The weather today, besides the flash rainstorms in the early hours of the morning while we were still in our tent, was great. It was in the lower seventies with a crisp breeze and sunshine all day. We took it really easy today and hiked from Poor Mountain to Blue Mountain Shelter, about 10 miles. Arriving early to the shelter Adam and I were able to wash our clothes, play some card games, and eat our food without rushing.
Overall it was a good day, and we hope to hit the trail early tomorrow.
"Adam attempting to get the remaining water from his nalgene"
Today we hiked from Woods Hole Shelter to a camp site area near Poor Mountain. This total mileage comes to about 12 miles. There were some really rough downhills that flared up Adams shin a bit so we decided to take it slow. We climbed up Blood Mountain to about 4400 feet and descended 1000 feet into a small town area in Neels Gap were we picked up some small supplies. The rain and mist that we have had for the past few days looked like it was going to clear, but just as we went to lay down the rain moved back in.
"Kevin atop Blood Mountain"
On Day 2 we went from Hawk Mountain Shelter to Woods Hole Shelter. In total we traveled just under 20 miles! It was a beautiful misty day with a slight drizzle from the trees overhead. Towards the end of our trek Adam and I were getting really tired and sore, as we are adjusting to this tough terrain. We peaked something like 5 mountains.
We also met an woman named Pilgrim at our shelter. She was extremely nice and offered some advice about lowering the weight of our packs.
Sorry if the load times are slow, I can't lower the size of the images from the trail, and I will try to fix this on break.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Well after one day on the trail Adam and I are dying. We have finished the 8.5 mile approach trail, and have hiked another 7.8 miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter. So our total mileage for day 1 was near 17 miles! It was very tough on us today, but we did get a late start at 10am and of course, we have to get used to this.
On another note the first day was a beautiful hike where we ascended Springer and Hawk Mountain, both of which are over 3000 feet.
"Sign at the Start of Trail on Springer Summit"
Here we are at the start. This will be our first day on the trail, heading up to Springer Mountain!
"Outside our hotel in Dawsonville Georgia"
Well after about 16 hours of driving we arrived in Dawsonville, GA. We stopped at an outfitter to get some extra propane fuel, got some Sonic burgers, and checked into a hotel. All and all its pretty sweet. Just a 30 minute drive and we will be on the approach trail. Then a ten mile hike and we will be on the Appalachian Trail!
Just remember, I never know when I will have cell service, so be patient about updates.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Adam and I have left in my car towards Atlanta at 1am this morning the 27th. My father is driving us down and then he is going to spend a week in South Carolina. We expect to be in the Atlanta area Tuesday around 5pm where we will get a Hotel for the night.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Here is the before shot of Adam. He decided to keep a little beard because he is just past the ichy stage.
"Before shot of Adam"
Here is the before shot of Me. Just shaved off all my hair from the track season.
"Before shot of Kevin"
I am officially a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology! Finally, two weeks after everyone else got out of school.
Our plans for departure have not changed, and Adam and I will be driving down to Atlanta starting early Tuesday morning.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -You may be wondering at this point what my (Kevin) inspiration is for attempting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Well, I have always taken on challenges and opportunities that do not come along often in a lifetime. RIT Coast to Coast 2004 is a perfect example. As soon as I learned that we would be doing it as a team in 2004, I jumped on board. As the thought of graduation approached late last year I wanted to do something that would let me relax, have fun, and be tough at the same time. Being a long distance runner, I understand that everything cannot be fun, or tough, it has to be a mixture.
As I travel to school in Rochester and back, I always pass under the Appalachian Trail on Interstate 90. This is my true inspiration. Every time I passed under that bridge that travels over the interstate I got the feeling that I should be out there. So sometime last year, I made the decision that before I get a full time job, I would attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. Thankfully I have a friend that enjoys hiking immensely, so I will not be alone on the trail.
"The Appalachian Trail going over Interstate 90 in MA. (John Fegy/2007)"
Eastern Mountain Sports, a retail hiking chain in the northeast has a 20 percent off everything sale. EMS holds sales all the time, but not usaully for everything in the store. So if you need any equipment, this weekend May 9th through May 11th is a great oppurtunity. The sale is held online or in store.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -We are about three weeks from our departure on the Appalachian Trail! Adam and I will be finishing up classes in the next couple weeks with some final exams. I just want to take this time to say that it is important to check up with your doctor before heading out on a long trip from home. I called my doctor a couple days ago to find out that I am five years behind on my tetanus vaccine. This type of stuff may seem obvious before a 4 month hike, but make sure you get a check up. You could be days from help on certain parts of the trail.