up...gladly we will!

Milli and I were both thrilled today would be an "easier" day because we didn't have any "big" climbs...as we paid up for the lift and were adjusting our packs, an elderly woman was watching us. As we started to walk into the woods she leapt from her car, asked us if we were hiking the AT. I said yes a section. And with tears in her eyes she said, "its so nice to see a girl this age not glued to her phone and to see a mother & daughter spending time like this together, enjoy your journey together"...well I am a big baby, I said thank you, off we went, now I had tears in my eyes.

As we walked I thought, I AM lucky to have such an awesome kid, to have good health and to be out in this beautiful wilderness in our country.

Today I feel like we can make it to NOC...feeling inspired. A trail angel of inspiration sent us on our way today.

DAY 5 SUMMARY:
From/To: Hogpen Gap to Rocky Mtn. Trail (had to pit stop at Blue Mtn. shelter bc of severe thunder/lightening storm) 
15.2 miles (our longest day yet!)
Weather: Started sunny...then thunder/lightening...ended sunny. Often times we felt like we were in the jungle. 
Food: Well today we started with oatmeal, hoarded candy and feasted on a mountain house meal for dinner.
Water: Damon works for the military and gave us some electrolight powered. I think this helped us go so far especially in bad/jungle weather conditions.  
People we met: We met Grant, we saw him the day before but didn't catch his name. He told us of another hiker we met yesterday whom took out her shirt at camp and it was riddled with holes. Turns out she was hiking with a mouse in her pack! "Zipper up your tent" he advised us. Gross!! Milli and I snickered a little because when we get in our tent...we don't come out again until morning. Met a thru hiker completing his thru hike from last year because this section was shut down due to fires.
Highlights: Blue Mtn. Shelter...here is the scene --- we have been warned not to stay there bc of mice, we pull in because the rain was so bad we couldn't see, there were seven people and a dog already there. They nicely made room for us to sit. We grabbed tortillas out our bag to eat, took a seat, ate them and tried to get warm. Within minutes of finishing our tortillas there was talk of someone having "chiggers", someone else spearing a tick with a knife within six inches of where we sat, a lively comparison of the size of the shelter mice vs. rats and "said" trail magic at Unicoi Gap (candy bars, fuel, water and granola bars)! Well thats all it took for me...as soon as the rain let up enough for us to see 10 ft ahead, we ran!!! 
Musts: Know when to keep on truckin' !! :) and bring a waterproof case for your phone...
AND for all you northern folk here some info on--- chiggers  ... YUCK!
People we met: Grant

Mountain Crossings terrace

MC parking lot waiting for our ride

Not sure what this is...but we hope we don't see it on the trail!

Smiles and candy...ready to go!

Hmmm, I thought today was supposed to be "easier"...not!

Heard there was some trail magic at Unicoi Gap...cookies, raisins, fuel...

Clothing line, Eno disco lights, headlamp chandelier...home is where your heart is & our tent is our castle!

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 4

Day 4 you say???? How is this possible? Especially after last nights coyote carryings on...think yelps and yaps all night long, relatively close by.

Well as Milli laid awake all night, physically shaking at times, near tears, I was trying to hold it together...thank goodness I had cell service and thank goodness for google! I googled...will coyotes attack a campsite? How to fend off coyotes and what does it mean when coyotes yelp?

My gut said lets pack up our things, don our headlamps and keep moving...but it was 12am, we weren't going anywhere and who knows what the hell else would be out there at this time of night?

So Night 3 was spent sleepless...and Day 4 started with grumblings, doubts, talk of airlifts out and need for a bed, junk food and common creature comforts We broke camp and were on the trail by 8:00am!


