tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39777777456159488752024-02-19T14:19:55.619-08:00Eaglet ExpressThe Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-62586109726046689532012-04-09T18:19:00.001-07:002012-04-09T18:21:06.755-07:00Neel's Gap to Blue Mountain ShelterBefore we get to the details, a few words about <a href="http://www.mountaincrossings.com/">Mountain Crossings.</a> It's a cool place, you should go there. And I would know, we spent <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html">a Lot</a> of time there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creepy Boot Tree outside Mountain Crossings. You're supposed to throw your old boots over the branches. They sell lots of boots here, I guess.</td></tr>
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The folks were nice to us, there was ample hang-out space. Also, I bought some new boots. I was actually fitted for new boots. When I saw that the soles were splitting after we came off Blood Mountain I knew the old Merrel's weren't up to the task anymore. So I padded into the store in my crocs & the least stinky hiking socks I had. I felt a little bad subjecting the BootFittingLady to my dirty-self. She found me a great pair of Keens and sold me some insoles (SuperFeet!) that go inside. She also told me "oh, by the end of the hike your feet will probably be a whole size bigger" YESSSS! If anyone asks ever again, here is why I am hiking: so that I can buy a pair of shoes that fit without going to the BabySection.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Boots!</td></tr>
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Now, onto the walking.<br />
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Top Banana's Dad and Kathleen (TBDAK) dropped me back at Neel's Gap this morning. I walked up to the porch to sign the Thru-hiker's log and weigh my pack. The weather report on the board was for highs in the 70's, lows in the 50's and 50% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. I didn't sign the thru-hiker logbook after all and my pack weighed 30 pounds. I was mortified. One of the MountainCrossing employees was walking past at the exact moment I said to TBDAK: "There's no way this is right, this scale must be wrong". I'm sure he was thinking "That's what they all say". I'm sure the scale was accurate. Ugh.<br />
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And so with new boots and a tooheavypack I headed up out of Neel's Gap. The first 20 minutes or so my calves burned and my feet ached as I got used to the new insoles in my shoes (SuperFeet!) and I wondered if this new boot thing was a mistake. But it got better. I passed a few people in the morning, including the Australian couple we'd met the day before at Blood Mountain. When I saw them, they were headed towards me. "When was the last time you saw a white blaze?" they asked. "Uhhhh...." What? I hate it when this happens. "We walked down that hill and came to a blue blaze without any other white blazes, we looked around but couldn't figure out where the trail goes..." I pulled out my map and we decided that we were somewhere..right...about...where all these curvy lines are... After a minute or so of speculation and "AWOL is usually so spot on.." I turned around and saw a white blaze on the tree behind me. Satisfied we packed up and I headed out first. At the bottom of the hill I came to a blue blaze straight in front of me and a side trail to my left with no blaze. There was the faintest ghost of what could have been a white blaze, or a patch of lichen on a tree about 15 feet ahead. Using this evidence, coupled with the experience I had with the trail at this point--that it usually goes up--I kept moving forward. It was the right way, of course. I never saw the Australians again.<br />
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I passed CowRock Mountain and moved to the "other side of the map". <br />
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<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Fritzi "Steak" at Cowrock</td></tr>
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At the bottom of Cowrock mountain I came to my first Trail Magic--a guy named King Tut had set up a tent at the road crossing there (Tesnatee Gap). I had a coke and some Cheetos and only minimal proselytizing. The sky was getting dark and I was worried about being caught on a ridge in a thunderstorm. I headed out (or straight up) of Tesnatee Gap. I crossed Hogpen Gap and saw some more trail magic but left it behind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striking a pose, there's nothing to it.</td></tr>
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Had a quick walk over a ridge for a while--trying to outrun the storm
that I could hear behind me. After a few hours I pulled into Low Gap
Shelter where I had some cheese and crackers with the folks there. I
met Roadside, Candace, Swinging Jane, Stats, a few other folks whose
names I can't remember and Preacher-man. About 4 I decided to move on.
On the way to Blue Mountain Shelter I passed the couple we'd been
leap-frogging with and the other folks we'd camped with at Jarrad Gap. I
was tired and my pack was heavy but it was only 5 and I didn't feel
like stopping so I moved on. About 5:30 I had a break on a rock and
Preacher-man caught up with me. He sat down to have a cigaratte. He
was carrying a gallon jug of water, a 30 year old pack and was wearing
jeans. Not exactly typical hiker garb. "I wish she would just wire me
money so I didn't have to wait for a package". I started stuffing food
in my mouth so I couldn't possibly participate in this conversation. "I
mean, really, she should go to Walmart and get me a debit card so I can
just buy what I want". I don't know who She is, I didn't ask. I got a
bit creeped out, sitting there with my nice-gear and full food bag with
a buy bemoaning his lack of money. "I'm getting cold, see you" and I
took off. Walking even faster now to keep the storm and creepy-man
behind me.<br />
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After I left Creepy-man behind I still had 4 more miles to Blue Mountain Shelter. I was already tired and was after 5 o'clock quittin' time, but I had my heart set on the shelter and I still had plenty of daylight. Then I met these rocks.<br />
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Miles and miles of these horrible rocks (ok, it was like 1 mile of rocks). <br />
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They were much worse in person.</div>
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I rolled into Blue Mountain Shelter around 7:30pm. There was a group of folks there that recognized me. "Hey, you're the Girl Scout. Where's the kids?" I told them that the kids had to go home because, you know, School. </div>
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"We heard you got all your food stolen last night". </div>
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"No, that was everyone else, my scouts are professionals." </div>
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I made dinner and sat and waited a while for my alcohol to burn out (because I put waaaay too much in my stove, I hoped no one noticed). Inside the shelter they were trying to decide whether or not they would get Hanta virus from the dust in the corners. Conversation turned to Creepy-man. I happily intruded on their conversation to inform them that I'd passed him and relayed that he was planning to make camp a few miles before the shelter. There was a collective sigh of relief and I was glad that I could bring good news.</div>
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I set up my tent just outside the shelter and hung out for a bit listening to the Best Friends Club talk about all their plans for the future together. The way they joked with eachother and leaned in shoulder to shoulder over the topo discussing elevation and mail drops I was certain that they were friends from Before the Trail. "So, how do you all know eachother?" The girl who was making a pair of flip flops out of 6 inches of ratty string and a couple strips of duct tape looked up "Oh, we met up at Hawk Mountain". I guess the trail gives some folks enough common ground to form immediate families, but they were a few days ahead of me--I just lost my trail family. I knew that over the next couple days I'd figure out who would be in my crew. It depends on who you keep pace with and who isn't too creepy.</div>
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I hung my food and went to bed. Had a nice phone message from one of my Scouties wishing me good luck.</div>
<br />The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-21414551803231720162012-04-02T04:35:00.000-07:002012-04-02T04:35:42.973-07:00March 15, 2012 Jarrard Gap -- Hobbit HoleWoke up this morning to news that everyone else camped at Jarrard Gap had their food stolen overnight by bears. Not us. Our food was up the hill 200 feet away, still hanging where we left it. The bear had pushed over the tree that had everyone's food on it. I thought I heard something last night. A guy tried to scare the bear off by lighting some white gas. He said it did scare the bear, but only for a few minutes. !! What? Ok, so we shared some hot cocoa and oatmeal with them this morning. Top Banana tried to off load her jar of peanut butter on them but someone else beat her to the punch!<br />
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Hike to the top of Blood Mountain was not hard. There were switchbacks but the grade was moderate. Top of Blood Mountain was awesome--great views--and a fun rock to climb on. The Blood Mountain cabin was old and spooky. Then we hiked down the mountain. Holy Giant Rocks Batman! The North Side of Blood Mountain does Not mess around. Serious business. You've been warned.<br />
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We reached Neel's Gap around 1pm. Top Banana's Dad + Kathleen arrived and LoneRanger, Prof.Oak and Top Banana took off with Dad to get the cars from Amicalola. Kathleen + I + the Scouties stayed and entertained ourselves for a few hours. (It took a while for them to get back because: Funeral Procession!) I bought some new boots (1 year in the Alps, 3 years in Florida and one trip down Blood Mountain is the lifespan of a pair of Merrels, I guess), AquaMira, a new spork (my other one succumed to the night of horrible conditions on Hawk Mountain) and alcohol for my stove. That's right, I'm switching to: chemical water treatment and a practically weightless stove-setup. <br />
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Back at the Hobbit Hole we had a wonderful (!!!) dinner of cheeseburgers and salad. We recapped the highlights and lowlights of the trip. General consensus: Highlights--everything. Lowlights--walking uphill and rain at Hawk Mountain. <br />
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I resupplied and resorted my gear with the help of a few of the Scouts. Mostly they jumped around and I told them to Not Touch My Food! (which is mainly Snickers bars. They are tempting).<br />
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The girls took showers and went to bed around 11. We are going in different directions in the morning. <br />
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<br />The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-89972833185934346972012-03-31T09:27:00.001-07:002012-03-31T09:27:05.176-07:00March 14, 2012 Gooch Mountain Shelter to Jarrard GapLong day. Started from Gooch Mtn Shelter around 9:20. Shuffled down the trail for a while until we came to a stream. Spent 45 minutes filling everyone's water bottles and bladders. From there the groups split up again and headed for Woody Gap. Nothing too memorable about the terrain between Gooch Mountain and Woody Gap--there were some nice springs that we stopped at and we walked up some hills and down some hills. <br />
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Woody Gap was really nice though, a beautiful view and some picnic tables. There was a road to cross. Told the kids not to get run over (that would be hard to explain) and met a ridge runner who was concerned about whether or not we had blisters. We have none.<br />
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The climb out of Woody Gap to the top of Big Cedar was very challenging. Switchbacks! Hand-over-hand scrambles! Steep! But, we made it to the top. <br />
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We all met up on top of Big Cedar and decided to find a place to camp around Burnett Field Mountain, rather than pushing on to Jarrard Gap. I took off with the faster group to look for a place to camp. When we got to Burnett Field Mtn there wasn't much of a field. The topo showed some flat ground there, and there was, but no one had camped there in a while and it would have been more work to find a campsite than to just press on the extra mile-and-some to Jarrard Gap. <br />
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Lots of other folks at Jarrard gap--which is a flat area with lots of
tenting area right before the beginning of the Blood Mountain climb.
