Day 10 - April 3 Monday

Day 10

Monday April 3

Miles today 2.8

Total miles 80

Bly gap to muskrat creek shelter

Today was rained out.  We packed up our gear just in time before all the rain started.  The hike out of Bly gap was killer.  And we were in a cloud/fog/cold and windy rain.  We had told our hiking partners we would meet them at the next shelter in 2.8 miles and decide what to do there, keep going or hang out until the storm passed.  When we met up at the shelter it was supposed to continue raining all day but be clear the next day so we called it and held up our rain flys to set up the tents so they would be dry and just hung out until the next day.  The rain came off and on during the day but cleared up in the evening although it never got very warm or sunny so nothing really dried.  We all agreed that we would never complain about the heat, sun, or warm weather haha.  We have planned to take some time off at the NOC and stay in one of their bunk houses, so we will have to make up miles tomorrow, it will be one of our longer days so far. 

Day 9 - April 2 Sunday

Day 9

April 2 Sunday 

Miles today 8.6

Total miles 77.1

Hiawasee to Bly gap

Today we reached the big milestone of crossing into a new state!   We officially left GA and are in NC!  We camped just past the border crossing and plan to do a shorterish day tomorrow as bad weather is expected to start around noon and go to evening. It was a lot of climbing today and we ran out of/were super low on water the last 4 miles of the day.  Luckily someone passed us who was nice enough to share some of their extra.  Weather today was sunny and nice but got pretty warm with all the climbing, not looking forward to the summer heat haha.  Except for maybe allowing for a lighter pack weight?   We'll see :-).  

Hoping tomorrow's weather isn't too brutal, they're calling for big storms starting mid afternoon thru eve and been over hearing talk of hail?!?   Crossing fingers were set up before it starts tomorrow.  Planning some early morning hiking to hopefully get to the next location and maybe beat it.  

We've planned our first zero day at the NOC in about a week as we were able to get a pet friendly bunkhouse with some hiker friends.  Looking forward to a roof and a rest day!!  Thanks for all the support, kind thoughts, comments and packages!   Love to everyone at home and can't wait to catch up soon!  Until then, happy trails!

Day 8 - April 1 Saturday

Day 8

April 1 Saturday 

Miles today 5.4

Total miles 68.5

Sassafras gap to hiawasee!

We finally reached a point where we could go to town and do laundry, take a shower, maybe stay in a bed or have a roof...  We got a couple of the things anyway haha.   There was trail magic right at the road intersection before top of Georgia (TOG) hostel where we had planned to go.  TOG is only about 1/2 mile down the road where there is lodging inside or tenting, an outfitter and resupply options.  They also offer a shuttle into town which is about 15 mins past the trail exit.  While we were hanging out at the trail magic that a few students from the college were doing-oranges, cookies, treats, toilet paper!, soda, chips, bananas, so much goodness-a guy shows up "natures own" who was dropping off some hikers came over and started chatting with us telling us about some camping and supper and people playing for like $10 and he could give us all a ride so we were in.  We picked up a couple packages from the TOG hostel (thanks for the mushers secret and cheesecake surprises Kristal!) and went to the budget inn where you could camp and the guy offered to let us use his room to shower and charge stuff etc. We were able to do laundry as well and had some amazing bbq sandwiches with potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, and treats after.  Thank you budget inn!   There was also live entertainment with a blue grass style band, it was amazing.  

We walked down the grocery for a resupply and now our packs are heavy and probably overfull again but we are still getting the hang of it.  It was crazy trying to pack up and organize on the grass in front of the tent, but each time things will get a little better :-)  We will be back on the trail again tomorrow and plan to do around 9 miles to the shelter and see how it is.  Until then, happy trails!

Day 7 March 31 Friday

Day 7

March 31 Friday

Miles today 13.1

Miles total 63.1

Blue mtn to sassafras gap

Today was a long day!  It was our most mileage yet.  We were aiming for addis gap which was 0.9 further but by the time we got to sassafras it was enough.  There were big hills during the first half of the day as we hiked up to tray gap. We got some super awesome trail magic today!!  As we came into unicoi I said, "I smell fried food" and Brayden said I don't smell it and then we saw the tents :-D  At the bottom of the hill was a church group who was grilling up burgers, had soda, chips, snickers bars!, and delicious food and fire pit and it was amazing.  They were there right before this large hill called rocky mtn.  But I didn't even think anything about the mtn because I was still on my cheeseburger high. That magic lasted basically all day haha.  

