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2011 AT Trek
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Ready for the trail, we were heading up 1.4 miles to the beginning of the AT.
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Few scenic pics.
Headed up to the beginning, then hiked back down then out to 3 Forks where we spent the night.
The other guys started putting up their tents, I started the fire. They put their tents all over the area, kind of spread out.
They played with their stoves, I gathered firewood. They cooked on their stoves, I cooked on the fire, then they realized that cooking with the fire was much easier. I gathered fire wood for awhile, then when it was dark, they came around the fire.
We sat and bs'd. Then when they decided to go back to their tents, I just put down my poncho, rolled my mummy bag into it, crawled in and made sure that I could reach the wood pile and fell asleep looking at the stars.
It was awsome.
Woke up the next morning and my ankle was double it's size. Stood in the cold creek for 5 minutes, rubbed it down with Tiger Balm and was on my way on the second day of the trek. 11 miles on Saturday.
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Saturday morning and we are heading off. They got me coming up the hill.
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We stopped at a small river for a quick pic.
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Stopped for a quick wash at a waterfall.
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About 0900 the ankle started up. I told the guys that I could not keep up with their pace so they need to go ahead and I will meet up with them from time to time. They were a bit concerned about how they would know if I fell out. I showed them my bright orange emergency whistle and tolk them that if they hear it, I'm down.
We started off and that was the last I saw of them until 1230. They stopped at the top of a mountain and I caught up to them. I was running about 30 min. behind them on the average.
I really enjoyed walking by myself. I think that I enjoyed the environment alot more. My concern was that there would be so much pressure put on making the trek rather than enjoying the walk. I def. enjoyed the walk, even with a swollen ankle.
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Looks like a great trip. Hope the ankle is doing better.
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Nope, ankle is shot.
We met up for lunch and then we headed off together again, I started to fall back but I knew where we were going. We had about 5 miles to Gooch Mountain shelter.
We met up at Gooch where we had a fresh water spring, privys, and a shelter. Shelter was full, so the gents with the tents put them up in the camp areas.
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I decided to pack light and did not bring a tent. I brought my poncho, mummy bag, and a hammock.
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After we ate dinner, a bearded gent came into camp and invited us to a AT party about 1.4 miles up the trail. We were all set up and decided not to pack up and go. Three of us just decided to hike in, eat hotdogs and poggy bait, drink a few beers and bs a little.
I had decided not to bring alcohol on the trip as I did not want to hike with a hangover. Well that all went to sheot Saturday night.
I will tell ya about it later this week.
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Thanks for the pics. What kind of boots do you have?
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Looks like you had a good time. How did you do in the hammock? It looks, by the way it sags, that it might get a little uncomfortable.
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Looks like a real good time, to bad about the ankle, something like that can be a dangerous situation.
Thanks for posting and the pic's.
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The hammock worked out great. It is alot more comfy than it looks.
I was wearing Timberland hiking boots, very light and they cover the ankle. They were Backpackers boots of the year in 2006, they worked out well.
So, we hiked into the party and feasted on hotdogs, danishes, a variety of crackers and beer. As I was sitting by the fire, a gent looks over and says he remembers seeing me on the trail, he noticed that I had an old military machette strapped to the side of my pack. So the ex pro hockey player and the rugby player looked over and asked "why do you have a machette?" I look up, serious look on my face and respond "to chop people up, of course."
I got my trail name, Dalmer (as in Jeffrey). My trail name changed later that night to BF, we just won't go there.
Had a great time at the party and drank my share. Learned some AT hiker rules. First and foremost, never ever do as my buddy did, offer money for cigs, food, or beer. If it's offered, accept it, enjoy it, and move on. Down the trail you may offer up the same.
We hiked the 1.4 miles back to camp and crashed for the night.
Every walk the AT after midnight? buzzed? it's a blast.
The next morning was a little hard getting out of the hammock. But I did, packed up, made my way down to the spring, filled up teh boda, and took off 30 minutes before the rest of the group. I was hauling butt...made the party site in record time and there were the participants from the previous night. Had a hooya good morning, they directed me to the blue berry muffins, the ice cold cokes, and crackers. So I dropped the pack and ate breakfast.
About 35 minutes later the rest of the group showed up, extended rest time...Yeh.
After about another 30 minutes of bsing, we were on our way. I fell back, way back. By this time the ankle was toasted, the planters wart on the arch was seriously hurting and I had gotten a blister on my right big toe.
Met up with the group around 1100, on top of a big rock. Pierced the blister and drained, covered it with superglue, added two bandaides and it was okay. Pulled the left boot, changed the sock, smeared Tiger Balm all over the arch, ankle, and front shin. After a small snack, the group headed out. I decided to stay and rest for another 30 minutes, boy it was nice. No talking, just quiet listening.
Then I was off.
I had about 2.5 miles to go and it was really hard. Every step was a half step and going down the rocks was slow and tedious. I was worried that I would break the darn ankle. So I took it slow.
About 1 mile from the end of the trail, I really fell behind. Not because of the ankle, but at the mile mark there were day hikers with dogs and kids. The dogs always come running up to me and of course I have to give them love. Then the woman ask questions, the guys make comments and you talk for a bit.
Finally I made it off the trail.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0/P3130020.jpg
The end of the trail, this day.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0/P3130021.jpg
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Going to have to take ya'll along on my trails soon. Thanks to ya'll that post your times in the field!
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Cool beans. I'm glad you had a good time. I asked about the boots because it looked like slippers of some type when you were sitting on the foot bridge in the one pic. I didn't think you'd do that to yourself.
Sorry the ankle was a bummer but sometimes just being there by yourself is the best trip of all. Duct tape does wonders for hot spots, too.
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Sounds like a great time even tho the ankle was fussy. Glad everyone made it safe. Thanks for taking us along, Frank. I've gotta get up there and see some of that country for myself.
Maybe in a few more years I can take a vacation like that.
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Thanks for the trip report; sounded like you had a blast.
And no I haver never walked the AT at midnight while buzzed, but I have had to leave a shelter because of bad vibes I was getting off of some people. It was not pleasant.
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