Day 18, Wed 2 Apr
Start Moreland Gap
End Dick's Creeks Gap/Hiawassee, GA
Hiked 1 mile to gap and hitched a ride into Hiawassee
Day 19-Day 20, Thurs 3 Apr - Fri 4 Apr
Mom has done something to her right ankle and she is experiencing pain when she walks on it, so we are taking some zero days. Lots of Epsom Salt soaks, ice and ibuprofen.
Post War Hike - Combat Vet and Mom on the Trail of Life
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Day 15-17
Day 15, Sun 30 March 2014
Start Unicoi Gap, 0930
End Tray Mountain Shelter, 1630, 5.7 miles
What a day, Georgia mountains suck. Today we conqured Rocky Mountain (4014ft) and Tray Mountain (4430ft). They really worked us over. We are getting better, today we did 2 mountains back to back before we were beat, when one used to do us in. Winds were insane today, 50 mph gusts. According to the weatherman, the winds were supposed to end at 1800, however, they howled until 0600 Monday morning. Only 20 more miles of GA left.
Day 16, Monday 31 March 2014
Start Tray Mountain shelter, 1115
End Sassafrass Gap, 1630, 4.7 miles
Today our feet were hurting so we stopped at Sassafrass Gap. Turned out to be a good thing, as we met Travis, former 1st BN Ranger, rocking his ranger panties. Whoohoo, eyecandy on the trail, TRAIL MAGIC!! Travis is hiking in memory of a ranger buddy he lost in January. We had a great time swapping stories all evening and shared some Jack. He coined me and lucky me I brought my Secretary of Defense Hagel coin with me, so Travis owes me some Jack!!
Day 17, Tuesday 1 April 2014
Start Sassafrass Gap, 1030,
End Moreland Gap, 1730, 5.3 miles
Attention on the AT, Kelly Knob is not a knob. It is a ball-busting pain in the feet mountain, and it kicked our butts. Kelly Knob was a 800 ft straight up climb. Trail Angel Tater, was just short of the summit handing out cold sodas. Tater rocked...it was just the pick me up we needed. Our feet gave us both fits all day. Hendo is swapping out dry socks throughout the day to see if it helps any, as well as experimenting with various boot tying techniques. Mom's shoulder was killing her yesterday, but today feels fine, however, her feet are giving her fits today. some irritating swarming bugs have come out now that the weather is nice. It has been cool last night and tonight, but it was warm enough yesterday and today that we have been sporting our Stop Soldier Suicide t-shirts!!! Hendo is having her 5-finger shoes sent to her to see if they help with her foot pain. Several other people have used them periodically on the trail and recommend I try them. Also, product review..Bridgedale socks suck!!!! Mom accidentally, over cooked one pair of my Smartwool socks while trying to dry them in the oven at Blood Mtn Cabins. So I got a replacement pair of Bridgedale socks at the local shop, no where near as good as Smartwool. Working on getting a pair of smartwool so I can swap out socks during the day. it is a nightly ritual for us now to go to sleep with our feet elevated on our backpacks, a great help!!!! Tonight is ending with a double dose of ibuprofen...miss you all. 10 miles left in Georgia!!!!!
Start Unicoi Gap, 0930
End Tray Mountain Shelter, 1630, 5.7 miles
What a day, Georgia mountains suck. Today we conqured Rocky Mountain (4014ft) and Tray Mountain (4430ft). They really worked us over. We are getting better, today we did 2 mountains back to back before we were beat, when one used to do us in. Winds were insane today, 50 mph gusts. According to the weatherman, the winds were supposed to end at 1800, however, they howled until 0600 Monday morning. Only 20 more miles of GA left.
View from on top Tray Mtn
A luxury on the AT, a privy at a shelter location. This one is at the Tray Mtn Shelter where we camped.
Inside of privy. They are special composting type privys so they are elevated, you toss in a handful of wood chips from the bucket after doing your business.
Hendo hiking on way to Tray Mtn shelter. Sun has finally come out and it was warm enough to sport Stop Soldier Suicide tshirts.
Anyone know what type of bug this is? We have seen them all along the way. They are super bright red.