Weather today was good, it's been pretty cool and breezy in the mornings not really warming up until lunch or an elevation change.  

We were beat when we got to camp but got there early enough to set up and do dinner and hang our bear bag all before it got completely dark and got to bed and passed out.  Around 5:30 in the morning, Hope started scratching around and we heard a 'whoosh' as Brayden sank to the ground when his sleeping pad got a hole in it.   We will plan to hike into hiawasee next so we will have to see what happens.  

Day 6 March 30 thursday

Day 6 

March 30 Thursday 

Miles today 7.1

Total miles 50!

Low gap shelter to blue mtn ridge

Today we did a shorter day of only about 7 miles but we made pretty good time.  Terrain wasn't too bad which helped getting the miles in and getting to camp around lunch time.  We had planned to stay at this campsite because some nasty weather was going to roll in around 3 and get worse at 7 so we had planned to hunker down and wait it out.  Luckily the weather held out this afternoon and we got to put in some miles and still have a good amount of rest today. It started raining around 8ish and then continued to get worse thru the night.  Full on lighting, thunder and heavy winds.  At several points wind pushed our tent walls  over on top of our heads. We were camped on the top of blue mtn so we were hardly protected haha. But we are still here and luckily our gear held together and we didn't get too wet :-). 

We have been meeting folks and making some trail friends so that has been fun :-).  It's sort of crazy we're all doing the same thing, going up and down the same challenges and showing up in the same place at night. 

Day 5 

March 29 Wednesday 

Miles today 11.2

Total miles 42.9

Neels gap to low gap shelter 

Today we got up early and still spent a longer time getting going than we thought.  But we did do some errands before we left neels like dropping off a package to be mailed, picking up our charged items and signing the log book finally!  When we left neels there were gradual inclines and declines all the way until tesnatee gap where there was a killer 500 ft climb in 1/4 to 1/2 mile....basically straight up a bunch of switch backs lol.  It amazing to see how many ways people will tackle the same thing; some power up without stopping, some many breaks and everything in between.  After that there were some long inclines and declines and it was so exciting when we finally made it to the campsite tonight!  It was again later than we planned but we made some camp friends over the past couple days and got a spot right by them so it was nice to hang out a bit.  You can see the different color tents from further up the trail thru the trees and its always so exciting when you know you're close to being able to set up and rest!  It always feels like such a long day looking back.  Brayden got stung but something, not sure what, like 30 mins before we got here.  

We got some AWESOME trail magic today!!   There was a gentleman who called out to us when we were almost at the road crossing saying he had water-it was like heavens gift! We had been out of water/super low for several miles and there weren't any good sources until our campsite in another 5 miles. What a trail angel he was that gave us water, oreos and oranges!   We had our oranges on the last climb of the day right before we got to the campsite and they were the best I've ever had.  I've never been a huge fan of them but I am ready to incorporate them into an AT tattoo at the end of this journey :-)  thank you to that man and his wife if you ever see this!!   He gave us the sustenance and hydration to make it to our site tonight, hero for sure. 

Weather today was incredible.  Occasionally sunny with a breeze.   Sort of hot before lunch during the killer climb but got nicer as the day went on.  We had the gift of no precipitation today as well.  But tomorrow afternoon/evening they're calling for thunderstorms and horrible things.  We're planning a shorter day tomorrow so we can hopefully miss it and/or already be set up when it begins. Fingers crossed. 

That's all I can think of for now, let me know if there's anything anyone would like me to include or any questions you have.  We haven't really seen any wildlife yet, other than the typical birds and squirrels.  Body is holding up ok so far.  Better than I expected at least, just a few blisters and some discomforts.  Need to remember sunscreen next time we're in town :-).  Until then, happy trails!