Heading into Tennessee

Hi all,

I have been on the trail 2 days since Hot Springs NC. Hot Springs is a REALLY SMALL town, but the hiker hotel did have cable and warm showers. Was nice to be in civilization again for a while. This area of the trail is really remote, not much between shelters. I am either ahead of the group or way behind because I haven't seen many people at the shelters. Kim asked if I see homesteads or farms like we do when we are hiking at home, not a one. The trail is not very well marked here, and there is not much to tell you where you are between shelters. So, I keep close to the shelter by shelter method. I woke up this morning to a very scenic view, and could see a large road in the distance. I now know this is I 26, caused I passed by on my way to my camping spot tonight. I have been on a steady climb, one that is constant wearing on your feet and mind. I started at Hot Springs 1326 ft and have been climbing steadily for the last three days to where I am now at Sams Gap 3800 ft. I went past the shelter to camp by a few miles to make tomorrow easier, I am going up Big Bald Mtn at 5516 ft, on my way to Erwin Tn. Erwin is about 20 miles away yet. I have a 7-8 mile climb tomorrow. UP UP and more UP. The weather has been rainy the last couple of days, but warm. Overall I am doing ok, feet are burning a bit, but I just have to rest more. The rest of me is holding up ok. It helps to be able to call out and talk to home. This area is REALLY BIG WOODS, so it is unlikely to run into many people. I have plenty of food and supplies are holding out ok. Bent my hiking pole to bits on a jagged rock yesterday, so will have to either use a big stick or get a new one as soon as I reach Erwin. Same rock that bit my heel. HA HA HA. Well a couple of pics to see where I am. Thanks for following. Night!

Hi all,
I will be close to Hot Springs, NC tomorrow, from my vantage point on Max Patch Mtn
I think I can see the outline of it. I have made it through the Great Smokey Mountain park and have just begin to hike the outer edges and am just west of Asheville NC. There were many mornings I saw why they call it the Smokeys. Everywhere else clear sky, but clouds that look like smoke rings around the mountains, and when you reach their summits the cloud is surrounding you as well. The weather has been beautiful and warm. Some cold nites up on the mountain tops but warm in the valleys. Clingmans dome still had some snow and ice, around the summit, We hitched a ride with a thru hikers husband, he is following her along in their pick-up, so at the Newfound Gap he offered to take us into Gatlinburg. There is an outfitters post there and he offers free showers. Had time to look around, have a diet coke with LOTS of ice, a good shower and rest my feet out of my boots. Picked up my food supply from the post office and then just rested and waited on the shuttle. Phone service was good, so I got to talk to home. That I think is the hardest part, not talking to home as much as i want. The shelters have been pretty full about, 10-11 of us each night. It' s good to spend time with people after hiking mostly in solitude all day. I have not seen any people for two days, Kim wants to know if I took a wrong turn, funny. I passed up the shelter I planned to stay at today and am hiking to the other, from the way it looks all the others have done the same, so I anticipate fellow hikers at the next one. This one is not very clean, and I dont want a bear to come visiting. SO, I press on its another 5-6 miles before I make it and it is 5:00 pm so hiking will be fast and forward. It is very cool all of the scenery, I just came through an area where you hiked the rim of the mountain so you could see for miles, lots of moutains and valleys, all showing the signs of spring color. Had service so I got to talk to Kim for a few minutes. I am getting all of the texts even if my phone is off, so you can send me a message, I like to read them when I turn on the phone. I am going into Hot springs for my food pickup, and I plan to have a good fast food meal and another diet coke. Too bad that doesn't come in freeze dried. Sleeping has been ok, I stay in my tent around the shelter, but havent had to spend the amount of time inside of it like before, been nice enough to sit out until sleep time. Usually really tired, so sleep comes fast. Starting to hear the night noises of the woods.
Nice lullaby.

More pics from Fontana Dam Blog

Sorry couldnt get video to load, I think it is too big. I'll have Kim send it out in email attatchments to you.
Bye!