We're camped here with lots of folks we've been keeping up with since
Hawk Mtn. A couple asked for assistance with their MSR stove. Bert was
pleased to show them how to light their stove. ( A proud moment, go
Girl Scouts!).<br />
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Feels good to be out on the trail, hard to believe this is our last night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cLMEFdFhBNKZi5Msi0YLXQv0lIR7VFUEiA6bVeXrxwwKPV5X4HKDM0lfmKrzQ0NWWvowlDRpLPO54evZ2pSlrbqWr87zLLaxfwAEvxhAQQMbbW1RG5_DPQon-YGXIU05O9VXIE6da_Y/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cLMEFdFhBNKZi5Msi0YLXQv0lIR7VFUEiA6bVeXrxwwKPV5X4HKDM0lfmKrzQ0NWWvowlDRpLPO54evZ2pSlrbqWr87zLLaxfwAEvxhAQQMbbW1RG5_DPQon-YGXIU05O9VXIE6da_Y/s320/47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gFfZR4Jeg7hecADMXRQ0NWHjKe_4J7GtN6b2FGEB7HGRoiZQTeyZM4L3q9o0aNj-9g5DhFQ3Obzkjgr34mWHK7J6ztAuccEsiePRvkjcHceGQIQQr75DXG_NDiO3XhJDGH9NdU302J4/s1600/48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gFfZR4Jeg7hecADMXRQ0NWHjKe_4J7GtN6b2FGEB7HGRoiZQTeyZM4L3q9o0aNj-9g5DhFQ3Obzkjgr34mWHK7J6ztAuccEsiePRvkjcHceGQIQQr75DXG_NDiO3XhJDGH9NdU302J4/s320/48.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting more water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5tFUZ3RiVJJxn8W2ezYv5cKdVeqXMNnyly2w14tYSATy3CSy9BOwWmJRrZF1oSY7EmJtCaxvSFRKVIi26L51FKbBOngMR42OMjYG86MF-eiyXEKauAjuinlbxF3JR60UoniLrvJKbjA/s1600/49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5tFUZ3RiVJJxn8W2ezYv5cKdVeqXMNnyly2w14tYSATy3CSy9BOwWmJRrZF1oSY7EmJtCaxvSFRKVIi26L51FKbBOngMR42OMjYG86MF-eiyXEKauAjuinlbxF3JR60UoniLrvJKbjA/s320/49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, still getting water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1B56BKUMzlvR_bmR8-_ptfIMQVfJXa2yEDc129uYKR6sUFzKLfHM2ltmkKm0kpHiwtkJ08TJR7Cm681DSlXbEk9lWQ7Cr2VEK1xL2CyPvUXVBBniN_dgbpYFud5SVcCNFKwxJC5W9jM/s1600/50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1B56BKUMzlvR_bmR8-_ptfIMQVfJXa2yEDc129uYKR6sUFzKLfHM2ltmkKm0kpHiwtkJ08TJR7Cm681DSlXbEk9lWQ7Cr2VEK1xL2CyPvUXVBBniN_dgbpYFud5SVcCNFKwxJC5W9jM/s320/50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRWsgMXr8aKXYGYuSci1DJEsnx-5Z4xvjLuv2k-9BcX8dUIrt2MaySJI6NU5CV77V1kUXyvvUcoXiQDvVisxIuaXJg-l3KvUwYYAU3sGhfbF7va6V8TfOS13wzZ4B4BJv31PjtTudsSw/s1600/51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRWsgMXr8aKXYGYuSci1DJEsnx-5Z4xvjLuv2k-9BcX8dUIrt2MaySJI6NU5CV77V1kUXyvvUcoXiQDvVisxIuaXJg-l3KvUwYYAU3sGhfbF7va6V8TfOS13wzZ4B4BJv31PjtTudsSw/s320/51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where water comes from.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnU4KBlJ-jzC9YGDePnGfUCK2hpE11sEmXNg91rHHwbwIU2Jz8m2QcDrDt8PK-WtMm-JPQu5u89Cf5MwSu3uT554eS431Bl7N4022WvuVuRJttaPb3O4P3U6oncrEkeshyphenhyphentGRsShyphenhyphen4Uo/s1600/54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnU4KBlJ-jzC9YGDePnGfUCK2hpE11sEmXNg91rHHwbwIU2Jz8m2QcDrDt8PK-WtMm-JPQu5u89Cf5MwSu3uT554eS431Bl7N4022WvuVuRJttaPb3O4P3U6oncrEkeshyphenhyphentGRsShyphenhyphen4Uo/s320/54.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch break at Woody Gap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhAym3-iCcac1L7yJCsPvPvjylpQYlUCd_O12B3IyT-D7bvxrj5l_KcFmfyrgTr25fYEXxeMtin2egu-pPOF9q58julnxBM40VhrBTqK8otwkqL76fDy-c3lj3WxdpLs1tWp5cnXtw2Y/s1600/56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhAym3-iCcac1L7yJCsPvPvjylpQYlUCd_O12B3IyT-D7bvxrj5l_KcFmfyrgTr25fYEXxeMtin2egu-pPOF9q58julnxBM40VhrBTqK8otwkqL76fDy-c3lj3WxdpLs1tWp5cnXtw2Y/s320/56.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo ops at the Woody Gap sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNeNM1S2OmPJ4THykh5Uo1RE_5oWEDh5l_krw8IXH8KKyde0NKvSeHu1GHggGjDetsBpW0TFqcKvKLsjVrupUF79Hs20F-XRRPi2OP2hRbur55mam2LBEbpIduxiu04Ciw24nbUN7zXs/s1600/57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNeNM1S2OmPJ4THykh5Uo1RE_5oWEDh5l_krw8IXH8KKyde0NKvSeHu1GHggGjDetsBpW0TFqcKvKLsjVrupUF79Hs20F-XRRPi2OP2hRbur55mam2LBEbpIduxiu04Ciw24nbUN7zXs/s320/57.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Cedar belongs to us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting some water.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QtK4-3ljmNh8E69qH35jxt9EWJrc7r-svjlM9lh2cC8xwaUcDFDjqVWvfccX15JZONjt9UkwezHNAByY0KjGmYml0aFAymJGEwMi_tOPdqgid9bxUlWzdAW-Syu2tBPVKvrRcAhyphenhyphenIHo/s1600/73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QtK4-3ljmNh8E69qH35jxt9EWJrc7r-svjlM9lh2cC8xwaUcDFDjqVWvfccX15JZONjt9UkwezHNAByY0KjGmYml0aFAymJGEwMi_tOPdqgid9bxUlWzdAW-Syu2tBPVKvrRcAhyphenhyphenIHo/s320/73.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Jarrard Gap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6VI08EoBdFkTbCUq1QXj4rWTJ9JebTECPzhFRkmIpIdxsY8GyKoEOnvIcMOd0FsAwiEG9RWsAqE8YA294kfHXK4ndZEPGnHZA5IbjkXD_T8-zRoTutKN3ao3fw64sff_MBARlDykI2I/s1600/80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6VI08EoBdFkTbCUq1QXj4rWTJ9JebTECPzhFRkmIpIdxsY8GyKoEOnvIcMOd0FsAwiEG9RWsAqE8YA294kfHXK4ndZEPGnHZA5IbjkXD_T8-zRoTutKN3ao3fw64sff_MBARlDykI2I/s320/80.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenting at Jarrard Gap. You know, in the middle of the trail (shhhhh).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-77459979961283971862012-03-28T06:56:00.000-07:002012-03-28T06:56:28.191-07:00In other news: Africa?<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkO_F6b0o3MJWmpcIQB9WR2IvSPSgDNJh4Y3qxxoEs-_cKi66rmJcGCxG3iB5XJpgOi-k2nvHR9UqmMIMBTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Why I'm hoping this Africa thing works out:<br />
<br />
Because, who wouldn't want to spend time with these kids? They enjoy school. They come to school early to help clean, because they Love school. And finally, they sing every morning!The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-26033332513081164202012-03-28T06:29:00.005-07:002012-03-28T06:30:07.652-07:00March 13, 2012 Hawk Mountain to Gooch Gap<div style="text-align: left;">
Everything is drying out. We had a rainy breakfast but the fog lifted and the sun came out. We hit the trail around 9:30 and walked the shoulder of a mountain and had a nice view of the valley and mountains for the first time. Had a few climbs: Sassafrass Mtn and Justis were both challenging, but spirits were high and the miles went by quickly. We blew down the north side of Ol' Sassy and jumped over Cooper Gap and owned Justis. We dried out gear and tents in the sun on top of Justis, but folks were out of water and some crankiness was beginning to seep into the mix. From the elevation profile (We're using the ATC maps) it looked like we needed to climb Phylis Mtn next, on the way down to Justis Creek. However, we had a nice surprise--the trail was a gentle meandering grade down to the creek. No climb! </div>
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Justis Creek really is a marvel. It's wide and shady. The girls took off their shoes and played in the creek for a long time. They found a 'tiny lobster' (crawdad) and saw salamanders and tried to catch some water-striders with no luck. Water bottles were filled, morale soared once again.</div>
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Out of Justis Creek we hiked up a short grade (1/2 mile) and then it was flat the rest of the way to the Gooch Gap Shelter. This place is packed full. The shelter is on a hill and there are very few flat tent sites. We're all on a slope just below the shelter. We can hear all the shelter-goings-on. Tall tales! Bad choices! Swear words! </div>
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We had our GadoGado Ramen for dinner. The girls give it an enthusiastic
Thumbs Up! "Thbhitthhh itthhhh gohhwhhhoodd" says Mo with her mouth
full. </div>
