Tollhouse Gap
Day: 1-2002
Mileage: 707.9
06/03/02 7:09 pm
Boy I went the wrong way and I wasn't even stoned. More on that in a
minute.
Back on the trail again after being droped off by my
parents. They drove me from Charlotte NC to toutville
where we ate at the Cracker Barrel and then whent off in
search of the trail. I was sure there was an AT sign at
the road crossing but I was mistaken. We ended up asking
at the Best Western where I finished my '96 hike and they
said it was just after the bank or, if you pulled around
to the back of the hotel and followed the fence line to
the corner there was a trail there. I found it, took a
hero shot with mom and then took off IN THE WRONG DAMN
DIRECTION (start time around 2pm). I didn't know this
because I knew I was suposed to cross railroad tracks and
I did (latter realizing that there were tracks in BOTH
DIRECTIONS). I met my first hiker (Now-Or-Never I latter
Learned) who said he started at Springer and was GOING
INTO TROUTVILLE. I think he knew I was hiking in the
wrong direction, but to his credit just hinted at it.
When it sunk in, I checked the map and OH SHIT I Hiked
about 2 miles the Wrong Way! So I turned around realizing
what a stupid mistake that was, but at least one one can
accuse me of cutting corners (Purist all the way... yah
right!). After hiking an extra 4 miles, I decided not to
attempt that last climb to the shelter. It was getting
late, I am very tired (because I am really out of shape
for this). I do have a blister on my right foot (usual
sport just behind the bit toe) and was getting a bad
headach. Bad thing though, no water source and I am
running low (1/2 qrt left). Good news nice breese and no
midsquitose.
P.S. glad I brought sun screen, I put it on half way
through the day and it saved my butt.
P.P.S. saw a black snake on the trail while hiking the
wrong way. Saw a thru hiker, a group (maybe thru hikers
slackpacking Not sure) and one guy with a GPS unit
mapping the trail to an accuracy of 1 meter!
06/04/02 6:12 am
Slept ok I guess. Found I slept in two big chunks: from
about 8:30pm to 1:45am when a thunderstorm woke me up.
Little rain, but quit a light show and thunder that
rolled and rolled. Then I slept from maybe 2:30am till
now. Still feel I got no sleep.
Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Mileage: 709.4
06/04/02 7:56 am
Fairly good hiking time from camp to here. No water
(water is from a roof runoff collection system and it was
dry. Must move on, out of water.
Wilson Creek Shelter
Day: 2-2002
Mileage: 715.7
06/04/02 7:16 pm
Hiked here in pretty good time. even with a long break at
Curry Creek. I woke up at about 6:30 and not having more
than 1 cup of water to my name I started off down the
trail with little in the way of breakfast. The shelter
was further than I thought, so it was a good thing I
stopped were I did. Sure enough there was no water there
and I couldn't find the "Unmarked trail to a spring"
anywere. So I just plugged on until Curry Creet where I
took a VERY long break, during which I drank 2+ quarts of
water, made a dinner, and watched the wildlife including
a water mocicine (juvinile) crawl all over my water
filter. Must have been there 2 or more hours when I
pressed on. Just about a mile away from the shelter it
started to drizzle. Go to the shelter, two were here and
more and more people started showing up. They all ate
dinner and pressed on to the next shelter. Now here with
two thru hikers writting this. Good day but much warmer
than yesterday.
On the medical front: two new blisters including a huge
one one the outside part of my left foot. Also my left
anckle is killing me on down hills. See how it is in the
morning. It probably didn't helt that I was so dehydrated
this morning.
06/05/02 9:18 am
Well with everyone coming and going I really do not know
who stayed the night, but I met a bunch of thru hikers.
Everyone started hiking but me now. I feel like such a
slacker, them doing 14 - 20 miles a day and all, but I
know I am not reary for those kind of days yet.
I went to bed early last night, but woke up often, partly
due to pains and parlty do to all the comotion. A fire
was built, lots of talk, and my personal favorite
fireworks (Thank got I was up when they asked if someone
minded, because if I would have woken up to them going
off I probably would have shit myslef).
It was intresting hearing all the trail stories from this
years bunch. Sounds like trail majic is even stronger
this year than back in '96. Its fully though how many of
the strories were the same, just the names where changed
(maybe to protect the inicent haha).