Fontana Dam

Well I have started again and this time in much better weather, the days are to be in the 70's and no rain until next week. I have crossed over Fontana Dam, the largest TVA dam built, and it is massive, a beautiful resevoir behind it to enjoy. The Fontana Hilton is the shelter at the dam. It is called that because they have showers. Kim and I stayed at the Villages at Fontana Dam, a primo resort, cool cabins. A nice rest for weary hikers. I have a full days hike straight up today as I enter officially into the Smokeys. All registered in and such. There is not much ATT in this area so my blogs will be few and far between, Kim may write for me if I can reach her by verizon phone. Next time I see civilization will be at Newfound Gap, just after Clingmans' Dome. Hope to send more then. Meanwhile, here are some dam pictures he..he..he..., I have also included some pics and a short film from the NOC, whitewater area in the Natahala wilderness, that was in the Ga. Olympics. The trail crosses right over the bridge you'll see in the film. Good place to get some cold drinks, real food and rest with entertainment provided. There were some kayaks on the water when we were there. Thought it looked reallly fun. Notice the thruhikers airing out their feet as they watched, any excuse to get out of those boots. HAHAHA Thanks for following. More Later.

Hi Followers,

Getting ready to head out again to the point I left off. Hoping the weather and mother nature have done all that she can, and now we'll see spring. Hopefully, I can get into a rhythmn again quickly. Having those few weeks out here helped in preparing for this set off. Got a new alcohol stove, lighter and easier to get fuel. Made some weight adjustments in my pack and some pocket additions to reach things quicker. Fontana Dam weather looks good according to the forecast. Wish me luck.

North Carolina Pictures

Here I am with Fred the Photo fish at the Ga. /No. Carolina Border. As you can see Fred isn't moving much cause HE IS FROZEN! This tree is the most photographed tree on the trail, and I think you can see why, WAY COOL. It falls just at the state line of Ga. and No. Carolina. You can see that that fog and mist was starting to turn to ice at this point.

Pictures of the hike so far...

Here are some of the views from the camera, overlook my photography, I am still learning about this digital one. This is the trail going to Springer, as you can see there is still snow even then. I am at the top of Springer, with Fred the photo fish, my traveling companion, and the view from Springer. It was a great feeling to be underway. There are also pictures of the first camp ( and my new Yellow Tent) and the shelter that we stayed near by. A few scenic shots from the Woody Gap area and my trail friends setting up camp that first night.

From Hiawassee to Fontana Dam

Hi all followers!