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Pictures! (I thought I had pictures of Justis Creek, but I don't. Maybe they're on the Other Camera?)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88qye_xcKHCJGUuw6sJbaOtC464__q9tlSyoZoz0C8ODhdXSGW82HUd0AoGmvawckXTH00TqSQC50yytd-WcuXmi1FlGGF4hUoAh4nm0SpjLJ6yummQBOVU_oBjo_Q_zqlNvwMi6vHEk/s1600/goochgap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88qye_xcKHCJGUuw6sJbaOtC464__q9tlSyoZoz0C8ODhdXSGW82HUd0AoGmvawckXTH00TqSQC50yytd-WcuXmi1FlGGF4hUoAh4nm0SpjLJ6yummQBOVU_oBjo_Q_zqlNvwMi6vHEk/s320/goochgap1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mudpuddle camp at Hawk Mountain</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNa_-RjgQpekq_3W40trmXtN-nAbnb9iK6oCYKE4I1wnrvv4vQDg4zmks8rWSuBxybda7ty4MicfUFAbyMlYOqCJc0ZnjJh6g45qFtswwKJNr5PUfJVjwAdmsjPUqY8IUuyU04McAd2k/s1600/goochgap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNa_-RjgQpekq_3W40trmXtN-nAbnb9iK6oCYKE4I1wnrvv4vQDg4zmks8rWSuBxybda7ty4MicfUFAbyMlYOqCJc0ZnjJh6g45qFtswwKJNr5PUfJVjwAdmsjPUqY8IUuyU04McAd2k/s320/goochgap2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The sun comes out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9OdVsKhyPdDjfFzoyqGyj6rluJNGY-spWVpm0O7c0Ax8x3QMX3nU0Taz-sCkVRy6hUR8bqfqK5OhmdfKZKoR9lgDhxE7430N7Bfj06ls6tRsJqvZ1rPYk4OywSLhyphenhyphen0TBJCHQLRbeVzs/s1600/goochgap4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9OdVsKhyPdDjfFzoyqGyj6rluJNGY-spWVpm0O7c0Ax8x3QMX3nU0Taz-sCkVRy6hUR8bqfqK5OhmdfKZKoR9lgDhxE7430N7Bfj06ls6tRsJqvZ1rPYk4OywSLhyphenhyphen0TBJCHQLRbeVzs/s320/goochgap4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing wet tents :(</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxB5rCggCVyJVg4P9V6QEMc-flEyLvjmWJVmEJcCTIbl9j32_qqzP-AwsHeWzt3FW7nq3oMecfMs6Z2-VFlWiAc361Iq9NjXjv78g29CSWPBNik4kziKvIZ9uRBpuM57P4xD4cfQwMH0/s1600/4goochgap1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_MXkvYKuUH9iycfc1WKUt82K978j2_X4A6MuyvPBFK2u1dD3M67kLNQKySOicy4bl2UOp5JCqlY7EccQgBEyZ4cCSDn0llpL8sARhQMMcJon8hyGmy_Pm30xVQekIHKSiTeLSLSS4y4/s1600/3goochgap1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV2sl23Jy2Wizfp4a4cThSId6QLr_8mniw8xsioppwABhL73sH1GG5gFh9ixOeDPZC1lwaNGvKRXvJwme_2hLTMc7bg2PADPKLS9v_L4Koso9rfMgS7wYdAyLAG6K5l9qEpBpUbEcmvk/s1600/2goochgap1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV2sl23Jy2Wizfp4a4cThSId6QLr_8mniw8xsioppwABhL73sH1GG5gFh9ixOeDPZC1lwaNGvKRXvJwme_2hLTMc7bg2PADPKLS9v_L4Koso9rfMgS7wYdAyLAG6K5l9qEpBpUbEcmvk/s320/2goochgap1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill camp at Gooch Gap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RpMQes4T9pW32iigeL73l-4N-oTvAbSGTdH0RnWAiZMVcbg_2AoF7mYYcPtYdVRMvu7eP-dY9j_yHv9tCC84eSyllBs5uf6zZbnhD5aBkFxfpTWdiPaRMFPh8Fl2sGyamVGtUWJ_3Q4/s1600/2goochgap3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RpMQes4T9pW32iigeL73l-4N-oTvAbSGTdH0RnWAiZMVcbg_2AoF7mYYcPtYdVRMvu7eP-dY9j_yHv9tCC84eSyllBs5uf6zZbnhD5aBkFxfpTWdiPaRMFPh8Fl2sGyamVGtUWJ_3Q4/s320/2goochgap3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stove Master</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS3CwTmIZ26vigMEuxhrKaZBllQRakLLs48BYCShmUEEmqtABNY5PWMRPXfQWLCWK7kY2iZgv4-ROdg1yrWTJOBVWqzKQUDyPCd9-T75yB4chIO07R5ljvXtoVCl3d9EmhNafyywcI8E/s1600/2goochgap4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS3CwTmIZ26vigMEuxhrKaZBllQRakLLs48BYCShmUEEmqtABNY5PWMRPXfQWLCWK7kY2iZgv4-ROdg1yrWTJOBVWqzKQUDyPCd9-T75yB4chIO07R5ljvXtoVCl3d9EmhNafyywcI8E/s320/2goochgap4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding frenzy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlKDrhMx_ZwS8CwCksB5ytFIiaMipwf03pzt2wVyJDtoDQYzp08SC6xlaLQHvEhR54Lmak-DCHIK_iOJ2VGUE3W9Wc_yK88I1N657q_cqX6nYKCzAp1jzxYDWSA6edVtLRJ-Hox6WgZM/s1600/2goochgap5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlKDrhMx_ZwS8CwCksB5ytFIiaMipwf03pzt2wVyJDtoDQYzp08SC6xlaLQHvEhR54Lmak-DCHIK_iOJ2VGUE3W9Wc_yK88I1N657q_cqX6nYKCzAp1jzxYDWSA6edVtLRJ-Hox6WgZM/s320/2goochgap5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know, hangin' out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teeth Brushing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, Bert's shoulder catches on fire. Alarming!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</a></div>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-29962156475428304032012-03-27T10:00:00.001-07:002012-03-27T10:00:04.006-07:00March 12 2012. Black Gap Shelter to Hawk Mountain ShelterGirl Scout's 100th Birthday. The Operator's 13th Birthday.<br />
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We didn't get up until 8am and didn't manage to get out of camp until half past 10. We were fogged in and we all took a fair bit of time to organize ourselves. We made Springer Mountain around 11:15. Took lots of foggy pictures and headed downhill to the FS42 parking lot where we would meet Top Banana's dad to pick up supplies for the remaining 4 days.<br />
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We picked up resupply and celebrated Girl Scouts' and The Operator's birthdays with cupcakes. I love a good birthday... It's been difficult going for some of the girls and the break at the parking lot boosted spirits a bit, as well as the promise of some flat ground ahead. The Approach trail certainly was a cruel shock for us.<br />
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It was foggy but manageable all day until around 4pm. Mo was puking again and Bert was attending to her feet when it started raining. Sprinkling, not raining too hard for full-on rain gear but promising to start pouring soon. The Rogues (what we're calling the faster group of hikers) made Hawk Mountain around 5:30 and started setting up tents. There is lots of flat space around the shelter, but there are also lots of people tenting here. We managed to locate a spot with only a small puddle where half of our tents could fit comfortably but all of our tents could fit uncomfortably. The Sweepers arrived around 6:00. The rain started coming down harder and instead of our usual cooperative dinner making I just took the reigns, lit the stove and put Bert in charge of the rest. It poured all through dinner. Everyone was starving and hovering around the stove. The stove was in the middle of a mud puddle. This was a distinct low point in my camping-life. Crankyness abounded. Rain poured. The puddle in the middle of our site grew and tents were relocated amid groans and whines. Water dripped off the bill of my rain coat into the Mac and Cheese--usually a favorite camp meal but this night it tasted more like sawdust. Muddy sawdust. We couldn't keep the mud out of the food and we didn't care. The girls went straight to bed after eating. There was minimal giggling.<br />
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All of my gear is wet. Everything is wet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqYN7PoCYqjMa1Cq__K8PQkgQ_Jm5i8jDPwTd46P-izXbhRqsl34wPu2KJWXWPIhAI6ugBjb8qcV1Bk1Klg1_mWGcsKeE0WWERtZIPhRlspKUTJdNUXonImMNlVBgtx7atBXMQnsexQQ/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqYN7PoCYqjMa1Cq__K8PQkgQ_Jm5i8jDPwTd46P-izXbhRqsl34wPu2KJWXWPIhAI6ugBjb8qcV1Bk1Klg1_mWGcsKeE0WWERtZIPhRlspKUTJdNUXonImMNlVBgtx7atBXMQnsexQQ/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEn8AhjxQk1V19C9MlC7GfpWncKJf1roTbl-TiX7fd5mpgbswdQ0sudpMi9_QlE7wQt7YTUMHU7XC3lTJTSsnjP0v17WQDFTby33R5eP7CYbSO30dsdCfHeZJLK92vIsM-rzHey0QRsY/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEn8AhjxQk1V19C9MlC7GfpWncKJf1roTbl-TiX7fd5mpgbswdQ0sudpMi9_QlE7wQt7YTUMHU7XC3lTJTSsnjP0v17WQDFTby33R5eP7CYbSO30dsdCfHeZJLK92vIsM-rzHey0QRsY/s320/17.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Black Gap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY03Tx7-TJ_GBGhUnYsZ_z2zHr_77-d9mnVv8ImKjHF_piWxzwQJFb5x56Zli2lJ48GnRXq6zUEe513aQbYLQe2JN0-6R20RQ_e_5MDTpBWBmr67-sX6BCSKQR-Jd0axS2EPj_J6ICU4/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY03Tx7-TJ_GBGhUnYsZ_z2zHr_77-d9mnVv8ImKjHF_piWxzwQJFb5x56Zli2lJ48GnRXq6zUEe513aQbYLQe2JN0-6R20RQ_e_5MDTpBWBmr67-sX6BCSKQR-Jd0axS2EPj_J6ICU4/s320/18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The log at the top of Springer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing the Springer Log</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eaglet Express on top of Springer on the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Operator's birthday cupcake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only picture taken at Hawk Mountain. Mo looking properly miserable.</td></tr>
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</a></div>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-2841364991644286002012-03-26T08:26:00.011-07:002012-03-26T08:26:00.129-07:00March 11, 2012 The Hobbit Hole to Black Gap ShelterHousekeeping: I'll be posting my journals from the trip, but I'm hoping that the girls will chime in with their own take on these days.<br />
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Here we go.<br />
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Day 1. Woke up too early at the Hobbit Hole--a single family home/simulated English village complete with thatched cottages where toolsheds, barns or other outbuildings would be. The lovely folks there made us a delicious hot breakfast and shuttled us to Amicalola Falls State Park. <br />
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We got to AFSP around 10am, filled water bottles, signed in, weighed bags (one of the girls' bags was quite heavy--~30 lbs!--and we pleaded with her to turn over any excess weight she was smuggling, she aquiessed and turned over a book and an extra top. I suspected there was more. <br />
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We took pictures under the arch and were off, straight up the hill. In the wrong direction. A ranger at the bottom of the hill sorted us out "Well, you <i>can</i> go that way, but if you go the right way it'll be easier." The 'easier' way led us by a stream and straight to the base of 600 strenuous stairs. Strenuous. I felt the burn, I huffed and puffed. Though I suspected some of the girls would cry on the way up, none of them did. The day continued to be strenuous (why doesn't anyone ever say that the Approach trail is HARDCITY? Seriously, folks at home? The Approach Trail is HARD.) <br />
