29 March 2012

Today we made it to the GA/NC boarder!!  We stayed at Bly Gap where I first encountered the howler monkeys (which were actually owls).

Jason, Wes, and Tyler getting ready in the background

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27 March 2012

Today we hiked up Tray Mountain.  This is rumored to be a badass kind of mountain to climb.  We had a team member leave us today because of a knee injury.  Maybe I'll see him on the trail at a later date. 

This is the view from Tray Mountain.  The mountains just went on and on forever.

I have either a very funny or very terrifying story to tell.  This night we stayed on top of Tray Mountain at the Shelter.  I was awaken at around 2:00am because I thought there was a bear sniffing outside of my tent.  I held on to my knife not knowing what to do until the noise left and I fell asleep with white knuckles. 

funny no? 

25 March 2012

Today we stayed at Low Gap Shelter which had the cleanest privy I've encountered yet. 

This is the view from the water source which was a great spring south of the camp area.

24 March 2012

Today we spent the day at Neels Gap where we restocked on our food.  The outfitter there is supposed to be excellent at shacking down peoples gears and lightening up their load.   I should have taken advantage of this, but I thought I could handle my 44 lb pack.    I was wrong.

This is the famous tree at the outfitters.  At this point my shoes belong here.

I belive this was Cowrock Mountain.

We started our hike at around 1:30pm to beautiful weather, but it turned into hours of rain and a hail shower (which I might add that I had a blast in).  We ended up at Hogpen Gap where we set camp.  This was the coldest night by far.  I had the hardest time keeping my toes warm so I ended up throwning my down jacket at my feet.

This is the morning fog at Hogpen Gap.

Hiker clothing hang trying to dry out from the night before.

This is Bills food back after it was ravished by a bear during the night/early morning~!~!~!~!  Ray's bag also got gobbled up and he had to hitch a ride to get more.  Apparently bears love tuna and sweets, but hate oatmeal and quinoa.

23 March 2012

Today we climbed over Blood Mountain.  It was the most beautiful thing, hiking in the clouds, and visiting the shelter at the top.

Me standing in front of Blood Mountain Shelter.

My room in Blood Mountain Cabins.  My first shower was bliss.

22 March 2012

My legs feel like jello and I bring up the rear in the hiker train. 

Isn't this beautiful?  This is the cloud covered morning.

Our breakfast at Hightower Gap.

Hello friends,

I apologize for the lack of updates, but I'm finding it difficult to find internet access along the trail.  Because of that I will now do an 'monster update'.

20 March 2012

Today I was the second hiker of spring to sign the Springer Mountain registry... L-Dog being the first.
Here I met Jason (DarkAge), Partick (Damn Yankee), and Doug (The Doug).  The last two I will not see much of since they are monster hikers.

This is the plaque at Springer Mountain symbolizing the official start of the Appalachian Trail.

The crew.  The man staring you down is Damn Yankee.  He wears American flag shorts and hikes 5X my speed. 

This is DarkAge.  I'm sure he'll appreciate this.