I guess we will start by saying that as we were leaving from Plum Orchard Shelter to Muscrat Creek Shelter the weather played us a difficult hand, it was major cold, icy and miserable. When we crossed the state line from Ga to North Carolina, the fog cloud turned into freezing ice globs that fell on you, and was heavy enough to start bringing small branches down on your head. This only got better as it soon turned to snow. We thought we would leave all that stuff behind in GA., NOT! As we slept we awakened to another 4-6 inches of snow on top of the ice and on top of us. The next area we were to climb was called Standing Indian Mountain, and we pretty much climbed on our hands and knees, over the ice and under the branches and rhododendrons plants that are huge and everywhere, but are not good at standing up to snow. Standing Indian is at 5500 ft. and the snow was up to our hips. Makes for a long, long climb. We know why they call it Standing Indian, because the snow was so deep you couldn't sit your butt down, anywhere. Not only was it snowy, but it was cold, cold, cold. Fifteen degrees and that was in the daytime, as we crossed the summit. For those of you who know me, I HATE THE COLD!!!!!
Our next mountain was MT. Albert. This is at the foothills of the Great Smokey's in No. Carolina. It is also a rather large hill at 5250 ft. HA HA Just a straight up climb, rock scrambling, no switchback, hand over hand kinda climb. Boy, I was glad that I was going up and not coming down. We made it to the ranger observatory at the top of Mt. Albert, and for the first time in 6 days I was able to take out the camera for some pics. Till then , pics were nothing but fog and rain and snow. Couldn't see too far out and no spectacular scenic shots. Sorry.
I have referred to WE a couple of times, I have been hiking along with a group of people, who come and go at various points along the way. Everyone goes at their own pace, but often a few of us end up near the same shelters. I have met, STRIDER,an Alaska native, cold is no prob for him. Also, Soul Searcher, who is from KY, Switchback and Sometime who are both from Maine. Ghost from New Hampshire, Strings from No. Carolina called so because he carries a small travel guitar with him. Swift is a thru hiker from 2 years ago and is doing this again, he is from Maine as well. Interesting People all with the same passion to finish this goal.
We have made it to the Fontana Dam area and are faced with more difficult weather. Down in the lower elevations we are not too bad, Spring looks to be close. But, in the mountains another story is being written. Ice and snow have caused the hikers to not be able to progress further. The shelters are becoming full and people are having to camp outside around them. Those who don't want to, find a Hiker friendly hotel or Hostel but even these are becoming full as people who cant get home wait it out. In the Great Smokey's you are required to stay at or near a shelter to sign in so they can keep track of you. There are elevations to 6643 ft. ( Cling man Dome), and these are closed due to Ice and snow. They have roads in the park closed due to Trees being down and rock slides. The area is very dangerous, and they do not want a bunch of hikers being in trouble there. So... some people go home, some people wait it out, some go do other sections, others try to go as far as they can. I chose to do the first. I didn't want to get to a place I couldn't get away from, and waiting another 14 days at home seemed more comfortable than winter camping at its best. HA Ha. So, I called Kim, and she traveled to Franklin No. Carolina to meet with me where I could get a room. She had to travel through the Great Smokey Mountain Park to get to where I was at, so she did a little scouting for the conditions. It was deceivingly warm at the base, but Icy and Snowy up top. The water falls were running fast with melt off, and they were having to cut up trees and detour them through the park because of the tree falls from the ice. Rock falls had closed 2 roads and they were not allowing anyone on the road to Clingmans Dome, a 7 mi. journey from the highest place you could get to. In a couple of weeks I will be traveling back, if the weather still prevents me from going through the Great Smokey's I will have to decide to skip and come back to do later after Maine, where by I would start on the other side of the mountains in Va. I really want to do the end to end, so I'm going to give Mother Nature one more chance. Hopefully she will be kind to me then. Meanwhile, I have some pictures for you to see the beauty even in the snow, and the places we traveled. I will let everyone know when I am leaving again if I survive all the honey do lists Kim has for me. HA HA. Maybe the mountain and ice aren't so bad.....

Hi followers
The Sky's are opening up with all they can though . 3 days with no pictures.
Fog and clod es don't make very good photos.
Ok still having a good time !
Not much new to tell Mt up Mt down repeat till you get to where your
going . O did I tell you about the mud .
Making good time about 7to 12 mi a day it all depends on the Mt
up.

Blood Mountain

Well, The highest point in Ga. Blood Mountain is quite a climb. We had snow and Ice on the way down and rocky, rocky climbs, but made it to the top, unfortunately it is raining in a torrential downpour, and you could see nothing. On a clear day you are supposed to be able to see Atlanta. Not today. They call this mountain Blood mountain because of an Indian Battle that was so violent the blood of those killed ran down the mountain like streams. I am at Nell's gap tonight and will set up camp there, much warmer there than at the top of the mountain. The outfitter is near here and am going to get some gators and send some things home that I am not using. Need to lighten the load of all non essentials, to make room for junk food. HA Ha. Put in 12 miles today, so pretty tired. I am aiming for the next shelter for my next stop, so will have a full day ahead and of course, IT IS RAINING!!! Nothing like the Mud.

Having trouble getting phone service in the mountains, but I am alright, having a great time. There are some rugged climbs, lots of trees and more trees, New gear is working great, so camping part is fun. Meals are good but too filling, may have to cut down on noon meal. Pack travels well, and I have been doing alot of up one mountain and down the next, but not too bad yet. Traveling with some of the hikers from my group at the hostel, tonight hitching a ride into town for some city food, before we are too far away tomorrow. Missing family, only downside to whole thing. Listening to books at night, sun sets and rises early. Weather has been really nice today and all of the remnant snow has melted, and of course is now MUD. Seeing about getting some gators to keep the rocks out of my boots, while I am in town. Didn't think I needed them before, but I am tired of emptying pebbles out of my boots.

What a diffrence a week makes

Thought you might like to see what we faced a week ago. Here are a few pictures to tell the story, one day cold but sunny, next miserable and whew icy. Much better this week as you can see by the drive-in pics of Springer as we leave Dalton, Ga.

