Month: April 2017

Trail magic is a general term from random acts of kindness performed by strangers for hikers. These people are referred to as “trail angels”. Trail magic comes in all sorts of varieties ranging from giving free rides to and from the trail, to providing snacks, hamburgers and beer. Trail magic was pretty common in GA with a group of people setting up a tent with food at almost every major gap. My first experience was by a trail angel named King Tut, who had set up a stable with snacks, such as chips, candy, and would exchange your hat for a hat that was knitted  by there Church. They would then donate your hat to a person in need.

At the Gap into Helen GA there was a huge group of people providing soup, sandwiches,  hand sanitizer, first aid, and every kind of snack or junk food one could imagine. One of the most memorable tail magic experiences was at a random dirt road gap in GA where Gram and Old Goat cooked you all you could eat hamburgers with salsa and beer. We got into that gap with only a mile left until we got to our campsite, but there was also a campsite at the gap  and when they offered to cook breakfast (pancakes and eggs) in the morning we opted to stay there and enjoy as much of the free food and beer as we could.

Another memorable trail angel was Frankie the sleeper who had through hiked back in 2014. I met him at Newfound Gap just outside Gatlinburg TN where he offered a ride into town. It is worth pointing out that hitch-hiking into town is very common, but can be tedious and time consuming especially as a male…. Frankie proceeded to give hikers rides all around Gatlinburg from Friday morning until Sunday at noon (and he was in fact how we returned to the trail after staying in Gatlinburg that night).

Trail magic is most commonly performed by former through-hikers, family of hikers, and churches. In a gap in NC, which was close to Robinsonville, I met Shirley, the wife of a current through hiker. I had just eaten lunch in the gap and during that time been given apples and leftovers from the NOC. Shirley pulled up as I was about to depart and asked if I would like a Pepsi with ice. I kindly accepted, while we chatted about the trail. While we were talking she mentioned that she had bought hot dogs and a grill, but didn’t know how to set the grill up. I proceeded to help her assemble the grill so that others could enjoy some trial magic, and went on my way. Although I really wanted to stay for more food, I had been there for nearly an hour so it pained me to leave as I had been craving a hot dog for days.

There have been many trail angels along the way, but those were some of the most memorable. Little things are greatly appreciated from snacks to a cold soda. Thank you to all of the trail angels I have met this far and all the rest I have yet to meet.

 

350 miles in! Days are getting longer and hotter. I have passed a number of beautiful balds. As I write this I am sitting on a bald named beauty spot. I have started to push for longer days in the hopes of finishing by Sept 7th, so that I can be home for my wife’s birthday. I took 4 zero days in Hot Springs NC to visit friends and family, but will probably not be taking any more anytime soon. The heat has been a pleasant change from the cold and wet. That being said finding good water sources has now become  more necessary.

My first really hot day was the climb out of Fontana Dam NC into the smoky mountains, which has been my favorite section so far. We had good weather, beautiful views, and the terrain was mild. Charlie’s bunion was absolutely breath taking! People have said wonderful things about Big Bald and Max Patch, but I crossed both in horrendous weather. My only thoughts on Max Patch was to get off as soon as possible as it was pouring , 40 degrees and the wind was howling on the bald. I’m feeling optimistic for the rest of what NC has to offer and then Virginia here we come!

 

200 miles in and over Clingman’s Dome (the highest point on the AT). It feels much less like a battle with nature now as the hiking legs and feet have started to come in. Longer days leave me much less exhausted and give me more time to reflect and enjoy myself. It seems like a crazy notion to want to spend 4-6 months outside hiking 2200 miles, but the longer I am out here the more enjoyable the days become.

Hiker hunger has officially kicked in at this point. I have lost weight and can eat like there will never be a second meal. The pursuit of high/dense caloric food is never-ending. Honey buns at 550 cal per bun is a favorite. Snickers, cheese, skittles, and cliff bars are also consumed in mass quantity. I am also adding several table spoons of olive oil to dinners to increase the calories. The last time we ate in town I consumed a half pound bacon cheese burger with fries and topped it off with a snickers and a piece of fudge. After which I still felt like I could eat more. The strange thing is I don’t think hiker hunger has hit me in full force yet…. 

Almost 200 miles in! I’m averaging about 11 miles per day (including zero days)I have just made it to the Smokies where privies (outdoor bathrooms) don’t exist. This means that everyone has to do their business in the woods next to the shelter making it a minefield. This also means that I have stopped drawing water from shelters from fear of getting Giardiasis. Which would result in being up for a few miserable zero days. The rule for pooping in the woods is to go 200 yards from water, but the further the better. Also a 6 inch hols to bury the specimen is required. For this many people use trowels (small shovels), which I would said should be a requirement. The deuce of spaces is the Cadillac of trowels out here. The nice thing about trowels is that they allow a decent jolt to be dug, which is difficult to achieve through roots and rocks with a tent stake or stick.

We have also encountered some tough weather up to this point (Snow included). 

Here is Fontana Dam. This is a tiny lake town we resupplied in. There was a lake and what is known has the Fontana Hilton. Its the nicest shelter we have stayed in on the trail so far.

 

100 miles in and through Georgia!! So far I have hiked through rain, storms, sun, and clear skies. I have picked up a small hiker family that I have been hiking with since the first couple days. We have been able to resupply and shower about once every 5 days or so, which isn’t too bad.

It seems that the trail is a constant battle between nature and yourself. Foot maintenance is probably the most important aspect thus far. Proper use of moleskin (and I personally use sock liners) is critical. Foot problems seem to be the biggest reason people drop out after total unpreparedness. Personally I have only had one blister on my little toe, which is slowly getting better everyday.

Hiking in the rain isn’t as bad as it sounds, however, setting up camp in the rain is pretty miserable as staying warm can be problematic after. It is bizarre to think that I’m only 1/22nd of the way in and have already learned so much about long distance backpacking. Ill be sure to post more tips and tricks to long distance backpacking as I go.