We started today clean and refreshed and resupplied. My pack weighs 36.5lbs with food and water. I’d like to shave about 6 lbs off but I bought enough food to get me off of the trail Friday. Todays hike had some steep sections, but overall was another beautiful day on the trail. The last two miles were a warm hike along an old road or train line. Tomorrow I’m shooting for Deep Gap Shelter, but that’s a bit far at 21 miles. I will see how tomorrow’s hike goes. Either way, I’ll be getting to Dick’s Creek Gap on Thursday morning. If I get in early enough I can get a slack pack in to the North Carolina border and then head home Friday.
We were all spread out today. Professor and DJ hiked by my tent about 7. Which means they left about 6:00. I think I figured out where Moose camped, but he was on the trail by 5. I left at 7:10 and then had to go back to far my hiking poles. I ran into Dannyboy at around 8. Today we attacked the dreaded Blood Mountains. They are about 1500feet of climbing over about 5 miles with a sharp downhill. I made it to Neel’s Gap at 1:00 for a 9 mile day. It was a perfect day to hike. We got a couple of rooms in Blairsville to shower, restock, and wash clothes.
We hiked a pretty leisurely morning. We stopped a couple time for snacks and water. There were a couple of stops that had trail magic, and it was really nice to have a soda and some fruit. We were going to try to make it to Woody gap, which would’ve been 12 miles for the day. But they weren’t very good camping spot so we hiked on the trail. We ended up splitting up again. Carl and DJ stayed back a ways. I made it to a place called granny top, and I think Moose and Danny boy are at. Lance Creek. We are all meeting up at Neels gap today. And the best I can tell I’m about 7 miles out.
Found my group at about 9 this morning. We shoved off about 9:30. Stopped at Hawk Mountain campground and decided to stay. Finished the day at about 4pm. Hawk Mountain campground is big. There’s probably room for 50+ tents. Nice pit toilet. Slept well. Got up around 7:30 and started day 3 at 8:45.
Started hiking the approach trail at around 12pm. Somehow I passed my group and it’s too wet and cold to stop. Had a break at 2 and again at 4:30. Made it to the top at 5:20. The official northbound start of the Appalachian Trail.
I waited for my crew for about 75 minutes and watched the sunset. Decided to just go to the campground and set camp. It was cold and really windy but the tent setup was easy and warm inside without the wind. I was soaked from the waist down and peeled my clothes off and out on warm dry thermals and socks. Went to sleep at 7:30. Woke at 3:30 to pet the bears, and then woke again at 7:30. Breakfast was a mountain house skillet and coffee. On the trail at 9 and waiting again at the summit.
We’ve been on the road for 24 hours already, tag teaming the driving to keep momentum. The original map estimate said 26 hours. It looks like it’ll be closer to 34. Dropping the trailer tonight, picking up another hiker, getting a few zzzz’s and we should be at Amicalola Falls in the afternoon tomorrow. Hiking starts Friday. It’s raining now and forecasted to stop Saturday as we follow the storm east.
Hiking the start of the Appalachian Trail this week. I will try to update the posts regularly. Adding a new tent. it’s about 2 lbs heavier, but is self supporting.
I was not paying attention that the overland expo west had been postponed to September and after seeing a post by A2A expedition (Graham Bell) that they were racing to be there. I headed up the night before and camped overnight and managed to make it to the Bell’s presentation. What a neat story and a great journey and such a nice family. (https://www.a2aexpedition.com/).
Graham Bell -A2A Expedition
The interesting thing for me at this expo that was so much different than the last one two years ago was that I was not comparing trailers and sale tactics for the trailers we were representing at the time. I also noticed that all of the tools and gadgets are not needed in my setup. I was looking for two specific things; a better cook system and a solution for more comfort for the next big trip.
Old Jeep truck like my dad’s
I did not find something for cooking that was what I was looking for…but I did see something in a product that resonated with what I was thinking. It is not a bolt in solution, but it is something that I might be able to create or adapt. I did some searching afterwards and still there is nothing like it out there. I am letting the idea percolate and we will see.
Dream vehicle. 89 Landcruiser troops.
The second thing is a more comfortable environment when out on long-term travel. I like the van conversions but there are sometimes places I want to go that those vehicles will not take FJ is amazing and can get just about everywhere, but when Carl and I were above the Arctic circle and mosquitos were insane, it would have been nice to have a couch to sit on or a kitchen to prepare meals. It also has to be as easy to set up. With this in mind, I opened my mind and looked around. Truck slide ins caught my mind.
I found one that really appealed to me. It was open and airy and had a simple setup. Th problem with it was the hefty price. I can probably find a good truck for $30-40k if I look around, but adding on another $45k seems excessive. There were several other brands and some that caught my attention were the ones that had the basics, but also could be modified. That is my sweet spot. And after some looking on Craigslist and some other sites, it turns out there are several models in the $15-20K range or less if I get a good used one. So now my head is spinning and I am working a plan.
Potential options
Maybe my better half can find some time to connect with me and we can discuss what I am thinking.
