Springer Mountain to Neels Gap 2/21/09-2/23/09

Pictures: http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2992579620104728652pBZTSW

2/21/09 1:20 pm—Springer Mt—0 mi today—0 mi total

Just summited Springer with Mom, Dad and Harley. Sitting next to first White blaze! Beautiful weather—here’s to adventure!

2/21/09 7:00 pm – Hawk Mt. Shelter—7.5 mi today—7.8 mi total

Great first day! Camping in the shelter with about 8 others. Left Mom and Dad at 2:30 in parking lot. Hiked 6.8 solid miles in 3 hours. Good pace, got to shelter with enough time to cook dinner: chili con carne. It was excellent! Stove worked well, going to bed now.

2/22/09 7:10 pm – Woody Gap – 12.3 mi today – 20.1 mi total

Great day! Woke up to 2 in of snow. Slept well except for a space blanket next to me, the man next to me sounded like a plastic bag all night long. Went to bed at 9 last night, stayed up late talking with Mike and Dustin. Both cool guys, from Colorado and Mississippi. Cooked up oatmeal in the morning. Stove needs work, it is hard to get primed. I should have attached a wick. Matchbox that I brought is really crappy, it shredded when I tried to strike a match. Dustin let me borrow his lighter. Pumped water from spring. Love the pump I brought, it is fast and easy. I got all my stuff packed up and was fourth to leave, although I was the last out of bed. The talkative farting Marine went first, then Wess, then Mike, and then there was me. Dustin looked about 5 minutes from leaving when I took off, although I didn’t see him all day. Good pace in morning, hiked fast to stay warm. Lots of snow and cold wind on the trail. I wore just long underwear, pants, shirt and bandana, although I probably should have worn gloves. I took a picture at Horse Gap as I broke double digits (10 miles)!! I had chicken salad and crackers for a snack on Justus Mt.. At 12 I met Mike finishing his lunch as Justus Creek. Made 2 mi/hr at this point. I had a quick lunch and followed the back trail. I passed Gooch Mt. Shelter quickly towards Gooch Gap. I caught up with Mike there as well. We hiked together to Woody Gap. We have a similar pace, the last couple of miles my legs were not happy L We got to Woody Gap at 3:30 pm, just shy of 2 mph for the day. Windy!! Set up tents, but then we found a better spot so we moved our tents 30 yards. Pumped water from spring. I accidentally left my poles behind but Mike brought them back. I cooked chicken and nuts stir pot for dinner. I need to upgrade stove and fuel bottle. I hung a bear bag but left my breakfast in the tent. I hope I don’t get eaten by a bear!! I hope to get to Neels Gap by tomorrow afternoon. It is 10.6 mi from here. Blood Mt. (highest point on AT in GA is in the way). Hoping it doesn’t snow again. My 2-person tent is nice and roomy without Harley, although I would rather have him here with me.

2/23/09—6:10 pm—Neels Gap—10.6 mi today—30.7 mi total

Woke up to FRIGID temperature! Some guy in a car said it was 16 degrees!! With wind it felt really cold. I ate my cream of wheat and Carnation instant breakfast…cold. It tasted pretty good. I almost got frostbite trying to clean the dishes. Definitely not worth it. I warmed up at the privy. I packed up and left at 9 am with Mike. It was a beautiful view from first mountain, Big Cedar Mt. I took some pictures and got some solid miles in. Took a snack break at Henry Gap (4 miles and 2 hrs). My water hose was frozen until this point. I must remember to blow it clear every night. I reached Jarrard Gap at noon. I ran out of water, but was not going to walk .3 mi down a hill to get it. I continued to Slaughter Creek. I arrived at 12:50 and pumped water. I attacked Blood Mt. and summited at 1:30 (highest point on the AT in GA). Here I took an hour for lunch and had some gouda cheese and a Nutrigrain bar. I met 3 guys, who were trying to meet up with 3 other guys…they all had matching backpacks. They were nice, but they had no clue how to read a map. I came down Blood Mt. (steep and rocky). Got to Mt. Crossings (a store) at Neels Gap around 3:30. I took some pictures outside. The store is really cool! Everyone is very friendly. I paid for a night in the hostel (16$) and washing load ($3). I met Ben, a nice guy attempting a thru hike. After I showered I ate dinner with others in hostel. Pirate cooked beans and pork with cornmeal for everyone. It was really good! I watched a bit of an old western about Sam Houston (there was a small VCR at the hostel). Dustin arrived after dinner. It turns out he was at Woody Gap last night too. I can’t believe we missed him this morning. After dinner I called home. It was nice to hear familiar voices. Ben cooked 2 frozen pizzas to share and Cool Breeze passed around a PBR (beer). This is a really friendly group. I am planning on taking stock of food tonight before bed, and making purchases tomorrow. Mom says the SPOT is working well. I hope everyone is having fun at home following along.