Zero Mile Day!
Had a lovely Zero Day in Hot Springs, NC, population 643 – no kidding. This is a very small town, but it’s very compact, the A.T. literally runs right down Main Street, and it has everything a hiker needs:
Places to stay (albeit not very Fancy, in fact Motel 6 would put them to shame), places to eat (cheap and good), a laundromat, an ice cream shop (yummy!), a Post Office, and a really good outfitter.
It also had some very quaint homes and business which I took pictures of during my self-guided walking tour. I felt really lousy when I woke up this morning, but after a day of relaxation, no hiking, lots of food, I feel much better. I’ll get a fresh start tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April 15, 2008: Walnut Mountain Shelter to Hot Springs, NC
Miles Hiked: 13.1
Total Miles: 270.7
Well, as one could imagine, it was hard to get going in the morning after no sleep and in 26 degree temperatures. I drank a lukewarm cup of coffee, ate a couple of handfuls of trail mix, and it took what seemed like forever to get packed up and on the trail. I think it was actually about 9:00 a.m. when I started walking.
Another half-marathon day and I got to Hot Springs at almost exactly 5:00 pm. Given that I felt like a sleep-walking zombie with aching feet, not bad. No real highlights to report, but I was so tired, hungry, and hurting, I probably would have overlooked the second coming of Jesus Christ unless it happened 3 feet or less in front of me on the trail.
The first thing on the road when I got to town was a Dollar General Store. Since every article of clothing in my possession was filthy and stinky from 10 days on the trail, I promptly went in the Dollar General, and for $26.00, purchased a t-shirt, socks, underwear, and jeans. I wore my new town clothes to dinner that night and the next day, until I was able to do laundry. I then mailed my new “town clothes” on to my next stop in Erwin, TN where I will use them again.
Total Miles: 270.7
Well, as one could imagine, it was hard to get going in the morning after no sleep and in 26 degree temperatures. I drank a lukewarm cup of coffee, ate a couple of handfuls of trail mix, and it took what seemed like forever to get packed up and on the trail. I think it was actually about 9:00 a.m. when I started walking.
Another half-marathon day and I got to Hot Springs at almost exactly 5:00 pm. Given that I felt like a sleep-walking zombie with aching feet, not bad. No real highlights to report, but I was so tired, hungry, and hurting, I probably would have overlooked the second coming of Jesus Christ unless it happened 3 feet or less in front of me on the trail.
The first thing on the road when I got to town was a Dollar General Store. Since every article of clothing in my possession was filthy and stinky from 10 days on the trail, I promptly went in the Dollar General, and for $26.00, purchased a t-shirt, socks, underwear, and jeans. I wore my new town clothes to dinner that night and the next day, until I was able to do laundry. I then mailed my new “town clothes” on to my next stop in Erwin, TN where I will use them again.
April 14, 2008: Groundhog Creek Shelter to Walnut Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles Hiked: 13.1
Total Miles: 257.6
A cold, windy, snowy, late winter day today. L long half-marathon trudge.
It was necessary to do this long day in order to make it to Hot Springs the following day. And, I wanted that quite badly have not been to town for nearly 10 days now.
The high point of the day, literally and figuratively, was Max Patch. Max Patch is a huge bald of over 300 acres atop a 4,300 foot mountain. Even in the snow, the views were stunning.
This evening at Walnut Mountain was the night of the Famed “Bear Attack”. But I have already posted the complete details of this horrific event. So, I will not repeat myself here.
Total Miles: 257.6
A cold, windy, snowy, late winter day today. L long half-marathon trudge.
It was necessary to do this long day in order to make it to Hot Springs the following day. And, I wanted that quite badly have not been to town for nearly 10 days now.
The high point of the day, literally and figuratively, was Max Patch. Max Patch is a huge bald of over 300 acres atop a 4,300 foot mountain. Even in the snow, the views were stunning.
