DTX and Nantahala Brewing Co.

So yesterday we rolled into the Nantahala Outdoor Center got a cabin for 7 of us, grabbed a few cases of beer and sat by the river until the rain drove us inside. After a shower we went to the restaurant where I had another one pound burger, and decided we would catch a ride with one of the guys at the general store to the brewery at 5 when he got off. So we all piled into his truck which had tons of A.T. stickers on it and got out 13 miles later at the brewery. ALL of their beers were named for the trail, trail magic, atx, dirty blonde girl, and they were all amazing! The brew master Greg, whose trail name when he hiked was yazee, gave me a glass of his newest IPA Springer Sunrise which was great. Around 10 we all started to crash so I walked up to a good looking blonde who recently walked in and started talking to her, turns out she was the Lt. Detective of Bryson City and was more than happy to give us ALL a ride back so we piled into her little car and made it back! Today is St. Patties day so back to the brewery!ride

Snarf Snarf

So throughout my trip I have been passing people. I passed Charlie, I passed a girl wearing five fingers, who looked like she might roll an ankle. I passed a girl from boulder, co, I have just been cruising the entire trip. And yesterday I was at a shelter debating wether or not to go to the next shelter, and the face of a new girl came walking in. She was nice and we chatted for a while and she said she had friends coming, so I decided to stay for the night. I heard someone coming and she greeted him as good deeds and as he walked into view it was Charlie, half an hour later, a warm Busch light, and about 5 more people later I was a member of " the frat party " consisting of pretty much everyone I'd passed the past few days. The next morning good deeds and I were hiking up the mountain and he said he needed a snack, but said snack in cookie monsters voice, so I said Snarf Snarf. After hearing that and my tale the night before about eating a 1lb burger in about 5 minutes, he said I'm gonna call you Snarf. Definitely looking forward to Nantnahala tomorrow to snarf down another burger, and hit up Nantnahalia Brew Company for some beers with the frat party. Delta Tau Chi.

The Rainforest

So 2 days ago was my wettest, longest, most beautiful day yet. I woke up on a mountain, and decided today I will push myself. I walked into the rain and fog, which was so thick you could only see a few feet. As I continued through the mist I kept on noticing the tunnels I was being forced through, it was like my own little world. I have never been to a rainforest but this is exactly how I imagined one to be. Apparently Mooney gap is one of the wettest places in the eastern US. At one point the trail climbs 600 vertical feet in .3 miles to the top of a mountain, I threw my hiking stick up the trail and literally climbed up the rock face. At the top I let out a victorious, barbaric YALP into the thick fog and continued. Throughout the next 11 miles I got absolutely soaked with rain, to the bone! That day I Passed from GA to NC, passed my 100 mile mark, received my first bit of trail magic (cookies), and hiked 25 miles, the next I only did 4 and it felt great.

A night in town!

So a few days ago I got my much needed giant hamburger, beer, and a soft bed. My parents met me in Hiawassee, Ga and needless to say my mom had some questions so here they are:
Is there an average age on the trail?
Not really I've met people from their late 60s to teens.
How do you stay warm at night?
My down sleeping bag, and polyester liner, if it's really cold and I'm sleeping in a shelter I will put something under me like my jacket or tent rain fly.
Do you have any blisters?
One on my heel but it's not bad.
Are you sore?
Yes, my neck almost more that anything from looking down making sure I don't trip on anything, but my legs are a little sore as  well.
Were you scared the first night?
I thought I would be but there were so many people at the shelter it was no big deal.
How many times have you built a fire?
Twice both times after it had been raining.
Have you slept in a shelter every night?
No prob about half the time I'm in my tent.
Do you get cold during the day?
No actually when I'm hiking I'm almost always sweating.
What did you mail yourself?
Freeze dried food, bagels, pb, granola, and honey, 6 lbs worth.
What is a privy?
A potty.
Do you have a trail name?
Not yet I want to earn it.
How many girls are on the trail?
Fewer than I would like, I have probably see 8 girls.
Have you fallen down?
No, but I have slipped on a wet root or 2.
What do you miss the most?
Something soft to sit or lay on.
Do you get lonely?
No
How do you pass the time?
I'm a goalie I'm pretty good at killing time, most of the time I sing. Disney songs or Country, not entire songs just what sticks in my head. A little afro man every now and then lol.
Tell me about the people you've met.
I met Machete Mitch who was in the 82nd airborne, a 65 year old retired NY firefighter from the Bronx, a chess master, and a marine sniper, among others.
If any one else has questions please ask!