Day 16, Monday 31 March 2014
Start Tray Mountain shelter, 1115
End Sassafrass Gap, 1630, 4.7 miles
Today our feet were hurting so we stopped at Sassafrass Gap. Turned out to be a good thing, as we met Travis, former 1st BN Ranger, rocking his ranger panties. Whoohoo, eyecandy on the trail, TRAIL MAGIC!! Travis is hiking in memory of a ranger buddy he lost in January. We had a great time swapping stories all evening and shared some Jack. He coined me and lucky me I brought my Secretary of Defense Hagel coin with me, so Travis owes me some Jack!!
Day 17, Tuesday 1 April 2014
Start Sassafrass Gap, 1030,
End Moreland Gap, 1730, 5.3 miles
Attention on the AT, Kelly Knob is not a knob. It is a ball-busting pain in the feet mountain, and it kicked our butts. Kelly Knob was a 800 ft straight up climb. Trail Angel Tater, was just short of the summit handing out cold sodas. Tater rocked...it was just the pick me up we needed. Our feet gave us both fits all day. Hendo is swapping out dry socks throughout the day to see if it helps any, as well as experimenting with various boot tying techniques. Mom's shoulder was killing her yesterday, but today feels fine, however, her feet are giving her fits today. some irritating swarming bugs have come out now that the weather is nice. It has been cool last night and tonight, but it was warm enough yesterday and today that we have been sporting our Stop Soldier Suicide t-shirts!!! Hendo is having her 5-finger shoes sent to her to see if they help with her foot pain. Several other people have used them periodically on the trail and recommend I try them. Also, product review..Bridgedale socks suck!!!! Mom accidentally, over cooked one pair of my Smartwool socks while trying to dry them in the oven at Blood Mtn Cabins. So I got a replacement pair of Bridgedale socks at the local shop, no where near as good as Smartwool. Working on getting a pair of smartwool so I can swap out socks during the day. it is a nightly ritual for us now to go to sleep with our feet elevated on our backpacks, a great help!!!! Tonight is ending with a double dose of ibuprofen...miss you all. 10 miles left in Georgia!!!!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Grey Group ROCKS!!!!
So here I am hiking the AT and my mom, trying to be helpful, accidentally over cooked a pair of my SmartWool socks in the oven at the Blood Mtn Cabins. I bought a pair of Bridgedale socks at the Neel Gap store, but they are crap.
I purchased my beloved SmartWools at Grey Group on Reilly Rd in Fayetteville, NC and have not been able to find the same ones out here on the trail. I texted my best friend Ross and he got me the phone number for Grey Group. I called them today and the sales associate gladly looked up my previous sock purchase. They have a pair in stock and gladly put them in the mail. So when we get to Franklin, NC in a few days my smartwools will be waiting. Yay, Grey Group!!! Thank you so much for your support. If you are in need of quality military and outdoor gear check out Grey Group!!!!
I purchased my beloved SmartWools at Grey Group on Reilly Rd in Fayetteville, NC and have not been able to find the same ones out here on the trail. I texted my best friend Ross and he got me the phone number for Grey Group. I called them today and the sales associate gladly looked up my previous sock purchase. They have a pair in stock and gladly put them in the mail. So when we get to Franklin, NC in a few days my smartwools will be waiting. Yay, Grey Group!!! Thank you so much for your support. If you are in need of quality military and outdoor gear check out Grey Group!!!!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Battle Scars
Hendo's mom got a hot spot on the inside of her left ankle, the tape she used to tape some gauze over the hot spot caused a sore on the front of her ankle. They are both healing now. Scrape on her knee from a tree log she had to climb over
Hendo's bruise on her right forearm from hitting the tree after falling down the mountian.
Hendo's bruise on her right forearm from hitting the tree after falling down the mountian.
Day 14 - Zero Day
Hendo was really hurting after her fall off the mountain yesterday and it rained all day, so we took a zero day. Lots of sleep, ice and ibuprofen. Back on the trail tomorrow.
Hendo's head and chest cold are gone. Mom has been well. We can tell that we are starting to get our mountain legs and are in better shape than when we started.
Hendo's head and chest cold are gone. Mom has been well. We can tell that we are starting to get our mountain legs and are in better shape than when we started.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Day 9 - Day 13
Day 9, mon 24 march
Start neel gap, 1130
End gap just south of tesnatee gap, 5.5 miles, 1730
Feet sore, couldn't go further, made our own campsite, got snowed on 1/2 in,heard owl, got buzzed by c130
----------------------------------------
Day 10, tues 25 march
Start south os tesnatee gap, 1030
End low gap shelter, 6 miles, 1630
Woke up to ice and snow on tent. Packed up and got to hiking, ate on the go. Very windy. Trail magic/trail angels were waiting at tesnatee gap with snacks and hot coffee, king tut and jay. Just what we needed. wind was crazy strong out of west, got snowed on second half of day. Hendo's feet numb and sore at end of day, but ankles feel better. Hendo and hendos mom both like new boot inserts. Freezing cold,wind is insane.