One guy who never hiked befor was here waiting for this
thruhiking buddy (he left early from town so not to slow
down his freind). I think he was from overseas (or at
least had a very heavy russian like accent) He was a
total peebe, but it was fun to listen to his questions
and comments. well time to get moving!
Bobblets Gap Shelter
Day: 3-2002
Mileage: 723
06/05/02 5:04 pm
Been here for about two hours now, got here and most
everyone from last night was here to get water from a
less than ideal source, but water IS water.
Good hike today, with mostly slight elevation changes.
Good thin cause I don't think I could have handled a bit
hill today. Sore sore sore. My feed hurt, my ass hurts
and my ankle hurts (only when it wants to).
Met a nice older couple at Bobbetts Gap. They were
southbounding on a short hike to see if they had recoved
from the flu enough to get back on the trail. Nice
couple. I hope they make it to maine. I think they were
Rigatoni & AngleHair Noodlehead.
Also met a thruhiker (might have been LazyMike or Paul
Reaver) who I talked with during one of my breaks. He
even gave me a little water, wich helped me get here
without being boone dry.
Today was so hot I hiked shirtless for the first time,
and with the buggs missing as they have been for the last
two days, I liked it alot.
I dread the hike out of here tomarrow, that was some 0.2
miles....all down (thank G_d for Switchbacks!!)
06/06/02 8:27 am
Feeling much better than last night. Feet and ankles seem
better.
Continuation of the story from day one. The hiker I met
was Now-or-Never and no he didn't figure out I was hiking
in the wrong direction due to town feaver. But it was
nice to have a chance to thank him. "You never know when
you do trail majic" is what I told him.
Nice group here last night. A father and son team from
Brittan (father out for a little bit). Also at the Train,
Merurs and others who didn't sign in.
Water source here sucked, but the rain last night helped.
The Brittens just made it before it poured.
Two things of note. When using polar pure, after the time
is up add vitamin C to the mix and it will kill the tast
of the iodine.
The new tent hammocs work well and are cool, bugproof and
stood up to that storm last night with no problem. Maybe
I will get one in Waynsboro.
Cove Mountain Shelter
Mileage: 728.7
06/06/02 1:20 pm
One note, the trail description from the road to here is
out of date due to a relocation!
Here with Sir Lady James and English John (the Brittish
Father and son team from last entry). Nice hike other
than a bit hot, but going on to the campground for a
shower and laundry.
Forgot to write about Fat Man (maybe Fat Guy), he was a
hiker going southbound and the name fits big time (excuse
the pun). He weighed about 280-300 lbs and his pack must
have been 85 lbs. (Although when he gets to town he is
totaly resupplying).It is a great story though, he
started way ahead of his southbounding son and is hoping
to be is shape by the time his son catches up so they can
hike together for a few days. Nice guy! Oh yea he does 5
miles a day or less (for now he hopes more latter).
VA 614
Day: 4-2002
Mileage: 732.7
06/06/02 7:02 pm
Back here again (Hiked this section in 99) this time with
Sir Lady James and English John. We rented a cabin togeter,
but I get ahead of
myself. Since the shelter the hiking was fairly easy and
I felt like I was doing my old pace. Didn't even stop for
a break, but then again there were only a few up hills.
Saw one deer, first of the trip, but when I tried to
unzip my camera pouch it ran off.
Great swim at Jennings creek, cold and no broken glass
anywere! Some frendly locals were there as well as one
snake.
Couldn't get a hitch into the campground, but got
everything else, room, shower, wash and even pizza and
beer. Now in cabin #3 waiting for the "sun" to go down
(grin).
Bryant Ridge Shelter
Mileage: 735.4
06/07/02 10:18 am
Got a ride out of the campground to the end of 714 then
bushwacked to the trail, cutting a little of the trail
and one omuuad (one more useless up and down). But since
I hiked the section back in 99, I don't feel bad. Going
on to the next shelter.
Cornelius Creek Shelter
Day: 5-2002
Mileage: 740.2
06/07/02 3:01 pm
Just made it into the shelter a few minutes ago. Nice
water source here, or should I say good for this year.
Unfortunatly, I got here right when Sir Lady James and
English John (aka King John as soneone called him in the
trail register) were leaving for the next shelter. I am
very sorry to see them go. I did at least have a chance
to say goodby.