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Besides the stairs we did two more big climbs over Mt. Frosty and out of Nimblewill Gap over Black Mountain. Though the trail was initially steep out of Nimblewill gap, the trail crosses the mountain and then begins a gentle, meandering descent into Black Gap, where we made camp. <br />
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No one was using the shelter so we put the girls' tents behind the shelter and made dinner at the picnic table in front of the shelter. Tortellini and pesto and sundried tomatoes. Yes, these girls have gourmet taste. I'm not complaining. Hung our food--the shelters in Georgia all have bear cables. Basically, there's a heavy duty cable strung between two trees. From this horizontal line hang 4 pulleys with clips at each end--think flag poles--and these are fastened to the two outer trees. You unclip a cable from the tree, attach your food bag to the business end, hoist it up to the horizontal cable and then clip it to the tree. Easy! Though hanging bear-bags is usually the most hilarious part of the day, I was glad for the user friendly nature of the bear-cables. After the food was up we had a campfire and were in bed by 9 (Hiker Midnight).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eaglet Express</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Joke</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break at Nimblewill Gap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out tomorrow's topo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plotting something mischievous...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxgKdAE9Cnw1ehqprvmwpxVpPmGa6M82BXOkxcKKzqE5bIguMApjvNJX1dywptdSJhN3Hfvms35XOO5mL-HTl7mtk_knbUe6HtJRkfUuzj0IXYqfCSFsKM0x1mTAS1vZPaFIflNgeNRU/s1600-h/spitfire.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447756143381916226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxgKdAE9Cnw1ehqprvmwpxVpPmGa6M82BXOkxcKKzqE5bIguMApjvNJX1dywptdSJhN3Hfvms35XOO5mL-HTl7mtk_knbUe6HtJRkfUuzj0IXYqfCSFsKM0x1mTAS1vZPaFIflNgeNRU/s400/spitfire.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 323px;" /></a><br />
Meet the Spitfire. It weighs in at 2 lbs 12 oz. It is pretty much a little mesh pod with a bathtub-floor sporting taped seams. It is light weight, breezy and the perfect solo-hiking tent. I love it. Love Love Love.<br />
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I get home from backpacking last weekend, and like the good scout that I am, I set all the tents up in the backyard to air out. The $30 Walmart tent, Laura's 2 person tent and my Spitfire. All in a neat little row taking in the Miami sunshine and ruffling slightly in the cool ocean breeze.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyqG6o6dxrEWTWKSAOsyrZun_t1_j6j7KghqfO0DPUyeMcYwnjGbU5_PkkCv1w0lCTaCJNN4If0YteoujtULwjInC-_yEgR7b9AYalPumlTRsts8e5zS_R2g9rAGZ5zoLgp4NOf1DBrc/s1600-h/cat1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447756762653069922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyqG6o6dxrEWTWKSAOsyrZun_t1_j6j7KghqfO0DPUyeMcYwnjGbU5_PkkCv1w0lCTaCJNN4If0YteoujtULwjInC-_yEgR7b9AYalPumlTRsts8e5zS_R2g9rAGZ5zoLgp4NOf1DBrc/s400/cat1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Now: Meet Feral Cat.<br />
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Feral Cat crawls into the Spitfire because I left about a 6 inch gap in the door when I threw the stakes in after setting it up. The Spitfire is not free standing, so I figured I'd just put the two end stakes in--so that it would stand--but not fully stake it out, because after all, it was just airing out.<br />
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When Feral Cat gets into the Spitfire, she must have decided that it wasn't roomy enough for her and that she would rather be Out of the Spitfire. But Feral Cat is stupid or something because instead of crawling out of the little gap that she came in through, Feral Cat decides to start bouncing back and forth within the Spitfire. From one end to the other with claws out.<br />
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I see this going on through the window and run down to let Feral Cat out of the Spitfire. But instead of how I envisioned this rescue mission: open the door, Feral Cat runs out without any further trouble, it actually goes like this: Feral Cat sees me approach and breaks into an all out sprint--still inside the Spitfire--which just rips the stakes loose and collapses the Spitfire. Now Feral Cat is REALLY mad. Feral Cat continues to sprint, wrapped up inside the noseeum netting and nylon, all around the yard before landing on a pile of debris behind the laundry room. On top of an old rusty ironing board. At this point I'm able to grab onto one of the tent poles and slowly reach down and unzip the door. Feral Cat is free. Spitfire is down for the count.<br />
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Anyone have any suggestions on how to repair ripped noseeum netting (think dozens of dime to hand sized holes) and torn nylon?<br />
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Feral Cat 1, Spitfire 0The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-42229334232147155622012-03-25T08:10:00.005-07:002012-03-27T04:53:03.011-07:00Andrew Skurka 22 March 2012, Asheville NCI spent a day hanging out in Asheville, NC. I stayed at the <a href="http://www.sweetpeashostel.com/">Sweetpeas Hostel </a>right in the old-timey downtown area. Long lasting economic devastation started by the Depression ensured that historic buildings were preserved. Now there are hostels with historic brick walls and Urban Outfitters with vintage wood floors. Sweetpeas was alright as hostels go, it was expensive, brand new (Ikea!) and had lots of rules. Lots! (e.g. no alcohol or barefeet). Hostels, regardless of how many ridiculious rules they have, are great places to meet folks. I had my backpack stuffed under my bunk (no backpacks on beds! Rule!) and another guy in my room noticed. "Hey, do you do like, real wilderness backpacking?" "uhhh, yeah I guess so." I was brushing my teeth at the time, but really I was thinking "Thanks for noticing? Wanna know my baseweight?". Later, in the more appropriate environ of the swanky living room, we got to talking--FellowBackpaker and I (FB). He asked "Are you going to the Andrew Skurka talk tonight?" <a href="http://www.andrewskurka.com/">Andrew Skurka</a>! Is in town? Really? What luck.<br />
"No."<br />
"Oh, too bad. I saw his slideshow last night and it was really amazing. Tonight he is going to do a gear-talk"<br />
So we talked a bit. I use a tent, he uses a tarp. He did the same section (Amicalola to Franklin) last year that I'd just finished. Isn't the AT Cool? <br />
Eventually we decided that I would indeed like to go to the Andrew Skurka talk and that FB would give me a lift. I whiled the day away in Asheville. I went to see a Tragic foreign film at the local art-house-cinema, picked up the maps and guide for the North Carolina/Tennessee sections, a new CD (support music stores! yeah!) <a href="http://folkmusic.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/Note-Of-Hope-Woody-Guthrie.htm">A Note of Hope</a> (Because Woody Guthrie would have been 100 this year too) and drooled over some <a href="http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Ghost-Whisperer%E2%84%A2-Anorak/OM4625,default,pd.html">ultralightweight windshells </a>and then met up with FB again.<br />
<br />
The talk was at the <a href="http://www.groveparkinn.com/">Grove Park Inn</a>. Nice place. When I'm rich and famous I will stay there instead of hostels.<br />
<br />
For two hours AS wowed us with stories of Peril! Adventure! and Gear! AS had his gear spread out on a few folding tables. He's got a friendly presence and smiles easily. He was wearing jeans and a stylish black sweater with big buttons half way down the front and the collar turned up and, to my horror, <i>brown</i> leather shoes. I can forgive him for this, though. He is clean shaven and looks like he came from the farm next door. He credits his success in long-distance hiking partly to his appearance. "If I walk up to a farmer in Minnesota with a scraggly beard and say 'Hi I'm Paul Revere', it might not go so well."<br />
<br />
He begins his talk in this way:<br />
"You guys should see this," he started pulling off his shoe and sock. "I was running on the AT yesterday and...." His big toe was a black and blue swollen mess. Gasp from the audience.<br />
<br />
"Is it broken?"<br />
<br />
"I don't know," he put his sock and shoe back on. "I can walk on it so I guess it's okay".<br />
<br />
