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...

Appalachian Trail - Section Hike 1 --- Day 2

Well, we are alive, our legs and feet are in good working order. Tent still up and secure, no rain yet...

So now Milli has to use the PRIVY! Wake up call #1...upon her return she informed me she will wait, there was a spider and a few ants in the area which deterred her...shhh, wait till when? There is no indoor plumbing for days...

A little breakfast, discussion about how far and where we are heading, what stops and sights we want to see along the way...

We made oatmeal for breakfast and I made peanut butter fluff sandwiches for our lunch stop. Wont be doing either again...note to self, eat where there is a water source to wash out bowls and remember things can explode after being pressurized (think peanut butter eruption...ugh!), boy did the bugs love that.

While we were hiking today, I must admit, I don't think I am going to make it to our final NOC destination. Although I thought I was in shape...and trained, and lightened my pack as much as possible, I am tired and nervous. Shhh, don't tell Milli! 

DAY 2 SUMMARY:
Black Gap Shelter to Sassafras Mtn.
12.6 miles
Lots of ups and downs - Lowest point: 2500ft Highest point: 3700ft
Rain held out, just a sprinkle, not even poncho worthy
Food: Oatmeal, tea, granola bars, jelly beans, peanut butter/fluff, ramen noodles
Water: we drank 2-3 liters of water today (each)
People we met: Isabella, Bobby
Highlights: Springer Mtn./AT Start, Long Creek Trail/Falls (follow blue blaze off Three Forks) - worth the stop! Hike up the Falls a bit too
Lesson learned: When you come across water, fill up!

Breakfast...oatmeal & tea, very civilized

Uh oh, is this trail going to be another Inca trail...miles of STEPS?!?! 

Barely makin' it! Hot flashes and stairs...perfect combo! :)  

YAY!!! We made it to the START of the AT...hikers that don't do the Approach Trail, start at Springer and have to hike back to this point .9 miles... 

The white blaze, our friend, our guide, our beacon for the next 14 days!

This way and that way...NOBO and SOBO... we are NOBO section hikers!

A beautiful crossing within the green tunnel!

A PRIVY looking pretty good now huh Milli????? 

Long Creek Trail, take the side trail, well worth the visit! A little food, water and a nap for mama!

Field of flowers, we like to take all the off shoots on the trail, just to see what we can see!

Tent up, dinner served! Happy campers...we shall see...this is tougher than I  had imagined. Talk of shaving miles off ... maybe Franklin as our final destination? 

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

And off we go! 

Early flights from White Plains to Atlanta! 

I am thankful to all those AT section/thru hikers who have shared their trail wisdom via blogs, books, emails, in person and over the phone! 

I mentioned to a few that I may be a bit more amped up for this trip because I have my daughter traveling with me. The hiking mama in me wants to provide food, safety and shelter without incident...

I mailed out our drop box: (here's what the really nice postman in Hiawassee told me to do)

c/o General Delivery
Please hold for AT hiker Jeanine Behr, ETA 6/16
118 Main Street
Hiawassee, GA 30546

Our bags have gotten only slightly heavier, added about 2 lbs. to each bag...but true test will come at the airport...

Now the wrapping of the bags for our flight!

How to get to the Approach Trail trailhead...

*Flying direct from NY to Atlanta (Delta flights $160 ea + $25ea for bags)
Wearing one set of our hiking clothes and our camp shoes on the plane
*Taking the MARTA to North Springs, last stop on the red line ($2.50 ea)
*Calling an Uber car to get from North Springs to Danlonega, GA ($80)
*Overnight at the Hiker Hostel (Private room $45, breakfast included)
Some people start at Springer Mtn. some chose Amicalola Falls t hike the approach trail. Without fail, we are choosing AF! All up hill and further away from the hostel! :)
*Calling Uber car to get from Dahlonega to Amicalola Falls, approach trailhead. 

CHANGE OF PLANS! 

Well we landed early, our bags were waiting, our check in at HH wasn't until 3pm, we would have to taxi to and from HH for meals and to and from airport to trailhead... and...and...so...no time like the present to start our adventure. #flylandhike

We called Uber, our driver Brian rocked! He made pit stops at McDonalds (Milli's "last supper"), Starbucks (mommy thinking last soy cappuccino) and Walmart (for Jetboil fuel & a mountain house or two...maybe some candy took :)) and then we were off to start the trail at Amicalola Falls, GA.

We finally started our first steps by 2:30pm...the Approach Trail is no joke! If you make it up the 700+ steep stairs, especially in 85degree direct sun, I promise the rest of the trail will be pure heaven! P.S. - there are benches to take a break on...I stopped almost every bench, nearly threw up twice...and wanted to throw my pack over the Falls once we finally reached the top!! Oh boy...

But Milli was at my wings, cheering me on! Oh to be young... :)

FYI - Amicalola Falls --- 
Amicalola means tumbling water
The Cherokees occupied this area until the Trail of Tears/Treaty of New Echota forced them to move to the Ozarks
Highest water fall in Georgia (729 feet)

Well I now know why Stephen Katz (from Bill Bryson's book) was throwing everything out of his pack on the Approach Trail! We only made it 7.3 miles the first day, it seemed like 27 and my pack felt like 50lbs. AND we are not even off the approach trail! 
Pulled up to Black Gap Shelter, because they had a "privy". 
Whats a privy? Well Milli was wondering the same...think outhouse...with no door...
We were greeted by a friendly group of camping dads with three kids out for a night, equipped with hammocks, tents, fire and food. We searched for a tent spot, first attempt yielded some angry yellow jackets...we laid out the tent over a few of their holes...they were mad! 
Tent up, secure, mosquitoes starting to come out...no bugs in the tent, VICTORY! No I had to feed my kid, crossed eyed, we gobbled down a turkey jerky & cheese sandwich, we (or at least I was) were so gassed. 

Let our journey begin! Only 156 more miles to go! How is that going to happen? I hope I can walk in the morning...

DAY 1 SUMMARY:
Amicalola Falls/AT Approach Trail to Black Gap Shelter 
7.3 miles
Lots of up - Lowest point: 1800ft Highest point: 3300ft
Sunny
Food: McD's, Starbucks, granola bars, jelly beans, turkey jerky/cheese/tortilla
Water: We drank 1-2 liters of water today (each)
People we met: Damon & Joel (father/son)
Highlights: Amicalola Falls and the never ending Approach Trail...

UBER from North Springs to the Approach Trail (Amicalola Falls) ! 

Our future forecast...rain rain stay away! 

Packed up and ready to fly...

Both packs coming in at 55 lbs.!!! 

Fly, land & hike...thats the way to start the AT!

How many more +*%&#$@ steps??? Am I going to make this trip? 

First 425 steps...next 178 steps more....... UGH!

We made it to the top of the Falls...still miles away from the  AT!!!

Still not to the AT yet...???

The Approach Trail...why did we do it? Because I wanted to be an AT purist...but it almost sent me home in tears...

Ok already, I get it, I am exhausted and still have MILES to go... :) 

Tent up, we are smiling...can you tell my eyes are crossed?

Dinner...