Greasy Creek Friendly

I arrived this morning at Greasy Creek Friendly, an Appalachian Trail hostel.  I needed extra food to get to a town tomorrow morning 25 miles away, Roan, Tn.   The hostel is .6 off trail if the guide can be trusted.  It turns out it's more like a mile, and 500 vertical feet according to my altimeter.  Though I was able to eat a TV dinner and get some resupplies, while watching cooking shows, Maury, and The Price is Right.

Greasy Creek Freindly is at mile 364 point something from Mt. Springer Georgia, the start of the Appalachian Trail, and 1861 to Mt. Katadin in Maine, the northern Terminus.  I'm once again just shy of my 21.85 mile a day average, coming in at just 10 miles under last night.  A loss due to my zero day in Hot Springs, Nc.  I'm making up the miles though, and I did allow myself 6 zero days.

The trail has been a little more cruisy these last few days, though there were some really rocky sections.  Leaving Hot Springs, two days of heavy rain were made better using my ultra light umbrella.  The last two days were clear, hot and sunny.  Ninety degrees with ninety percent humidity is not necessarily the best weather to do two thousand foot climbs in, but they need to be done.  Today I get to climb to six thousand feet, hopefully getting across the high point before the potential thunderstorms this afternoon. 

Yesterday, I stopped at the Nolichucky Hostel to resupply for the 25 mile stretch to here at Greasy Creek Friendly.  The Nolichucky Hostel is across the street from the Appalachian Trail, where it crosses the Nolichucky river on a bridge, in Erwin, Tn.  They really tried to get me to stay, but I was in and out by 10:45 AM.  Tomorrow I hope to get to a Subway Sandwich shop and get some five dollar foot longs.  Subs should be helpful on the 50 mile stretch to Hampton, Tn, home of the Kincora Hostel.  Then it's just 50 more miles to Damascus, Va.  In Damascus there is a Methodist church run hiker hostel, that's supported by donations, and more importantly, a nearby public pool.  Guino is very good in the water.

Hot Springs, Nc.

Yesterday I rolled into Hot Springs, North Carolina, a very small hiker friendly town.  The Appalachian Trail goes right down the main street of this pre civil war town.  The Trail has been going great. I'm 14 days in, and besides the nero day (near zero miles) I took yesterday and the shorter day today as a result of hanging in town, I'm crusing at 22 miles a day.  That's slightly above the 21.85 average I need to complete this in 100 days.  Evertything is going great out here.  I spend most nights in trail side hiker shelter, though I have tented several times too.

There are no big views like the Pacific Crest Trail.  There were some through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, but for the most part, the trail is a long green tunnel.  Trapped in dense forest. 

In the Smokey's at a shelter some tourists from Chicago and Michigan, gave me a bottle of Glen Fiddich Scotch, which made for a very tipsy day of hiking. 

No Blisters yet though, which is cool.  I need a smart phone to update daily from the trail, but for now the occasional internet will do.  I am maintaining a journal every night.  I  may decide to post this in the fall when I'm done hiking, but for now, it would be to consuming to try to write and post while in town at the library.

There is no cell service with AT&T in this town, which is a bummer, I would love to make some calls.  I just saw that I got a 4.0 GPA this semester taking 17 credit hours, and having a part time job. 

So far I have seen 1 bear, while on the shuttle to Mt. Springer, the start of the trail. Many salamanders, 1 four foot long black snake, tons of spiders, millipedes, centipedes, birds, 1 Turkey, deer, Chipmunks and squirrels.

Appalachian Trail class of 2011 Rocks!!!

Arizona Trail Hiker arrived!

Hearsay, hiker trash extraordinaire, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and possibly though not sure Continental Divide Trail Hiker stopped by the Penguin Pad today.  Filthy stinking hiker trash got to love it!  He is on a possible speed record hike, neck-in-neck with Krudmeister, who also is in town today, passing through on the Arizona Trail.

Hearsay started on April 19th, and has gotten to Flagstaff already, 568.1 miles across Arizona from the Mexico border.  I believe Krudmeister started on April 20th though.  Yes, I find sport in long distance hiking speed records, how could you not?  These guys are serious athletes, busting out the miles day in day out.  In my opinion, they have earned the right to boast of their deeds.

Have fun on the rest of your hike and kill it out there!!!

My Zpacks 8.9 oz Hexamid tent, and my 4 oz Blast Pack arrived today.  I will set the Hexamid up tomorrow and post a pic.  Theres no time tonight, the sun already set here on the Colorado Plateau.

May the 4th be with you.

Ok, we all know that this is international Star Wars day.  The reasoning is just as valid as saying March 4th is the most progressive day of the year, it just sounds good.

I just got a mail drop in for some Arizona Trail hikers today.  I'm blessed by the occasional hiker that needs a place to crash and shower here in Flagstaff, Az.  Hopefully they get here soon though, I'm about to start the Appalachian Trail.

I'm leaving for the Appalachian Trail in just 8 days.  Got the plane ticket on Delta, which makes me sad.  Southwest doesn't fly into Atlanta, so I get to fly an airline that doesn't advertise how much they love you and makes you pay for baggage.   I still need to get to Springer Mountain, and will probably end up getting a ride from  Survivor Dave.

Well, now I'm trained in LNT principles, and certified by the Leave No Trace Institute to train others in the ethics of LNT also.  Hail Caesar!   The other day was fun I tried to poke out my eye with an internet cord.  Hurt like hell for hours.   Advice, never yank a cord out of a box when there is a ton of junk on top of it.