The audience was mainly old guys and a handful of Cub Scouts. AS asked at the beginning if anyone wanted to share who they were and why they were at the talk. "Because you're a celebrity" would have been my contribution, but I kept my mouth shut. Instead a loud Boy Scout leader stood up, "I'm a Boy Scout Master and our last trip was a disaster" I'm sure it was. <br />
<br />
The main point of the presentation was to introduce beginners to the types of gear you can carry to improve your experience. Beginners often carry foolproof gear (tents, water filters) anything that requires little skill to use properly. They also 'pack their fears' for extreme what-if scenarios. Both of these things increase the weight of the pack and thus decrease the ability to enjoy hiking. So you need skills--or the 'stuff between your ears'--to decrease the weight of your pack and increase the enjoyment of the hiking part of hiking--not necessarily the 'camping' part. AS can blow through 30 or 40 miles a day but the second he makes camp he's in his sleeping bag and sleeping--he only carries gear necessary for hiking, not for camping--mainly that's clothes and food. <br />
<br />
AS and I agree on many points. Our first aid kits, shorty sleeping pads supplemented with backpacks for foot insulation, cooking kit and water purification systems are identical. According to him, though, I could trim my weight significantly by switching from tent or hammock (foolproof!) to a tarp and from a full sleeping bag to just a quilt with a sewn in footbox (basically a sleeping bag missing the back half). Also, I could downsize my sock collection from three pairs to two. Of course, my system (tent, full sleeping bag and three pairs of socks) have served me well enough so far, but I can't help myself. I have a problem. I am tickled by the possibility that I might NEED more gear. AS SAID so and he is an Expert after all.<br />
<br />
AS describes his diet as "lots of snacks and bars, all containing some sort of chocolate, before a hot dinner of mashed potatoes or anything I can throw into hot water". He also pre-packages all his food in small ziplock bags. This would help to ensure that you knew exactly how many calories were going into your pack. The recommendation was 3,000 calories a day and carrying food dense in calories--at least 150 calories per ounce. (Assuming your food averages 125 calories per ounce, that's 1.5 pounds of food per day). Olive oil added to a dinner is a great way to add really dense calories at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
My pack was definitely heavier than it needed to be when I left Neel's Gap. It was 30 lbs (! I'm embarrassed to admit this) Unseasonably warm temperatures made my 20* down bag overkill--I sweated most nights--and I ate much less food than I anticipated. Whether or not I replace my sleeping bag and tent before I head back to Franklin I will be streamlining my food supply.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-87090869423202998572012-03-09T06:28:00.000-08:002012-03-09T06:28:44.219-08:00Ahhh!We're leaving Tomorrow! Today is all sweaty and nervous anticipation, tonight is packing food and tomorrow is the Big Drive.<br />
<br />
Here's a recipe for all of you out there in BlogLand to try.<br />
<br />
GadoGadoRamen,<br />
from Troop 48, With Love<br />
For 12 (!)<br />
<br />
In heavy duty freezer bag, pack individual ingredients:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>1 brick ramen </li>
<li>dehydrated carrots</li>
<li>(include the seasoning pack, but don't open it!)</li>
<li>3 tbs sunflower seeds</li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
In a small water bottle combine:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>3 tbs oil</li>
<li>12tbs soy sauce </li>
<li>12 tbs white vinegar</li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
in a separate bag (one per group/pot) combine<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>2tbs dehydrated onion</li>
<li>12tbs brown sugar</li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
You also need<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>clove of garlic</li>
<li>1/2 jar of peanutbutter (to taste)</li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
In Camp: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>Boil water.</li>
<li>Add 2ish cups of water to heavydutyfreezerbag and let ramen/carrots/sunflowerseeds incubate for ~15 minutes while you make sauce.</li>
</ul><ul><li>chop garlic, saute in a separate pot (you have more than one stove for 12 people, right?!) with a bit of oil (do you have a bottle of just oil?, maybe keep that separate)</li>
</ul><ul><li>add liquid and other saucy things</li>
<li>heat up, make it taste nice and pour it over your now-soft ramen+carrot mixture</li>
</ul></blockquote>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-86033169339660514562012-03-06T05:09:00.000-08:002012-03-06T05:09:14.723-08:00Happy 100th!to Oreos! NPR told me so. Hurrah! Oreos are going into my pack, for sure.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-9153895963803801002012-03-03T08:30:00.002-08:002012-03-03T08:30:22.378-08:00Schedule ChangeI've updated the rough-schedule. More on this later.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-64009316321786548852012-03-01T07:02:00.000-08:002012-03-01T07:02:08.151-08:00Le MenuOk, here's the Menu. or What the Youth are Eating These Days:<br />
<br />
1. Mac&Cheese + weiners. <br />
2. Tortellini + pesto + dried tomatoes<br />
3. GadoGado Spaghetti (Troop 48 style, adapted from NOLS style)<br />
4. Herbed Tomato Rice<br />
5. Italian Double Cheese Taters<br />
<br />
Yum.<br />
<br />
So, we have a resupply at the beginning of Day 2, so we can have 2 nights of heavy food (Mac&Cheese&weiners on top of Ol'Springer) hurrah.<br />
<br />
Also, I am about to begin a week of Serious Food Dehydrating. I will let you know how it goes (Pics or it didn't happen). I've never done this before...The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-70601057076641784882012-02-22T06:18:00.000-08:002012-02-22T06:18:14.893-08:00Freezer Bag CookingI'm digging around on the ol' Internets to find some recipes for the kids that are not 'gado gado spaghetti' which they would eat every single time if I let them because that's the one thing they know how to make.<br />
<br />
I think for this hike we're going to try to put together some freezer-bag meals--to help with portioning and avoid the "Wait, WHO is carrying the noodles?" only to realize that the noodles actually got left in the car (to be honest this has NEVER happened to us, save the unforgettable Nutella-gate of 2010 and the great oatmeal-famine of 2011). <br />
<br />
It will also allow us to cut down on dishes and allow us to feed more people more quickly -- there's only SO MUCH you can cook in 2 2L pots and we're going to be hiking in 2 groups of 6 people, so anyway we can streamline our cooking process is going to be important.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://extension.usu.edu/juab/files/uploads/FCS/Freezer%20Bag%20Recipes.pdf">Freezer Bag Recipes</a><br />
<br />
When the girls pick some out, I'll post them up here so you all can see what the Youth are eating These Days.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-75341816227255394812012-02-16T06:13:00.000-08:002012-02-16T06:13:16.750-08:00Cool song, cool video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rs8xPZnMkL4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs8xPZnMkL4&feature=youtube_gdata_player" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=Rs8xPZnMkL4&feature=youtube_<wbr></wbr>gdata_player</a></span>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-49105725851701512902012-02-15T10:22:00.000-08:002012-02-15T10:22:27.268-08:00Shuttles and Transportation InfoHey! Look what I just found! It's a cool PDF from the ATC <br />
<br />
