Hiking Mama

Monday, June 25, 2018

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 13

Sassafras Gap to Yellow Creek Mtn. Road
14 miles
Surprise, surprise...rain...
100% love Lonnie @ Stecoah Wolf Creek Hostel
To put life in perspective - when we arrived at the hostel my 13 year old thought it was a castle!!!

More trail magic - the man that owns riverside barber shop bought us dinner!!!!

Appalachian Trail --- Section Hike 1 --- Day 12

The Jump Off to Sassafras Gap
11 miles
Big day!!!
3000 feet down then 3000 feet back up
Highlights -
Nantahala Outdoor Center ... candy reload
Walking through the devastated remains of December 2016 forest fires
And...more rain!!!

Appalachian Trail --- Section Hike 1 --- Day 11

Wayah Gap Road to The Jumpoff
17.3 miles

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Appalachian Trail --- Section Hike 1 --- Day 10

Day 10
Glassmine Gap to Wayah Gap Road
12.4 miles

We are a bit weary, self admittedly, at least I am.

Lots of elevation ups and downs.

Someone up there must have known our spirits were trailing...

There is nothing better than an act of kindness...Trail angel and trail magic from David Waters was a welcomed surprise as we sat by the road for a break.

Two oranges.

May not sound like much to you, but to us these oranges symbolized hope, kindness, care, fresh food, thirst quenching goodness, we didn't lick the juices running down our arms...but we could have!

If you ever get inspired to pick up an AT hiker, leave some sodas or food or even take them to dinner...thank you! Its hard to convey the deepest gratitude we experience.

Siler Bald is a bit of a side trip up...but worth it! The views were amazing.

On another note...stay in your tent, a shelter or a reputable motel/hotel in Wayah Gap surrounds...we were traumatized at the end of the day here...

I purposely left out a piece of this experience for fear of retribution. But I will leave it at this, ONLY stay at motels/hotels in this area if you need to take a break. I feel like this area exploited the hikers. Over priced dinner, we were left at the side of the road for two hours in pouring rain waiting for paid ride into town to show...the list goes on.

Our worst experience on the trail by far! We were thinking of taking a zero day, but were so freaked out, we got up and ran out the next day. Ran is an overstatement, had to pay $80 to get a ride back to the trail and get the hell out of there.

YUCK! Don't stop here, period.

Run past this stop...we couldn't get out of this town and the people fast enough...

Siler Bald, amazing views in between the rain drops

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Trail angel laying some fresh oranges on us...in a moment a need!

Left for two hours...waiting for our "ride"...this is right before the 1.5 hours of deluge we waited through... :(

Appalachian Trail --- Section Hike 1 --- Day 9

Day 9

Standing Indian Summit to Glassmine Gap
15.5 miles
Today marks our 100th mile!

Well who said popping a tent on the top of a bald with no protection was a good idea??? We were wondering why the other campers were off to the side snuggled into the woods...we thought we scored the ultimate sunset views...little did we know that we would hardly (or at least I would hardly) sleep a wink because the winds were so forceful at any given moment i thought the tent would upstate itself and take flight...with that said though the morning sunrise was just as stunning as the sunset. Full confession, I may do the same thing all over again.

Although its rained everyday the views we do sneak are awing. The fact that this is all in our great country makes one humble.

Happy Father's Day to Roberto and all Dad's out there.

We were fast on the move today. Didn't stop for breakfast until 5 miles in. My eyes, I know I keep complaining, but...are almost officially closed, damn sodium!

The scramble up Albert Mountain was challenging, then topping off was the climb up the fire tower. The history, the winds, the views...the rain. :) All worth it. As you can see from the smiles on our faces.

Getting water

Fire Tower

Another day comes to an end...keep on smiling girls!

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

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...