a quick visit from the Appalachian Trail

[handmade34]

started my adventure on Springer Mountain March 14... snow, cold, rain, ice.... finally decided to leapfrog up to lower elavation after two weeks... am now hiking Pennsylvania (at Duncannon now) and will head back to the Smokies when things warm in a few weeks... finally went down from the Smokies this past weekend (near Clingman's Dome after numerous wet frigid nights and a Ranger on the trail mentioned that they had a fatality from the weather) I have not mastered my camera yet and most photos are poor... hopefully will have some to share a few months down the road... (lots of stories to tell though!!!)

photo from trek between Stecoah Gap and Fontana Dam (NC) last Thursday...



[IMG][/IMG]

[Mira]

1. So happy to see this

I'd recognize you anywhere, since you are one of the two DUers I have knowingly met.

So very happy to see you smile, so very grateful you are used to snow, and so very much awed by your adventure.
You are only the first to DO this hike in my periphery. Though I could count on both hands and feet the ones I know who have SAID they wanted to.

GO HANDMADE!
Thank you so much for checking in.

[handmade34]

6. so happy to be able to say HI!

I wanted to be a purist... start at Springer and hike thru until I got to Katahdin... boy was I silly so much can happen on the trail.

my 4th night in I got caught unexpectingly by rain (forecast said rain the next day) packed up camp wet and hiked 15 miles in sleet, snow and bitter winds... got to a shelter before dark and managed to get into my bag and maintain my core temp... but a bit later a women came into the shelter and bunked beside me and eventually was taken out by rescue with hypothermia. I got into town (Hiawassee) to dry my clothes the next day and continued my journey, only to be confronted with subzero wind chill index and snow 2 days later. Lots of people were leaving the trail but I was determined... hiked in knee deep snow for the next few days and got to Fontana Dam to dry out and pick up my first ail drop... waited a day until good weather was forecast for the Smokies only to find myself in blowing snow as I got to the higher elevation... camped at a shelter again and left before light the next morning... found myself following coyote tracks down the trail but no people yet... after about 12 miles met a Ranger on the trail checking on people... after conversation I decided to go off the trail for a day or two... got into Gatlingburg (wow... didn't expect the carnival) and after much rational talk with myself decided to be pragmatic and practical and not tempt threat of death and/or harm and go up and hike a section that I was pretty sure wasn't under threat of snow... more adventures to follow I'm sure, but hope not so precarious...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. awesome!

[Earth_First]

3. Thanks for rhe check in...

You are living one of my life goals!

Travel well, be safe!

[handmade34]

7. a lifelong goal of mine too

not happening as I expected but I will not give up; just have to alter it so I can hike the entire length... I guess a good analogy for life itself

[liberal N proud]

4. Incredible hike

More than I could ever accomplish.

Good luck!

[handmade34]

8. thanks

I'll need the luck

[Johnny Noshoes]

5. Looks like a whole lot of fun...

happy trails!

[handmade34]

9. "happy trails"

I like that

[handmade34]

10. off to camp

I am not well connected and seldom have access to a computer on the trail, but will try to post photos at some point... happy trails to all of you till I return!!

[Solly Mack]

11. So glad you checked in!

Stay warm, stay safe!

[elleng]

12. HAPPY TRAILS!

I live near entrance to The Trail @ US Rte 40 in Maryland, and pass it often (by car), noticing weather and fire hazard sign. Spring appears to have arrived around here.



More detail. I'm at Hagerstown. Call when you're near!

http://art313.ru/image.php?id=728623


Be well, and keep us informed!

[Jim Lane]

13. More than eight hours of an AT thread and no one's even MENTIONED Mark Sanford?

You people are way too high-minded. C'mon, we're allowed some cheap shots now and then.

Between now and the day of the special election, any mention of the Appalachian Trail should be taken as the occasion to remind voters of Sanford's adultery, of his lying about his adultery (saying he was out hiking), of his use of state funds to facilitate his adultery, and of his paying a record-high ethics fine for using state funds to facilitate his adultery.