You don't have to be faster than the bear

Ok, I've been out here 5 days, my lungs are great, my legs are great, but my left knee has been bugging me. Seems like after I hike a while to get better but it's always stiff when I start... yes dad I'm stretching. Well, since I last posted I have spent another night with Machete Mike, who is kind of a "celebrity" out here everyone seems to have stories about him. I have spent 2 days in the rain, building fires both nights, done another 15 mile day during which I summitted 3 mountains, Blue, Rocky, and Tray. I have met and hiked with 2 guys one of which I plan to meet up with again Sunday, the other was about 60 and an ex NYC firefighter who had to return to his wife. Today I only did 8 miles but I did it in about 3 hours tackling 4200 ft Kelly's knob. Tomorrow I have a short 2 mile hike to meet my parents, shower, do laundry, and get my much thought about giant cheeseburger, with a pitcher or 2 of beer.

1 night with Machete Mike

We all know someone who "knows everything" someone who is always right, argumentative, and stubborn. For some reason or another, I thought I'd left them all in society... wrong! I guess they are everywhere. I think of myself as a non -argumentative person, someone who avoid confrontation. Don't get me wrong I have an opinion but have learned over the years to just keep it to myself, unless it involves tim tebow, the florida gators, or pickles (all of which I would be happy to never hear about again). But I digress, after hiking 7/10ths of a mile with 700 vertical feet gained in 20 minutes. I saw a sign that said shelter 1.2 miles as the sun was setting and the temperature dropping I booked it to Whitley Gap Shelter making it there right as the sun dropped below the horizon. I was happy to see a fire upon my arrival, and thought nothing of the only other person there digging a hole next to a tree. With a 3 foot machete... he introduced him self as night walker and asked where I was from, after explaining Knoxville but Denver now he asked if I knew Lumpy? A strange question to which I responded no, and he told me he hated Lumpy because he tried to make him buy a sleeping bag at Neel's Gap. Apparently Machete Mike
aka night walker did not have, want or need a sleeping bag much to Lumpy's chagrin. Feeling the temp. dropping, and sensing this would be my coldest night yet I asked Machete Mike if he planned on placing rocks in the fire, then his hole and sleeping on that, which he was and proceeded telling me how the natives used to use this trick. He was unsure however, as to how deep to bury the rocks, I suggested 6-8 inches which he told me was much to deep and dug his hole about 3 inches deep 5 feet long. As I was cooking he explained how he was ex military, and that he wanted his own survival show so he was video taping everything he did because no one ever believed him. He then told me he lost his flashlight, and half his food, and how Lumpy would not sell him a flashlight after the shop was closed... working in retail I understand there is nothing worse than someone showing up 5 minutes after we close demanding service. He also told me that last year on the trail he was attacked by a bear, which I'm sure was a great story but not one I wanted to hear. I asked instead if he planned on hiking the whole trail, which he answered yes but I have a feeling I won't make it. Which I also left alone, he proceeded to tell me how he was right all the time which I agreed with, and decided on that note to go to bed. I felt strangely comfortable knowing that Machete Mike was there to fend off any wild creatures with his 3 foot machete, and quite nervous that I might wake up with a 3 foot machete in my back. 10 minutes later I heard Machete Mike yell, I quickly rolled over to see him hopping around with a finger in his mouth and a grimace. I asked him if he was ok, he told me he burned his hand on one of the rocks he put in the fire, and then reported to me that they were indeed, hot. I covered my head with my sleeping bag and had a quiet chuckle as I drifted to sleep. I was awakened again at 5:30 to the sound of Machete Mike filming his "bed" and explaining that the more the wind blew the more it stoked the fire and the warmer he got. I rolled over and thought of one last piece of advice Machete Mike gave me the night before, if your feet are warm the rest of your body can take care of itself. I wouldn't be terribly disappointed to have that be my last encounter with Machete Mike.

First day

So today was my first day on the trail... finally. I had a great breakfast at my aunt's house in Atlanta then my parents drove me to Springer mt. At the visitors center I signed in and laughed when I noticed the other's handwriting in the sign in log was just as terrible as  mine. When I started on the trail head I left a tearful mom and envious dad but was happy to finally get going. I hiked 7.8 miles to the first shelter in about 3 hours passing lots of what seemed to be day hikers,one with a creepy dolls head on top of his pac. I was passed by one gnarly guy with an A.T. tattoo on his leg. However, when I got to the shelter the "day hikers" appeared to be setting up camp, there were probably 15 people there! Not what I had in mind, so I checked how far the next shelter was... 7.2 miles. The gnarly guy, Charlie, noticed me and said it's not that far to the next shelter wanna go for it we should get in right around sun set? So he and I set off on our 7 mile trek and with 1 mile or so to go and my body beginning to tire, and belly beginning to growl he said only half a mile to go. It was the longest half mile ever! But we made it to the shelter right at sun down, ate, and both decided to sleep in and not to do another long day tomorrow.