This evening at Walnut Mountain was the night of the Famed “Bear Attack”. But I have already posted the complete details of this horrific event. So, I will not repeat myself here.
April 13, 2008: Standing Bear Farm, Hartford, TN to Groundhog Creek Shelter, TN
Miles Hiked: 7.2
Total Miles: 244.5
Had a really good nights sleep in the bunkhouse at the Standing Bear Farm. Had thought about taking a zero day, but felt so good that I decided instead to take a late start from the Farm (left about 11:00 a.m.) and just hike a few miles.
So, I just went 7.2 miles to the first shelter at Ground Hog Creek. There I met up with Willow, Gentleman Jack, and Southpaw, who I would hike with for the next several days.
It was the usual tough uphill slug out of a low re-supply point – about a 2,5000 foot uphill climb for the day. No rain or snow, just kind of gray today.
This evening Jack and Willow tented leaving only me and Southpaw in the shelter. Turns out he’s a retired Navy E8, about 6 or 7 years older than me. Just old enough to have served in Vietnam, on the river boats no less: ala “Apocalypse Now!”, and is still somewhat haunted by the experience. It was a good man-to-man, heart-to-heart talk.
Total Miles: 244.5
Had a really good nights sleep in the bunkhouse at the Standing Bear Farm. Had thought about taking a zero day, but felt so good that I decided instead to take a late start from the Farm (left about 11:00 a.m.) and just hike a few miles.
So, I just went 7.2 miles to the first shelter at Ground Hog Creek. There I met up with Willow, Gentleman Jack, and Southpaw, who I would hike with for the next several days.
It was the usual tough uphill slug out of a low re-supply point – about a 2,5000 foot uphill climb for the day. No rain or snow, just kind of gray today.
This evening Jack and Willow tented leaving only me and Southpaw in the shelter. Turns out he’s a retired Navy E8, about 6 or 7 years older than me. Just old enough to have served in Vietnam, on the river boats no less: ala “Apocalypse Now!”, and is still somewhat haunted by the experience. It was a good man-to-man, heart-to-heart talk.
April 12, 2008: Tri Corner Knob Shelter GSMNP, NC to Standing Bear Farm, TN
Miles Hiked: 18.1
Total Miles: 237.3
Wow, hiked 18.1 miles today all the way out of the GSMNP and to the Standing Bear Farm Hikers Hostel.
The day started out with rain and thunderstorms while I was making breakfast in the shelter but it never actually rained on me out on the trail as I hiked. In fact, by mid afternoon, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the mid-70’s as I was dropping elevation rapidly.
As I left the park, I saw perhaps the most beautiful area I’ve seen so far, the crossing of the Pigeon River. Beautiful streams, spring in full bloom, flowers everywhere, water falls, butterflies. It was gorgeous. The Lord and the Lady truly live here! I hope my pictures come out.
I slept in this morning at the farm. What a neat rustic place! Got a hot shower – old school style – last night. Did not get to wash clothes, but only 2 ½ days from Hot Springs, so I’ll survive.
Expecting rain and snow for the next two days, then warmer weather.
Total Miles: 237.3
Wow, hiked 18.1 miles today all the way out of the GSMNP and to the Standing Bear Farm Hikers Hostel.
The day started out with rain and thunderstorms while I was making breakfast in the shelter but it never actually rained on me out on the trail as I hiked. In fact, by mid afternoon, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the mid-70’s as I was dropping elevation rapidly.
As I left the park, I saw perhaps the most beautiful area I’ve seen so far, the crossing of the Pigeon River. Beautiful streams, spring in full bloom, flowers everywhere, water falls, butterflies. It was gorgeous. The Lord and the Lady truly live here! I hope my pictures come out.
I slept in this morning at the farm. What a neat rustic place! Got a hot shower – old school style – last night. Did not get to wash clothes, but only 2 ½ days from Hot Springs, so I’ll survive.
Expecting rain and snow for the next two days, then warmer weather.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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