March Journal Entries
March 28, 1998
First day on the trail. I can't believe it. 8 mile approach trail.
Perfect weather. The hiking was strenuous, but the view and sunset from the top of
Springer was amazing. We couldn't have planned a better day to start.
Met Wisconsin Todd (17 lbs of food) and Baltimore Jack on the Trail. Jack has hiked
the trail twice and usuall breakfasts on a pack of camels and a shot of Bourbon.
Hiken a good way with Lisa and Jenny from Minnesota, college grads takin' a break.
I am amazed at how many people were at the top of Springer. Not all
Thru-hikers. Camped out. Thermarest had a ho.e this night. Sleeping on
the ground was not fun. Will patch it in the morning. Looking forward to a
good nights sleep. Signed the register and devoured Mac n' cheese and a Milky Way!!
Yummy!! First official day is tomorrow.
March 29, 1998 (1:00pm)
About 1:00, sitting at the base of Long Creek Falls. It's HUGE!!!
Saw my first white blaze today. We're about 5 miles from Springer. Got a late
start today. Had to patch my thermarest. The beginning of the trail was flat
and beautiful. Pine straw covered with some old growth pines 150' high. About
2.5 miles left to Hawk Mountain shelter, and a good night's sleep. I'm dreaming of a
chocalate shake. Hiked with Jenny and Lisa again. My Leki pole is the best!!!
It is making the rough spots a little easier. Still trying to keep it slow.
Not thinking about fraud and abuse lows too much out here. Blisters? Only
one. Not too bad. Grabbed a small pebble from Springer today and put it with
Dad's mezzuzah and pebble that Mom gave me yesterday. Boy, talk about an
emotional scene. Too bad Mom can't read a Map. It took us two hours to get
from Gainsville to Amicalola, a 30 min drive. But, Mom did find some good gas
prices!!! Jeez, I hope she made it home okay!!! Time to get back at it!!!
March 30, 1998 (5:45pm)
Well, I'm in my first shelter at Gooch Gap, and boy do I have a story to tell. After
the falls yesterday I met Brian from Iowa (crash), I called him Thunderbolt because of the
way he strode down hills. We made the easy hike to Hawk Mountain shelter, about 5
miles and decided to do the next few (6) miles to Justus Creek. How bad could it be,
right? Well, let me tell ya. Little did I know that the trek to Justus was
down Hightower Gap, back up, down Horse Gap, Up Sassafras, down to Cooper Gap, Up Justus
Mountain and back down to Justus Creek. We started hiking at about 3:15, fully
stocked with water, but the blazing late afternoon heat got the best of me and by the top
of Sassafrass I could walk NO MORE. I was dizzy, nauseaus, and dehydrated - a classic
backpacking mistake. About 3/4 of the way up Sassafrass I bonked!!! I turned
to Thunderbolt and had to tell him I was in trouble. We stopped at the top of Sassafras
and had a dry camp. I had about just over a half of a quart to make it through the
night and all the way to Justus. And Sassafras and Justus were enormous climbs.
Brian stayed with me and we made it in the morning. I put a lot of time with my head
between my lefgs trying to keep my fluids down. Anyway, made it to Justus - took 3
hours and hiked to Gooch. Today I was still dehydrated but seem to be on the road to
recovery. Sharing a shelter with "Weather-woman" whose hip predicts the
rain (btw - rain expected tonight!) I may take a full day off tomorrow. My
stomach is very bad (I won't go into it but managed to get food down.) Todd from PA
is here and Todd and Ma (AL) hiking to the Smokies made a coffee cake. Yummy!!! "Stickman"
is here and most plan to make it up Blood Mtn tomorrow. The patch on my thermarest
is holding so I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep. The AT has taught me a
lesson. Welcome to my first official day on the AT. More tomorrow. I'm
still smiling. The shelter mates have given me the name "Growler"
for my privy-using propensities. I hope it doesn't stick, so to speak.
March 31, 1998
Woke up feeling much better. Actually forced down a cream filled frosted pop tart.
Left Gooch Gap in good spirits at 7:42am. A late start, but I had to have on
full rain gear. Great day to hike until the BIG rains came.
Made it 8.2 miles to Jorrard Gap by 11:00; then
the thunderstorms hit. Hike up the highest climb yet to the top of Blood Mountain -
4460 feet. The climb was not too steep but it was absolutely relentless.
Filled and carried water to the last 1.4 miles to the shelter. Stickman,
Toopacksomore (Todd-PA), Bob from NJ, Clay (trail name- "nahlywema" meaning
perseverence in South African) Milo (from my 1991 AT Video, believe it or not). Todd
and Mom (Martha Stewart) and C+ (Joe accountant from NY) were all in attendance.
Covered a total of 12.2 miles. Feeling really
good. Had two bowls of cup-a-soup (shared w/late arrival of
"Weather-woman") Alfredo and , of course, my last Kit Kat. Tea for the
topper. Whatta night. Have some nasty blisters, but they don't hurt too much
and the kit that Lori got me is really hitting the spot. Thanks sis.
Tomorrow onto my first stop - Neels Gap. Shower, Laundry - and me and C+
might get a hotel room, split the cost. If not, onto Whitley Shelter. A lot of
wet gear tonite. Hoping the rain stays off of my sleeping bag tonight. (I got
the last spot by the window - and though it is covered, water might get through.
Hope not. Could be (fingers crossed) a great night to sleep.)
Weather-woman made it up here by scalded her leg. 2nd degree burn. She
will run to a doctor tomorrow. Topack is a walking pharmacy so he gave her some good
drugs. The next strech to Hiawassee should be splendid!!! Going to take it easy.
There is some weather comin'. Too bad I will have wet boots for awhile.
It's 7:45pm and we are all asleep. I think Stickman is up, but I may be a
lone wolf. Rise time is usually right befor daylight - 5:50 or 6:00am.
... Oh, here comes the rain. I hope the window holds!!!! So far,
so good. Hike into Neels Gap is straight down 2.4 miles
to ice cream and a hot shower!!! I am officially named Growler
- not a name I'm proud of, but it's kinda funny. I was the only one able to
locate the privy, so maybe its accurate. Uh oh - Bob's starting to snore, better get out
the earplugs!!!