Training Log Archive: dlevine

Appalachian Trail Section Hike

Neel Gap to Low Gap Shelter

Theresa got some blister therapy at the outfitters store and we got a late start. Up the hill, we passed some boy scouts and then joined them for a snack. We went on and having done our "bad climb" of the day, we stopped for snack by the turnoff to Whitney Gap Shelter. Scouts came by in pairs and threes until the leaders finally came through "sweeping the trail" and telling us that they were having lunch in Testanee Gap. So, we passed them again there and proceeded up towards Poor Mountain. Along the mostly flat top, we began the hear thunder and then the rains came! On with the new pack covers, but we skipped the rain gear. We got wet - and then hailed upon! The trail became a stream of the type we were more familiar with from New England and we followed it all the way to the shelter. We were joined by several groups of wet scouts and then TOTALLY DRY leaders, They had hiked so slowly that they managed to avoid the storm. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be a "front runner". We stayed in the shelter with the leaders, but the scouts tented up the hill. At 9 p.m. the skies erupted again and we prepared for a crowded shelter, but those boys toughed it out and were chipper and bouncy the next morning. Georgia Boy Scouts are TOUGH.

Appalachian Trail Section Hike

Gooch Mountian Shelter to Neel Gap

As of 2012, there is a "bear zone" on this section of the AT. This means that, in this zone, between March 1 and June 1, it is not sufficient to use "normal" bear protection (even "bear-proof" sacks) if camping in this area. Rather, one must carry an official "bear canister". We did not have one, so camping in the bear zone was verboten. All of the other folks (except J2) were planning to camp at the southern end of the (5-mile) zone. Depending upon whether or not they were going for the boundary line, this meant either a 7- or a 9-mile day. We were going through so once again, we left early. We passed the "late folks" in Gooch Gap (about 1.5 miles out) and were on our own for the rest of the day. We stopped for lunch at Jarrad Gap (south boundary of the bear zone) and prepared for the climb of Blood Mountain (3rd highest in GA; highest GA point on AT). We stopped for a snack and water at the Woods Hole shelter and continued to climb the mountain. Near the top, the vegetation changed and we found ourselves in a tunnel of rhododendra. The tunnel is caused by the fact that nothing grows ON the trail due to foot traffic and nearby bushes that grow sideways get "pruned" UNLESS the sideways grow is at about seven feet or higher (so hikers pass beneath). The result is a very cool tunnel effect. We had timed it "right" so that the leaves were a gorgeous emerald green and the flowers were in a luscious fuchsia highlight - ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. The trail turned "New Englandy" with the treadway becoming rock as we summit-ed. We visited the cabin at the summit, climbed on some rocks, took some photos and "drank up" for the descent. Theresa hated the descent - which did seem to take forever. When we got to the outfitter store (to "check in" for the hostel), the worker looked at us and talked us into going down the hill to Blood Mountain Cabins instead of staying at the hostel. Pizza for dinner, private cabin, showers and laundry done for us. It doesn't get any better than this - except for Theresa's blisters.

Appalachian Trail Section Hike

Stover Creek Shelter to Gooch Mountain Shelter

Early morning start had us cruising both downhill and uphill and we made it to Hawk Mountain Shelter by 10 a.m. The trail here seems to be both wide and smooth. We made time like we never made it up north. Saw a trio coming out the side trail and another group (same as the day before) still breaking camp. Had a snack and headed back out ahead of the group breaking camp. Sassafras Mountain was our first "steep" up of the hike (650 feet in a mile; not really steep by New England standards, but there were switchbacks to keep the grade low). Saw a group of twelve breaking their "lunch camp" near the summit; they said that they (along with everyone else we met) were going to Gooch for the night. Sounded as if it would be crowded! The day was hot and we got more water at Justus Creek and admired the campsite that Danielle and Ryan had used (and recommended). It was tempting to stop, but Friday was already going to be a long day - heading through the "bear zone" and we didn't want to add any distance so on we went. It was only "0.9 miles" from the campsite to the shelter and I was pace counting; and counting; and counting. I had us over 50% past the shelter and was thinking that we had missed it, but we decided to press on and see what happened. A bit further on, we found the turn to the shelter. Later comparisons showed that various guidebooks put the distance from the campsite to the shelter at either 0.8, 0.9, 1.2, or 1.5 miles! We had picked up "Turtle" near the shelter and found one couple (plus well behaved dog) there when we arrived. The trio came in much later and took the upper story. J2, a through-hiker came in and joined them. The "late group" showed up and decided that with the group of 12 coming behind them, they would move on. It would also set them up for a better plan for the bear zone. So, they moved on to Gooch Gap, taking Turtle with them. [Apparently, he really is with them, but is very slow so he leaves early in the morning.]

Appalachian Trail Section Hike
Amicalola Lodge to Stover Creek Shelter

Headed out on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain to begin the southernmost of our section hikes. Great day. Saw a group getting ready to leave Black Gap Shelter as we stopped for a break. Odd. We're over halfway done (after what we thought was a late start) and they haven't begun. Had lunch at the summit of Springer in the sun and took the obvious photos. Basically, it was all gentle downhill to the shelter - a gorgeous two-story unit that we had all to ourselves. Most other folks seemed to press on to Hawk Mountain, but we didn't want to push it the first day. (The folks who went to Hawk Mountain all started at Black Gap or Springer shelter.)

Round trip hike from Amicalola Lodge to the falls and then around the hilltop trail near the lodge. Last chance to walk without too many pounds on our backs!