HI FOLLOWERS
HAS THIS BEEN ONE WILD WEEKEND. LETS JUST START WHERE I LEFT OFF.
JOE AND I STARTED UP THE MT. TO SPRINGER . THE DAY WAS GREAT NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY. THE HIKE WENT WELL BUT VERY TUFF 3000 FEET OF ELEVATION . THEN LATE THAT AFTER NOON THE TEMP DROPED FROM 35 TO 19 WITH A GAIL FORCE WIND. MY GEAR WAS NOT MADE FOR THIS KIND OF WEATHER. (I THOUGH I WAS GOING TO SHAKE MY SELF RIGHT OUT OF THE TENT)IT WAS MISERABLE.
THAT MORNING I TOLD JOE THAT I HAD MADE A ERROR and I HAD STARTED TO EARLY FOR THIS YEARS WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN YEARS PAST IT WAS A LITTLE WARMER. NOT THIS year.
SO WHILE JOE WAS STILL THERE AND HE COULD TAKE ME BACK TO DALLAS GA. THAT WHAT WE DID. WE BOTH CAME DOWN . AND NOW I PLAIN TO GIVE IT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND HEAD BACK .
THIS TRIP IS TO BE FUN AND ENJOY MOTHER NATURE NOT FIGHT HER LIKE SHE THE ENEMY.
THIS IS JUST A SMALL SET BACK.
TO DAY WHEN TRAVLING BACK THE WEATHER WAS AGAIN SNOWING. DALLAS SCHOOL CLOSED EARLY AND SPRINGER GOT 4 TO 6 INCHES OF NEW SNOW.DONT GO A WAY STAY TUNED FOR MORE ADVENTURE AS I HEAD OUT AGAIN!!!!

Hi to all followers, there has been a delay due to the freezing rain, snow, frigid cold ( 19') Spent one horrific nite in all of this and thought I could be in Indiana and enjoying this kind of weather!!!Plan on restarting in 2 weeks, I plan on enjoying mother nature not getting killed by her. Keep you posted on the specifics...

Hi followers
iam in Ga at last! First thing in the AM we take off to Springer Mt .
Right now I just hope I can sleep to nite. The nite time temp is in the low
30s day time temp is med 40s . Did I ever tell you how much I hate
being cold! Oh well . The next time I Tex I will be on the trail!!!

Hi blog followers
this is it . I will be heading south. I'll be staging in Dallas ga @ a family members house . Then on Saturday morring Joe trail name yet to be given will head up springer MT . Joe will go up the MT with me then return to the real world . I am packed and waiting .
This is going to be great!!! Ps my trail name is redhawk

Gear up date!!
I did another pack to day and everything fit. 4 days of food an all of those little things that you think you can't live with out.
Good job on this wet cold day. Now it's time for some foot ball on TV.

Hii followers
to day is day plus 34 to the trail head .I hope the weather is alot better on Feb 27 in GA.
Friday I got 2new books obout the trail that are 2010 eddion that will help plain the mail drops.
That is my plain for the day to work on the post offiic drop schidle.
()$@/;

HI TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS
TIME IS FLYING BY IT WILL SOON BE TIME TO HEAD SOUTH. MY GEAR IS COMMING TOGETHER NICELY . I GOT MY IPOD TOUCH LAST SUNDAY AND I HAVE ALOT OF GREAT MUSIC LOADED AND I AM WORKING ON GETTING SOME BOOKES DOWN LOADED NEXT. IN THE PAST I WOULD HAVE TO LUG A TAPE PLAYER WITH TAPES A BOOK OR MAGAZINE ALL OF WHICH WERE VERY HEAVY AND WOULD TAKE UP A LOT OF SPACE. NOW WITH MY IPHONE AND IPOD ILL LET THE HI TECH WORLD OF APPLE DO MY ENTERTAINMENT

Hi to everyone
everything is coming together .I hope to make a final pack this weekend. That will leave planning the mail drops for food and stuff .
So far so good I am very excised And hopeful that every thing gear wise will work out.

Hi to all just practicing

Still working on it

Hi every one still working on the new blob

trying to post pic it worked from computer... now on to phone

It works

tested and approved now to see how to add pics.... this could be easier than i thought

The Beginning

Just started my blog to test this out........57 day till the go date.... getting ready almost