This may help all you Eaglets out there in planning your trip...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs/default-document-library/2011/04/17/AT%20Shuttle%20List.pdf?Status=Master">Shuttle Contacts</a>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-2571087609519597732012-02-13T19:44:00.000-08:002012-02-13T19:44:22.998-08:00Hiking in the Swamp, A photo Essay.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJGzK2r0ZDxCvSoD4Yx4J599C0LmDQn6Sx-pSiuBoJWLVdm6nejsgmLFFQIwx17gFzbFE4B2k9Uw7z4OW8wWcCGRB-JtUL5LUkfpBANMKrSu5vrU-VM5nzH_Z1nNvBhj6EVky0HnHFoc/s1600/big_cypress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJGzK2r0ZDxCvSoD4Yx4J599C0LmDQn6Sx-pSiuBoJWLVdm6nejsgmLFFQIwx17gFzbFE4B2k9Uw7z4OW8wWcCGRB-JtUL5LUkfpBANMKrSu5vrU-VM5nzH_Z1nNvBhj6EVky0HnHFoc/s320/big_cypress1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start. 40 Degrees is COLD for Florida.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0hdZ99ctmH5vP7XIqj43OzWB7X8aoYRyXgssnQW0xZS5ktTr_Bq-jw2l_TDdJ6hC2viCDeOyOPRNziksynwniH_-K4vOWlxFEDL7jtjZeIKJC-i9xXwVyPUObcGjtEckEXUUN0ShNNY/s1600/big_cypress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0hdZ99ctmH5vP7XIqj43OzWB7X8aoYRyXgssnQW0xZS5ktTr_Bq-jw2l_TDdJ6hC2viCDeOyOPRNziksynwniH_-K4vOWlxFEDL7jtjZeIKJC-i9xXwVyPUObcGjtEckEXUUN0ShNNY/s320/big_cypress2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End. Somewhere in the middle, the camera's battery ran out. Maybe because someone left it on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGkpFe_Laqp4U-n13N2exwILznIqsvR4ucku47OsNtj35zATX1NKhLJEqvbxwhBGcfoHqR6WW30IxLJeqeJbwdASw85AMv7hLBQ7tTjQm2djPbfZVoS3oCGN96IWHJ3KRESqCedPUC0Y/s1600/big_cypress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGkpFe_Laqp4U-n13N2exwILznIqsvR4ucku47OsNtj35zATX1NKhLJEqvbxwhBGcfoHqR6WW30IxLJeqeJbwdASw85AMv7hLBQ7tTjQm2djPbfZVoS3oCGN96IWHJ3KRESqCedPUC0Y/s320/big_cypress3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have too much energy at the end. Should have left it all in the swamp. Harder hike for them next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3zrxbJXhBuypAkFJHL8iVSNYNYgCsplR8FgNifHUjJJ16Xwvjermded1_HAtFE8zbe9WbSCCw7DbQX-WTI8rV74EkjlGgTn3G7Cs8nXVighKFFsf3dhrd9F5yIZIU0LgaAWJMtIGxOw/s1600/big_cypress4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3zrxbJXhBuypAkFJHL8iVSNYNYgCsplR8FgNifHUjJJ16Xwvjermded1_HAtFE8zbe9WbSCCw7DbQX-WTI8rV74EkjlGgTn3G7Cs8nXVighKFFsf3dhrd9F5yIZIU0LgaAWJMtIGxOw/s320/big_cypress4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZhFwG-MkvY_MKZUKPT0jxyjsDZsnxcJwZTa4ZsW_rAUavG98SOgiGAZa3IA6mDU9qAUiwDaxrqac__MhVIdbcanQexBEa6dPiDZL1wJRb3JZRZZz2dli6LBg4OdsHsfJ2Qj8bYrx2WM/s1600/big_cypress5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZhFwG-MkvY_MKZUKPT0jxyjsDZsnxcJwZTa4ZsW_rAUavG98SOgiGAZa3IA6mDU9qAUiwDaxrqac__MhVIdbcanQexBEa6dPiDZL1wJRb3JZRZZz2dli6LBg4OdsHsfJ2Qj8bYrx2WM/s320/big_cypress5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, because they're MY scouts, pictures of feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-18284888402436019492012-01-31T09:45:00.001-08:002012-01-31T09:45:13.469-08:00PlaylistAlmost as important as gear: <br />
<br />
A list of tunes in no particular order (though maybe Going to Maine should be first):<br />
<br />
<style>
table { }td { padding-top: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-left: 1px; color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Verdana; vertical-align: bottom; border: medium none; white-space: nowrap; }.xl24 { font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 700; }.xl25 { font-size: 14pt; }ruby { }rt { color: windowtext; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Verdana; display: none; }
</style> <br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 942px;"><col width="296"></col> <col width="202"></col> <col width="369"></col> <col width="75"></col> <tbody>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl24" height="18" width="296">Name</td> <td class="xl24" width="202">Artist</td> <td class="xl24" width="369">Album</td> <td class="xl24" width="75">Year</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Long Way</td> <td class="xl25">Antje Duvekot</td> <td class="xl25">The Near Demise Of The Highwire Dancer</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2009</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Hard, Ain't It Hard</td> <td class="xl25">Woody Guthrie</td> <td class="xl25">This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings Vol. 1</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1997</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">The Littlest Birds</td> <td class="xl25">The Be Good Tanyas</td> <td class="xl25">Blue Horse</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2000</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Light Enough To Travel</td> <td class="xl25">The Be Good Tanyas</td> <td class="xl25">Blue Horse</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2000</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Cold Feet</td> <td class="xl25">Tracy Chapman</td> <td class="xl25">New Beginning</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1995</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">The easy way</td> <td class="xl25">Dar Williams</td> <td class="xl25">Promised Land</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2008</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Going to Tennessee</td> <td class="xl25">the Mountain Goats</td> <td class="xl25">Why You All So Thief?</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1994</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Walking For You</td> <td class="xl25">The Avett Brothers</td> <td class="xl25">A Carolina Jubilee</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2003</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Going to Maryland</td> <td class="xl25">the Mountain Goats</td> <td class="xl25">Beautiful Rat Sunset</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1996</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Going To Georgia</td> <td class="xl25">the Mountain Goats</td> <td class="xl25">Zopilote Machine</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1995</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">The Traveling Song</td> <td class="xl25">The Avett Brothers</td> <td class="xl25">A Carolina Jubilee</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2003</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Wave Over Wave</td> <td class="xl25">Great Big Sea</td> <td class="xl25">Up</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1996</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">This Land Is Your Land</td> <td class="xl25">Woody Guthrie</td> <td class="xl25">This Land Is Your Land: The Asch Recordings Vol. 1</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1997</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Going To Maine</td> <td class="xl25">the Mountain Goats</td> <td class="xl25">Ghana</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2002</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Hold It All At Bay</td> <td class="xl25">Girlyman</td> <td class="xl25">Joyful Sign</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2007</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Why Walk When You Can Fly</td> <td class="xl25">Mary Chapin Carpenter</td> <td class="xl25">Stones In The Road</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1994</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Mean Talking Blues</td> <td class="xl25">Woody Guthrie</td> <td class="xl25">Hard Travelin' (The Asch Recordings Vol. 3)</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1998</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Homeward Bound</td> <td class="xl25">Simon & Garfunkel</td> <td class="xl25">The Essential Simon & Garfunkel</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1966</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Night Rider's Lament</td> <td class="xl25">Nanci Griffith</td> <td class="xl25">Other Voices, Other Rooms</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1993</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Traveling Again</td> <td class="xl25">Dar Williams</td> <td class="xl25">Honesty Room</td> <td class="xl25"></td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Long Way Home</td> <td class="xl25">Raffa & Rainer</td> <td class="xl25">No Mercy</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2009</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Have You Ever</td> <td class="xl25">Brandi Carlile</td> <td class="xl25">The Story</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2007</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound</td> <td class="xl25">Nanci Griffith</td> <td class="xl25">Other Voices, Other Rooms</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1993</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">Tennessee Waltz / Tennessee Mazurka</td> <td class="xl25">The Chieftains & Tom Jones</td> <td class="xl25">The Long Black Veil</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1995</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">North Carolina Boys</td> <td class="xl25">Raffa & Rainer</td> <td class="xl25">No Mercy</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">2009</td> </tr>
<tr height="18"> <td class="xl25" height="18">The Mountains Win Again</td> <td class="xl25">Blues Traveler</td> <td class="xl25">Four</td> <td align="right" class="xl25">1994</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-76071812715033542232012-01-30T06:25:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:27:17.319-08:00Gear List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB8HzR_R3g3sKzsr9-pJyHP09QS920mD7tOeEmICFrFc6dO6Sxa8FZlguy8-Htnsz5SSgerarsL0EiIo8FYCgFdjxF7GmmRo9MX0LUBrkF_QbbSTU85baXceR7AxquWd9afHc2dJ8qM/s1600/gear1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvB8HzR_R3g3sKzsr9-pJyHP09QS920mD7tOeEmICFrFc6dO6Sxa8FZlguy8-Htnsz5SSgerarsL0EiIo8FYCgFdjxF7GmmRo9MX0LUBrkF_QbbSTU85baXceR7AxquWd9afHc2dJ8qM/s320/gear1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Most of my gear (not including food and water). Not shown: fleece jacket, hiking poles and 50' paracord.<br />