DAY 4 SUMMARY:
Jarrard Gap to Hogpen Gap (via Neel Gap, slackpack)
12.9 miles
Big up Blood Mountain, highest we have climbed so far @ 4400ft.
Weather: Warmer than yesterday, more rain during the slack pack...poncho worthy
Food: We almost ran to Neel Gap and Mountain Crossings...our first hostel! Think bunks, shower, toilet and communal living...We feasted today on microwave chicken parm, ice cream, candy, soda and sandwiches! We felt like hiking queens! 
Water: We drank 2-3 liters of water again today. Every time we hear water...we our ears perk up...and if it's on the trail, we fill up(each)
People we met: Saw Bobby today
Highlights: Blood mountain, other people! A bunk bed, shower, food, hitch hiking, slack packing, cards with Damon and Joel, hikers box - drop off what you don't need and pick up something you might need...one mans trash is another man treasure...
Musts: mailed back 7lbs worth of stuff, think hat/gloves/fleeces/vests...donated peanut butter and fluff to hikers box!
People we met: MC peops: Carley, Bill, Mike Tyler - Met back up with Damon and his son Joel, the kids enjoyed commiserating! Met a Jennifer and her sister and Sarah (aka Bic) & Mu (drove us to Hogpen)

Trail name: this is a name hikers are given on the trail by other hikers. This is done for thru hikers not sure about section hikers...but Milli has been called a "trooper" by a few hikers...it may stick.

Slack Pack: when you hike from one point to another and your pack is at your destination. So we landed at MC at 12pm, no way we could stop at 12, so we ate, got settled in our bunks, unloaded stuff so it could dry, packed Milli's pack up and set off to hitch hike to hogpen back down to Neel Gap! 

Mountain Crossings Hostel: $18 per person includes shower and a towel. Full store of gear & food goodies. Will mail stuff back for you. Awesome, friendly people! Recommend!! 

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 3

DAY 3 SUMMARY:
Sassafras Mtn. to Jarrard Gap
15.2 miles
Lots of ups and downs - Probably traveled +/- 2500ft - Lowest point: 2600ft Highest point: 3200ft
Weather: Coolish, sheltered from direct sun traveling thru the "green tunnel", thats what they call the AT in GA at least...Rained for a bit... poncho worthy
Food: Because we ran out of water on sassafras, won't be doing that again...we stopped for breakfast, oatmeal and tea along side the Justus Creek, beautiful stop! Granola bars, sports jelly beans and jerky/cheese...
Water: we drank 2-3 liters of water today with crystal light--- delicious! (each)
People we met: Saw Bobby today
Highlights: Rock ledges, our first "trail magic" (this is when some angel puts something on the trail for hikers delight --- today it was water!, and coyotes (don't ask!) - night from hell! 
Must haves: handkerchief hanging off bag to wipe brow! before we left i downloaded guthook's hiking guide app and i waterproofed my antigravitygear.com AT1 & AT2 maps - before i left by placing three strips of clear packing tape on both sides of the maps and trimming off excess tape, highly recommend all three of these!!!!

Ok well we really pushed today. 15.2 miles. Lots of ups and downs but not as dramatic as the first two days. Its peaceful out here, you see one or two people a day. We started early, but it feels so wrong to set up camp after ten miles...we are averaging 1.5 miles an hour, depends on elevation. 

Still talk of shutting this down miles earlier than planned. I feel torn. One part of me feels like a failure if we stop early, the other part feels relieved because I am huffing and puffing and not sleeping so well. Every noise at night makes me reach for the mace...

Milli holding strong, our feet in good shape, we smell terribly, eating plan out the window. Cant wait to send a bunch of stuff home!!! Pack is really heavy. Milli and i sharing my pjs because she forgot hers...that needs to change.

Up and ready to hike...don't mind our clothes, we wear the same thing everyday! Every ounce counts!!

Perfect place for breakfast. Justus Creek

Big Cedar Mountain, Rock Ledges

Took a few pix here...mountains are gorgeous...feeling proud!

Hard to believe we are in our third day...and are still going

Trail magic! Grateful for every drop!!! Thank you

A little rain...lots of sunshine to dry us out! Mountains looking beautiful.

Entering in...not climbing today...thats for mañana!

Pack covers on...smiles on...keep on hiking girls!

We are here...