--------------------------------------------
Day 11, wed 26 mar
Start low gap shelter, 1015
End just south blue mtn shelter, 1615, 7 miles
Got snowed on last night, was freezing cold, coldest night yet. Started rather easy, last 2 miles of boulder slide killer, camped with Mother Nature and Smokestack. Chilly all day and sunny, no blisters feet tired body achey ready for zero day.
--------------------------------------------
Day 12, thurs 27 mar
Zero day. We spent the day at our campsite near blue mtn shelter. We slept, read, went and got water, ate some, that was it, lotsa notta. A great zero day.
---------------------------------------------
Day 13, Fri 28 Mar
Start south of blue mtn shelter, 1015
End Unicoi Gap, 3 miles
Rained all night and was raining when we originally woke up at 0600, so we slept in until 0900 when the rain stopped. Packed up enerything and headed to Unicoi Gap. Our plan was to get to Unicoi Gap, get a ride into Hiawassee, GA to resupply and get a ride back to the trail and camp on the trail. However, Hendo had a slight mis-hap and plans changed. On the last descent into Unicoi Gap, Hendo's Mom was well out in front of Hendo as usual. The entire hike had been tricky as it was rainy, foggy, muddy and slick. I was about as graceful as a water buffalo on ice skates. Mom was well out of sight when I stepped down along the trail, slipped in the mud and fell off the trail, rolling down the mountain 20 feet, finally being stopped by a tree. I laid there for a minute, I had knocked the wind out of myself, hyper-extended the fingers on my right hand, bruised my right forearm, twisted my left ankle and bent one of my hiking poles. All this time, mom was enjoying trail magic in the unicoi gap parking lot, hamburgers and hot coffee. I am ok, just a little beat up. We decided to get a hotel for the night in Helen, GA. So we have resupplied on food, had great mexican food for dinner and
are bedded down in the Super 8 Motel for the night. The motel offers a great hiker rate of $35/night. Oh, and had a good dose of Jack Daniels and ibuprofen.
Start neel gap, 1130
End gap just south of tesnatee gap, 5.5 miles, 1730
Feet sore, couldn't go further, made our own campsite, got snowed on 1/2 in,heard owl, got buzzed by c130
View from cowrock mountain
Getting water from a spring along the way
Filtering through shirt to filter out sand/dirt
Sterilizing water with SteriPen
----------------------------------------
Day 10, tues 25 march
Start south os tesnatee gap, 1030
End low gap shelter, 6 miles, 1630
Woke up to ice and snow on tent. Packed up and got to hiking, ate on the go. Very windy. Trail magic/trail angels were waiting at tesnatee gap with snacks and hot coffee, king tut and jay. Just what we needed. wind was crazy strong out of west, got snowed on second half of day. Hendo's feet numb and sore at end of day, but ankles feel better. Hendo and hendos mom both like new boot inserts. Freezing cold,wind is insane.
Campsite near tetanee gap, snow on tent in morning
Trail Angels King Tut and Jay at Tesnatee Gap with hot coffee and snacks
Hiking in the snow and wind storm
Day 11, wed 26 mar
Start low gap shelter, 1015
End just south blue mtn shelter, 1615, 7 miles
Got snowed on last night, was freezing cold, coldest night yet. Started rather easy, last 2 miles of boulder slide killer, camped with Mother Nature and Smokestack. Chilly all day and sunny, no blisters feet tired body achey ready for zero day.
We call these Ice Anemone...cool ice crystals along the trail to Blue Mountain
Hendo's Mom by frozen waterfall on trail to Blue Mtn
Boulder field just south of Blue Mtn campsite...killer traversing.
Blue Mtn campsite
--------------------------------------------
Day 12, thurs 27 mar
Zero day. We spent the day at our campsite near blue mtn shelter. We slept, read, went and got water, ate some, that was it, lotsa notta. A great zero day.
