Author: jpetesd

MGCC is located in Bel Air, MD. We lived near there and were members there from 2004 – 2011.

We (well, OK, mostly me) had some epic times there. We still have some great friends there.

They are showing their support through many pledges to the charities I’m hiking for and this unique tracking system (below). Wouldn’t be surprised if there are some games of chance also being played!

Thanks to everyone at MGCC for your support. I’ll see you in September for Member/Guest unless T-Ball fires me!!

Day 5 Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap (16.7 miles)

Caught a shuttle from Hiawasee to Unicoi Gap (where I finished yesterday). Before I left hotel I booked room for 2 more nights. Weather tomorrow is bad. Thursday not much better. I’m ready for a zero day. Legs are pretty dead after today’s long hike. Won’t hike tomorrow and will decide on Thursday sometime tomorrow. Hotels around here are packed as lots of people getting off trail.

Some of the people on my shuttle this AM pictured below. Note the big German dude in the kilt!

This is the AT plaque at Unicoi Gap.

Lot of steep ups and downs today. Probably why I’ll have a tough time getting out of bed tomorrow!

This is from top of Rocky Mtn (elev 4017). That was a gain in elevation of 1100 feet in 1.4 miles. My exact thought while taking this pic “I hope the Trail doesn’t go over peak in distance”.

This is from the top of Tray Mtn (elev 4430). 3 more mountains to cross then downhill to Dicks Gap.

Finished hiking about 4:30. Hiawasee is about 11 miles from Dicks Gap and was going to try to hitch a ride but a shuttle driver pulled up right away and gave me ride for $10.

Looking forward to a day of rest for my feet and legs…and to watching storm from indoors vs tent!

Happy trails!

Day 4 Lower Gap shelter to Unicoi Gap (9.7 miles)

Well, they were right about the rain. Started at 6 AM and light rain with some downpours mixed in all day.

Started out shortly before 8 AM. Yesterday was physically challenging. Today very mental. The below is early AM light rain with a little fog.

I have a rain poncho that covers myself and pack. Sounds good in theory but was a pain. Very difficult to get on by yourself. Tried putting on before and after I had pack on. Neither good…but everything pretty dry.

It may be difficult to see in photo below but the trail was virtually a river on steeper portions.

At Unicoi Gap I was able to get a ride from a shuttle driver to Hiawasee, GA. Staying at Budget Inn tonight. $40 cash rate. Been able to shower, wash a load of clothes, and eat at Subway. Living large!

Almost forgot…and getting a pizza delivered to go with my 6 pack of Bud.

Hoping to make 16.7 miles tomorrow. If I can, will be able to sleep in a bunkhouse. Weather is supposed to be good tomorrow but iffy rest of week.

Happy trails!

April 2 (Day 3) Neel Gap to Low Gap 11.5 miles

Hit the trail about 10 this AM. Not a lot of miles because of late start and rough terrain. Crossed 4 mountains today! That’s a lot of ups and downs!

The smoke you see in photo below is taken from Levelland Mtn. Quite a ways from my location but doesn’t look very contained!

This is Cowrock Mtn. Met a guy (Randy?) around here dressed in camouflage. Hunting turkey and wild boar. Said will only shoot boar if within a mile of where he can drive to.

My destination was 6.5 miles from Cowrock. Randy? warned me that a couple of springs I was hoping to get water from were dry a month ago.

They were! Luckily I ran into Randy? at a parking area I passed through. He gave me his extra water as he was done hunting for the day. Trail Angel. I would have been in tough shape if not for him.

Tortillas have become my staple at meal time. I’ve had plain tortillas, and tortillas with deer jerky, tuna, and peanut butter. Tonight I got a little wild and made freeze dried beef stew. Pretty tasty!

Supposed to rain tomorrow. That sucks. Some people are going to spend day at shelter/campsite. I plan to hike as of now.

42.9 miles down! Happy Trails!

April 1 Justus Creek to Neel Gap

Got packed up and moving shortly after 8 this AM.

1.8 miles down the trail I reached Gooch Mtn Shelter.  There is a privy there.  Much preferred to holes in the woods!

Shortly after Gooch Mtn is Gooch Gap. Gaps are basically valleys between mountains. You go down to the Gap and then up another Mtn. This is Ramrock Mtn (elevation 3222 ft). Not high by western standards but there are some physically challenging stretches.

Uphill vs downhill…Both kind of suck! Uphill kills your lungs. Downhill hurts your feet, knees, thighs and hips.

I’ve been drinking water straight from streams. Crystal clear, cold, and tastes great. Not purifying yet because it tastes too good. Only getting from higher elevations.

Had lunch at top of Big Cedar Mtn (elev 3737). Met 3 young thru-hikers. Shared some of my snacks with them as I am carrying way too much food. They thought deer jerky was “righteous”!

Big decision of hike so far…Bear canisters required for camping between miles 26.4 and 31.4. I don’t have canister (too heavy) so stop before or stretch it through. These 5 miles would be over tallest mountain in GA so would probably take at least 3 hrs. Decided if I got to beginning of area by 3PM I’d go for it. Got there right at 3 and went!

Brutal hike up Blood Mtn. Got to top about 5. Below is shelter on top of Mtn. Very nice structure but if sleeping there it is concrete floor. Definitely not a Marriott!

Hike down the mountain took slightly more than an hour. Just slightly enough that I missed chance for shower, laundry, and bunk by 3 minutes. There is an outfitter with a bunk house at Gap. Unfortunately for me they closed at 6PM. I’m camping tonight about 1/4 of mile from there so will walk in and at least get a Coke in AM.

Couple of good blisters today, one on inside of each heel. Other than that, feel good.

Neel Gap is the spot where 25% of thru-hikers quit. So I kicked their butts!!

March 31 Springer Mt to Justus Creek (14.3 miles).

Hiked first mile with Kris, Brooke and Kerri.
Lower elevations (below 3000 ft) was like walking thru a forest of rhododendrons. Not flowering yet but sure spectacular when they do.

Had a snack and break at Long Creek Falls. Very cool.

6.2 miles in I ran into my first “Trail magic”. A group of local people had table with drinks and snacks. As I had just eaten something 1/2 hr before I just enjoyed a Coke and a chair (which felt great).

There are a lot of places to stealth camp (not in designated spots). Some look to me like high odds of sharing with bears!

Arrived at Justus Creek about 5:15. This was my optimistic ending point for day. Didn’t know if I was going to make it there as supposed to cross dirt road 1 mile from Creek/campsite. Didn’t see that road but saw a place by a Creek that looked campable. Just set my pack down and a hiker came down from campsite to get water. This was Justus Creek thankfully.

Got tent set up, had some deer jerky and in bed by 6:30. Physically feeling good. No blisters yet.