<br />
Here's the whole list:<br />
<br />
Pack--Granite Gear Vapor Ki<br />
20* Down sleeping bag<br />
Rain coat + Rain pants<br />
Tent--Eureka Spitfire + 4 v-shaped aluminum stakes (not the stock stakes, those are terrible)<br />
1.3 L titanium pot<br />
MSR simmerlite stove + fuel bottle<br />
Brunton compass<br />
Aluminum alloy spork<br />
Lexan mug<br />
AT data book<br />
2 t-shirts (the extra one is a luxury item, I guess, but I like to have a dry tshirt)<br />
midweight-polypro-longjohn top and bottoms <br />
SOL heatsheet (carrying this with the kids but I may ditch it later)<br />
Camp shoes<br />
Sunglasses<br />
Fleece hat<br />
Thermarest Neo-air shorty<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's take a closer look:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKj8-WoDA2GKN1mM6LeH6LPkYr313LmUCAcKKT1ys_6WQas8lb7LFFTiNaB8-B04vnaLmbHhj20TbxYPx0waELRDlgjhfJnWmVVzirlPE8RbhujWx0y5GXK1pxpQt9__83raOVzz1UUQ/s1600/gear2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKj8-WoDA2GKN1mM6LeH6LPkYr313LmUCAcKKT1ys_6WQas8lb7LFFTiNaB8-B04vnaLmbHhj20TbxYPx0waELRDlgjhfJnWmVVzirlPE8RbhujWx0y5GXK1pxpQt9__83raOVzz1UUQ/s320/gear2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> 3 pairs socks<br />
Katadyn Hiker water filter<br />
Electronics: SPOT, Phone, Camera + chargers<br />
Zipka headlamp<br />
Hiking pants<br />
bandana<br />
fleece gloves<br />
hand sanitizer<br />
1 oz castile soap<br />
matches + lighter<br />
2L water bladder<br />
small first aid kit (more on this later)<br />
toothbrush + toothpaste + glasses + contact soln (that's in the green bag)<br />
hiking boots<br />
Knee high gaitors<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXO9tyq5pBjbr-TPZ3aoiWfryvyi53GSNqngHoYyPc0lt73zfOxx1792yHpr02b_p71gJ9Jkl4vfvbn6_2QI84jIWBEqtC0mYzy6ky2rpm0wq6X77-napRYcnDi_HL_40DD2uQhzOv4Q/s1600/gear3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXO9tyq5pBjbr-TPZ3aoiWfryvyi53GSNqngHoYyPc0lt73zfOxx1792yHpr02b_p71gJ9Jkl4vfvbn6_2QI84jIWBEqtC0mYzy6ky2rpm0wq6X77-napRYcnDi_HL_40DD2uQhzOv4Q/s320/gear3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
All this gear puts my base weight around ~15 lbs.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-12963187821031806152012-01-27T09:47:00.001-08:002012-01-27T09:47:39.716-08:00In other newsI figured out the table. Yes, I'm answering entries to the form on the Schedule page now.<br />
<br />
cheers<br />
Captain.The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-80279706600470075242012-01-27T07:43:00.000-08:002012-01-27T07:43:03.668-08:00Wet feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQarOJsMymJrv_oSV1g0G-wXqmyTihmhNEGzJPkMu6K2bPzqLsGPG9jc-9f4RM-uIwTohisKPoFFSf4yaebQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
One thing I cannot abide, is wet feet. Unfortunately it's a fairly frequent occurrence when hiking outside (contrasted with hiking inside, where one rarely gets their feet wet). There are ways to deal with wet feet. Rubber boots. Foot-ectomy. You'refineyoulikeit. and so on. Here's my system for inundated feet:<br />
1. After my feet get wet, I stop and dump the water out of my shoes.<br />
2. Wring out socks. If I'm at camp: replace with dry socks and put feet into camp shoes. If I'm not at camp put wet socks back on. Suffer.<br />
3. Sometimes I put my dry feet and dry socks into plastic bags inside my wet shoes. This is called the Vapor Barrier Method and it's also very useful for staying warm. This is a good technique if I'm wearing tennis-shoes because the heat from my feet will dry my shoes before my feet get soaked with sweat. There's a trade off though--because plastic is impermeable to water (the point!) my feet sometimes get quite sweaty which can also cause wet feet! Conundrum, I know!<br />
<br />
Other folks have different methods. Here's a new one I'm interested in trying: <a href="http://thunderinthenight.blogspot.com/2011/09/forty-six-2-evolving-footwear-systems.html">Neoprene socks </a>Little wetsuits for your feet!<br />
<br />
Here's a picture of one of my scouts demonstrating this skill:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfUeyZU42AXmDUSXikiKx20ll9Cp6ZRXLsw6jTIJ8VQw8CXr2EpFUqoc-AOJg-CuVqtvaPM29thWXeVlkL0iaYnnK2Q5j8i5DOR3efKLkgm09qnCRU6tx5DADTcHEJdICwhTqlSvFVWE/s1600/gigi_feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfUeyZU42AXmDUSXikiKx20ll9Cp6ZRXLsw6jTIJ8VQw8CXr2EpFUqoc-AOJg-CuVqtvaPM29thWXeVlkL0iaYnnK2Q5j8i5DOR3efKLkgm09qnCRU6tx5DADTcHEJdICwhTqlSvFVWE/s320/gigi_feet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had a big problem with keeping my feet dry a few years ago when I was in Ireland. I also didn't stop as often as I should have to take care of my feet. As a result I got a nasty case of what I think may have been Immersion Foot (trench foot) which is probably one of the most painful things I've experienced.<br />
<br />
Right before I went to Ireland, I was given a video camera. I took MANY (tm) videos. By the end of the trip, most of these videos were closeups of my feet. I made a little montage for you. Viewer Discretion is Advised. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwSOMmB5zMWwNWnjkKA3l5zaD_mB_6j-Yx73-Q98SWY33zjT34dQUd3EHF1u632_DSckEsHY0aNDU1ZvC4XLQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-79749710407707275222012-01-26T07:48:00.000-08:002012-01-26T07:48:35.004-08:00A sticky situationSo I tried <i>Really Hard</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> (tm) </span>to make <a href="http://hrxxlight.com/?p=1343">Toothpaste Dots</a> . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDjjk0B3ShRoIGJYGMPxnFl07Xwr_IWP3JwwzKxrQa4DqGo_uyTR7ow_Yv2K6ioYSy3cA8ty3-ghwPYuZbeNvqxw3CJtcGZpYvNBy70DzWOsl7c1zfnboXEoof96WMvI7DLOmfHP4NIc/s1600/toothpaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDjjk0B3ShRoIGJYGMPxnFl07Xwr_IWP3JwwzKxrQa4DqGo_uyTR7ow_Yv2K6ioYSy3cA8ty3-ghwPYuZbeNvqxw3CJtcGZpYvNBy70DzWOsl7c1zfnboXEoof96WMvI7DLOmfHP4NIc/s320/toothpaste.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I daubbed them onto wax paper, shoved them on top of the frige for the week and all I got was a sticky, dusty, mess of slightly dehydrated toothpaste. I guess Miami isn't the best place for this sort of DIY. <br />
<br />
But it's a great idea for anyone who isn't in Humidityville, USA. <br />
<br />
Maybe my Mom will make me some?The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-38305972765308836472012-01-24T03:28:00.000-08:002012-01-24T03:28:41.345-08:00Important pointsThings I find myself repeating. Over and Over. And Over.<br />
<br />
Or, the anatomy of backpacking with middle schoolers...<br />
<br />
1. It's called the 'Ground' when you're outside.<br />
2. Ounces add up to Pounds, pounds add up to Suffering.<br />
3. Cotton kills.<br />
4. Saddle up.<br />
5. Daylight's burning.<br />
<br />
and some <a href="http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?14493-observations-from-fs42-%28advice-for-first-week-on-trail%29">tips from the Whiteblaze.net</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">OK, I just got back from Forest Service Road 42 at the foot of Springer. I saw about 150 people begin their long distance journey to Maine (not including section hikers). Some observations/suggestions for those planning a long distance hike on the AT:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">1. I’m sure this has alot of opinions, but the bottom line is that the approach trail is not part of the AT. Somebody is dropping you off somewhere. Add an extra hour to your driving trip and say your goodbyes at FS42. Stop at the State Park visitor center for directions, sign-in, weigh your pack, etc. Although FS42 is a dirt/gravel road, the preferred route that most people take is passable by cars.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">2. Too many people with heavy packs. If your pack weighs more than 50 pounds, it weighs too much (30 pounds or less is desirable). If you are unable to get below 50#, ensure you have 2 crisp hundred dollar bills included in that weight. When you finally make it to Mountain Crossings @ Walasi-Yi (Neels Gap), find the nearest employee and hand him/her your 200 bucks. You’ll need it for a new backpack, sleeping bag or tent (possibly all three, not to mention resupply and the heavy box of gear that you‘ll be mailing home). It is highly likely that you will spend alot of money there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">**On this note, remember that ounces add up to pounds. While going over your gear, keep track of how many times you’ve thought “Hey, it is only a few ounces.”.