The hike here was a killer! Since this is only day 5, I
wasn't in top form for the up hills. My legs were
willing, but my lungs just couldn't deliver the O2 to to
the job!
Did see a deer accross the trail before reching the top
of Floyd Mt.
The no see-ums are terrible here. I hope I dont eaten
alive. Good new is that they say the temperature is going
into the 40's tonight...I hope they all die from the
cold!
Oh yea, a thruhiker was trying to sleep when I arrived.
She awoke because of the bugs and we had a chance to talk
before she mooved on. Her name was Bugbite....fitting hu!
Black Rocks Overlook
Mileage: 741
06/08/02 9:51 am
Here at Black Rocks injoying the view and the sun. Last
night it was cold (according to the forcast it was
suposed to reach a low of 47 degrees). Bivey and polar
fleece combo did ok though.
Last night there was one long distance (but not thru)
hiker andf a boy and his father out for the weekend. The
boy and fater were fairly new to backpacking, carying way
to much, and didn't know to much about backpacking. It
was a reminder of how we all get started into
backpacking.
This veiw is the best of the trip so far. The minute I
got here I remembered it and being here with Keith some 3
years ago. It seems like yesterday. I can even remember
the conversation we had here. Weird!
P.S. I cant believe I didn't write anything about this
place back in '99
Thunder Hill Shelter
Day: 6-2002
Mileage: 745.6
06/08/02 6:49 pm
Here at the shelter, being a real slacker. Got here
around 1pm after a very great day for hiking. It was
sunny, cool and brezzy, boy I wanted to go on, but I just
didn't want to push it, just getting on and all.
A large group was here and hiked on, but Tweety, Poptart
and Bugbite are here with me. Bugbit has a nasty stomach
bug..hope she feels better tomarrow.
The consensus is that it is only the resturant that is
closed on monday in Glasgow so I might try going in to
town monday.
Great stories around the picnictalbe here. Having a
wonderful time!
Great veiws from Blackrock and Apple Orchard!
06/08/02 8:36 pm
Joined by Full Moon Walking (look for him at
Trailjournals.com)
06/09/02 6:42 am
Annother cool night but I survived.
I do have to record the story of how Poptart got the
money to hike the AT. You see he likes Public Radio so he
gives them money at drive time. When he gave money last
time he was entered in a drawing to win a new Volvo
automobile. Well he won, sold it and used the money for
this. He said it was a sign it was time to do the trail!
Matts Creek Shelter
Day: 7-2002
Mileage: 758
06/09/02 7:53 pm
Here once again with 6 thru hikers. Buggy here! Long hike
today and the down hills might have killed my knees. Did
see a deer (and got photos) and a rattle snake that bared
my progress untill we (there was a total of three hikers
deciding what to do) decided to go around him.
Good hike here except for the flat part that was all in
the sun, although it did have good views of the River
Valley. Unlike yesterday it warmed up almost too much.
Also saw a few forest fires in the area.
Did do over 12 miles today, but as I said my knees paid
the price.
Zues, one of the thruhikers here, was comparing thru
hiking to having kids. He said everyone says "Oh you got
to have kids and when you have them it is a royal pain,
and thru hinkg is the same, someone told us that we had
to do this and we would love it, but they didn't mention
the pain, heat, frustration, agony ect ect". Sorry it
looses something in the translation, but it was quit
funny.
One good thing, everyone is coming into camp complaining
about there feet or knees or boots or something, made me
feel a little better.
One additional note, Hiked by Fat Man's (or was it Fat
Guy or Fat Chap) son.
Glasgow, VA
Day: 8-2002
Mileage: 760.6
06/10/02 2:47 pm
Well woke up this morning and hiked the relocation
inlcuding the longest footbridge on the AT over the James
River.
Got a hitch into town in a little convertable with Zues.
Got to the hotel and it WAS CLOSED but some hikers were
leaving and I took over there room. Got in and did the
usual things, food, maildrop pickup, mail, laundry shower
ect (not in that order). One new thing, internet: I
emailed Keith from the library.
All in all I quiet day.
06/10/02 8:40 pm
Just saw Bugbite. She did make it into town and is just
starting to feel better. She was on her way to gey
something to try to eat. She is not sure, but thinks she
will stay one more day in town. Glad she is feeling a
little better.
