Category: The Hike

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... Continue reading →

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... Continue reading →

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... Continue reading →

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.... Continue reading →

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.... Continue reading →

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... Continue reading →

Day 6 Hiawasee, GA Zero Day It kind of stinks to hike 0 miles but the weather today has been rain with tornado watches. Glad I'm not out in that plus has been good rest for feet and legs. Weather tomorrow is more rain plus getting colder. Chance of snow Th night/Fri AM. I've decided... Continue reading →

Day 7 Hiawasee, GA Zero Day Spent the afternoon watching the Masters. Ready to get rolling tomorrow AM. Feel all rested and a lot fresher legs. Supposed to be cold but that only matters at night (low 30's Fri night). Some random thoughts from a bored hiker: It's always nice to run into hikers you've... Continue reading →

Day 8 Dicks Creek Gap to Standing Indian Skelter (16.7 miles) Took shuttle back out to trail and was hiking at 9AM. Felt good to be moving again.   It's cold (low 30's) and windy. First day I've hiked in a jacket. Gloves on too. One side of Mtn you can't even feel wind. Other... Continue reading →

Day 9 Standing Indian Shelter to Long Branch Shelter (16.3 miles) It was a very cold night (guessing low 20's) to be trying to sleep in a tent. Emphasis on trying. Wore all my clothes, plus jacket, stocking cap, and gloves, inside sleeping bag. Not a fun night. Started walking by 9 and it was... Continue reading →