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">**Still on this note, I would suggest a pre-trip to Mountain Crossings, if it is at all possible. Preferably at least a year before you start and when there are likely to be hikers there. It would also be best to visit <i>before</i> making major gear purchases (backpack, sleeping bag, tent). Discussions with employees and hikers will help solidify your gear decisions and save you money. While there, ask what was the most any one hiker spent.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">3. Many hikers start on or after the 1st day of Spring. Unfortunately, that does not mean instant warm weather. It will be cold and the possibility of snow still exists (don’t forget the Smokies). Ensure you have appropriate cold weather gear (including long pants). Another interesting thing about spring is that leaves don’t appear over night. Until the leaves arrive, when the sun is out you are exposed all day long. Bring some sunscreen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">**During your pre-trip to Mountain Crossings, observe sunburned hikers. OUCH!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">4. The weekends are busy on Springer. Start during the week. If you do start on the weekend understand that upwards of 60 other hikers will also be starting (on 4/1/06 and 4/2/06, I counted 29 (Sat) and 35 (Sun) at FS42). The shelters (and tent sites) will definitely be crowded (as well as the hostel at Neels Gap).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">5. Climbing rope is extreme overkill for bear rope (you don’t need to haul your entire backpack up a tree). 50 feet of nylon cord (parachute cord or 550 cord - whatever you want to call it) is sufficient. Nor do you need those huge carabiners that usually accompany climbing rope. Although required in several places on the PCT, bear canisters are NOT required on the AT. Areas that have heavy bear concentrations have appropriate systems for hanging food (and other aromatic items). GA and GSMNP have cable pulleys. SNP has poles and NJ has metal boxes. A sil-nylon stuff sack will work for food bag.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">6. Saws, axes, Rambo/hunting knives can be left at home (unless you plan on wrasslin’ a b’ar as part of the evenings entertainment at the shelter). A small knife (with tweezers for pulling out those tiny ticks up North) for slicing bagels and spreading peanut butter is perfect.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">7. Another piece of useless gear is a camp chair/stool. A camp chair/stool is nice for camping. However, you’ll be hiking more than camping. When you stop for the day, you fix dinner (while talking gear with other hikers, who are also carrying too much) and then you go to sleep. If you stay at shelters (which most do) there will be somewhere to sit down.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">8. Nalgene bottles. Almost everyone carries two or three of them (sometimes clipped to back of pack with large carabiners). Nalgenes are heavy and bulky. Consider a collapsible water reservoir which is lighter, holds more water and can be rolled up when empty. Of course, for drinking on the go you will also have a water bladder with a drinking tube.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">9. Crocs/Waldies. Very comfortable and very lightweight. Enough said. Buy them before your hike and save the money it’ll cost to mail home your heavy sandals.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">10. It takes approximately 4 days to get to Neels Gap (30.6 mi) from Springer. That means you only need enough food for approx 4 days. Anymore more than that only increases pack weight. Of course, err on the side of caution. If you are uncertain of your daily mileage, carry an extra day of food.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Anyway, these tips have absolutely no bearing on whether or not you make it to Katahdin. Hopefully, they will make your first week a little more enjoyable and save you some money. I’m sure you don’t want to blow half of your budget on day 4.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">See you on the trail,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Impact;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">mt squid.</span></span></span></span></span></span>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-84360056785729002482012-01-23T04:18:00.000-08:002012-01-23T04:18:31.053-08:00Time to get serious...Hi! It's been years, I know. I've lost track of days... It's close though.<br />
<br />
We're on the home-stretch now. My girls are selling cookies like crazy to make the money for the trek to Georgia, we've been hiking and preparing and fixing/replacing our gear for months.<br />
<br />
Now the fun parts: gear lists, schedules, musings on technical details and working out who's meeting us where.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CtvbaiAds1V9ETCrazcVOMDnzViMpVfihLeiAyxMfYeTKd5qxsqMEx78orrCMmh65MibQ7WmY3lcvUN2PvnOk2AukVJb-zUKb2mfSXl3C46hQWY5tRrKfhfmmob66stBkMjGAWbxVUg/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CtvbaiAds1V9ETCrazcVOMDnzViMpVfihLeiAyxMfYeTKd5qxsqMEx78orrCMmh65MibQ7WmY3lcvUN2PvnOk2AukVJb-zUKb2mfSXl3C46hQWY5tRrKfhfmmob66stBkMjGAWbxVUg/s1600/water.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing the fine skills of boot drying and hiking in wet feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqg3XhCifrOZVS3nYjOQLRV1-bB1VJOMACfOMj9KlAbKpU-5hpKckJOz2J4Xpnb7BLSPRWPf2VkRpzUfl7zcrsHjkt8jBXzf9KOqNNqInWpt2XKkdO9b81iYW7keqiivAto0AhP9i40/s1600/eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDqg3XhCifrOZVS3nYjOQLRV1-bB1VJOMACfOMj9KlAbKpU-5hpKckJOz2J4Xpnb7BLSPRWPf2VkRpzUfl7zcrsHjkt8jBXzf9KOqNNqInWpt2XKkdO9b81iYW7keqiivAto0AhP9i40/s320/eating.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mastering the art of backpacking meals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyLAyId-I1zWq0gME-3pvg82WA84Ene95EN1smhitph8hlylTlo5WGxfEm7JE1agTNeNG321MljIzqtQ_aLuNcxB6R3kEpoteZPPQdxm5PFaEDZMgIHzAoQ4L52EzRC2qYtBBCSwM1GU/s1600/the_captain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyLAyId-I1zWq0gME-3pvg82WA84Ene95EN1smhitph8hlylTlo5WGxfEm7JE1agTNeNG321MljIzqtQ_aLuNcxB6R3kEpoteZPPQdxm5PFaEDZMgIHzAoQ4L52EzRC2qYtBBCSwM1GU/s320/the_captain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">urban hiking in Miami</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977777745615948875.post-75674253701238675022011-10-17T07:14:00.001-07:002011-10-17T07:14:39.625-07:00Day Hike. Day -148We went on our first long hike of the year last weekend. The weather was pleasant--which was a nice change from the torrential downpour we camped in the weekend before (Day -155, -154)--we had breezes and cloud cover to keep us cool(ish). This is still Florida after all.<br />
<br />
We went up to <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson/">Jonathan Dickinson State Park</a> and hiked the East Loop. It's a 9.8 mile loop that passes by the Scrub Jay campsite at mile 5.5. We stopped for lunch there because there is a well with water (must be treated), benches to sit on and a composting toilet. <br />
<br />
The trail is mostly flat and in the open. There are a few spots where there is some shade, but the park is mainly sand, scrub and dead trees. The first 2.3 miles of the East Loop out towards Scrub Jay has a bit of up and down over some sand dunes. <br />
<br />
All the rain last weekend filled up the little dips in the trail and we had more of a swamp slog than we anticipated. The girls learned the value of proper hiking shoes and why we wear long socks. (ie: dry feet and fire-ant/cactus/thorn encounters).<br />
<br />
We encountered wildlife:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzfOU-dVHf8DDzK33DvnYzM26dVtOWLgly2anzPDcr2PJosxmAYALBTYxkuByrtfcEp6dXpC7ZGpVfGIKJ1sr0BLmBiDL5OUOp8W-Fhd-lD49YUWwjIXUCS6oRh3iMI_7pBDLSP_SNU/s1600/329448_10150339481783063_608298062_8416405_667863160_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEzfOU-dVHf8DDzK33DvnYzM26dVtOWLgly2anzPDcr2PJosxmAYALBTYxkuByrtfcEp6dXpC7ZGpVfGIKJ1sr0BLmBiDL5OUOp8W-Fhd-lD49YUWwjIXUCS6oRh3iMI_7pBDLSP_SNU/s320/329448_10150339481783063_608298062_8416405_667863160_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And found a little bit of shade, but not much:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVfNTpfXsZwMfXT_V6oaOYCfbv5diSVTJGDnpfNNA4cvOYCjGSJs3Y7NcZ4YfRkGbtkfNozVmSgKzysmcF9Lh_xIHwDtNMCyH_AetSzb-3IBPoKAcdmoMNBAEhJJHLNJioxah-U_pTsU/s1600/338024_10150339478413063_608298062_8416375_1943946948_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVfNTpfXsZwMfXT_V6oaOYCfbv5diSVTJGDnpfNNA4cvOYCjGSJs3Y7NcZ4YfRkGbtkfNozVmSgKzysmcF9Lh_xIHwDtNMCyH_AetSzb-3IBPoKAcdmoMNBAEhJJHLNJioxah-U_pTsU/s320/338024_10150339478413063_608298062_8416375_1943946948_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Captainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05590710276996040560noreply@blogger.com0