Sky watching on zero day
Hendo's Mom relaxing in tent on zero day
---------------------------------------------
Day 13, Fri 28 Mar
Start south of blue mtn shelter, 1015
End Unicoi Gap, 3 miles
Rained all night and was raining when we originally woke up at 0600, so we slept in until 0900 when the rain stopped. Packed up enerything and headed to Unicoi Gap. Our plan was to get to Unicoi Gap, get a ride into Hiawassee, GA to resupply and get a ride back to the trail and camp on the trail. However, Hendo had a slight mis-hap and plans changed. On the last descent into Unicoi Gap, Hendo's Mom was well out in front of Hendo as usual. The entire hike had been tricky as it was rainy, foggy, muddy and slick. I was about as graceful as a water buffalo on ice skates. Mom was well out of sight when I stepped down along the trail, slipped in the mud and fell off the trail, rolling down the mountain 20 feet, finally being stopped by a tree. I laid there for a minute, I had knocked the wind out of myself, hyper-extended the fingers on my right hand, bruised my right forearm, twisted my left ankle and bent one of my hiking poles. All this time, mom was enjoying trail magic in the unicoi gap parking lot, hamburgers and hot coffee. I am ok, just a little beat up. We decided to get a hotel for the night in Helen, GA. So we have resupplied on food, had great mexican food for dinner and
are bedded down in the Super 8 Motel for the night. The motel offers a great hiker rate of $35/night. Oh, and had a good dose of Jack Daniels and ibuprofen.
Hendo's Mom hiking in thick fog and rain to Unicoi Gap.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Day 7 Woody Gap - Day 8 Neel Gap
Day 7, Saturday 22 March 2014
Start Woody Gap, 0900
End Lance Creek, 3.3 miles, 1130
Back on the trail today after a day of rest. We had to stop at Lance Creek, because bear canisters are required for anyone overnighting between the next stop, Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap. We spent the afternoon napping and reading the Nook.
Day 8, Sunday 23 March 2014
Start Lance Creek, 0753
End Neel Gap, 7.4 miles, 1530
Oh shit son...today it was on like Donkey Kong. Our longest day yet, AND it was up and over the highest point on the AT in Georgia, Blood Mountain. RANGER, the lock-step is the preferred method for ascending steep terrain. And Ranger on we did, lock-stepping it all the way to the top. However, uphills are not the worst, downhills are. We made it to Neel Gap and the awesome store and made some adjustments/purchases. Mom and I have purchased SuperFeet insoles, these should help our ankle pain. I purchased two waterproof compression bags as the ziploc bags I was using wasn't cutting it. We also got a light weight waterproof bag for the camera to replace the bulky pelican case we had and mom needed a new headlamp. We donated a few unwanted food items to the hiker box and also mailed a few items not wanted home. We are staying at the Blood Mountain Cabins tonight, the weather is crappy and we are beat up. We got to shower tonight and completed our now nightly routine of ankle rotations, foot massage and foot elevation. We will be back at it tomorrow
Start Woody Gap, 0900
End Lance Creek, 3.3 miles, 1130
Back on the trail today after a day of rest. We had to stop at Lance Creek, because bear canisters are required for anyone overnighting between the next stop, Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap. We spent the afternoon napping and reading the Nook.
Hendo's Mom & Hendo on Preaching Rock
Hendo's Mom on Preaching Rock
Hendo on Preaching Rock
Campsite at Lance Creek
Day 8, Sunday 23 March 2014
Start Lance Creek, 0753
End Neel Gap, 7.4 miles, 1530
Oh shit son...today it was on like Donkey Kong. Our longest day yet, AND it was up and over the highest point on the AT in Georgia, Blood Mountain. RANGER, the lock-step is the preferred method for ascending steep terrain. And Ranger on we did, lock-stepping it all the way to the top. However, uphills are not the worst, downhills are. We made it to Neel Gap and the awesome store and made some adjustments/purchases. Mom and I have purchased SuperFeet insoles, these should help our ankle pain. I purchased two waterproof compression bags as the ziploc bags I was using wasn't cutting it. We also got a light weight waterproof bag for the camera to replace the bulky pelican case we had and mom needed a new headlamp. We donated a few unwanted food items to the hiker box and also mailed a few items not wanted home. We are staying at the Blood Mountain Cabins tonight, the weather is crappy and we are beat up. We got to shower tonight and completed our now nightly routine of ankle rotations, foot massage and foot elevation. We will be back at it tomorrow
Hendo & Hendo's Mom on top of Blood Mtn
White blazes mark AT down from Blood Mtn
Boot Tree at Neel Gap
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)