Journals

According to Pittsburgh:

MAY 12, 1997 - MONDAY
   the alarm rang at 5am. we were up so early because this was our longest mileage day yet. breakfast was at a GAS STATION/CONVIENENCE STORE/DELI/RESTAURANT next to the motel. we were on the trail at 7am...
   it was chilly at the beginning of the hike, but a warming sun soon arrived. at the CURLEY MAPLE GAP shelter, there was a hiker and his dog, RUBBER BISCUIT and TEAPOT. RUBBER BISCUIT was still in his sleeping bag, but TEAPOT was out and about, and had apparently found something to roll in (yuk)!!!
   GILA MAN and PANTHER FAN were waiting for us at INDIAN GRAVE GAP with many MOTHER's DAY cards for SHAMROCK which they had picked up at the ERWIN post office. this was nice. the van was again waiting at BEAUTY SPOT. PANTHER FAN had decided to hike the last portion of the hike, and had already left. BEAUTY SPOT was certainly a beauty spot. it was the first 360 degree viewing area that had weather conducive to viewing...
   there was a serene, needle carpeted, PINE FOREST at the top of UNAKA MOUNTAIN. i took an extended break. PANTHER FAN was at CHERRY GAP shelter when i arrived. he had met up with a hiker named OKIE, and they had walked together for a while. OKIE will soon be 65 years old, and had lost 85 pounds over two years in preparation for the hike...
   the hike ended at IRON MOUNTAIN GAP (TN 107/NC 226). we tented on a level area nearby. the weather had held all day long, and continued to be wonderful into the evening. we had supper, then headed into the tents. the first one "sawing logs" was PANTHER FAN. he had had a tougher hiking day than he had planned...

MAY 13, 1997 - TUESDAY
   a steady, light rain began a few hours before light, and continued until nearly 8am. we emerged, set up for breakfast, and endured a few extra drops of rain. we hiked out from IRON MOUNTAIN GAP (TN 107/NC 226) seperately. i met GOOFY FOOT and JINGLES (lady with a bell on her shoe) early on in the day...
   i caught up with TIMMY at GREASY CREEK GAP. she was in a dilemna. the recent trail relocation at GREASY CREEK GAP is not properly marked. there was a blue blaze to the left, an old unblazed road to the right, and a trail ahead. the guide book and map indicated that the trail continued straight ahead, but the blazes on this section had been eradicated. we continued along the trail straight ahead, following the old eradicated blazes. it eventually reconnected with the AT...
   after HUGHES GAP, the trail began a steep, steep climb, lasting for more than three miles, interrupted only by ASH GAP, with two sections of hand over hand rock climbing/jumping. this was very tiring. i was very happy to reach ROAN HIGH BLUFF, the end of the climb. i frightened a lady (tourist) as i climbed out of the woods onto the bluff. she thought i was a bear!!!
   shortly after attaining the bluff, the trail begins to follow a wide path strewn with loose fist size and palm size rocks. this continues for over a mile. after the steep, fatiguing climb to the bluff, i was not happy with this trail. it forced to guard against twisting my ankles at every step. who decided that these loose rocks would make a good hiking trail? i recommend that the maintaining organization relocate the trail off of these rocks, or remove the rocks...
   the van was at CARVERS GAP (TN 143, NC 261) when i arrived. we set up camp, then started supper. GOOFY FOOT showed up, pitched his tent, then joined us for supper. the temperature started dropping, and a few SNOWFLAKES fell while we ate! the temps continued to fall, and everyone headed for their tents. soon thereafter, small hail, then large snowflakes, began to fall. the temps and the snow continued falling...

MAY 14, 1997 - WEDNESDAY
   it was bitter cold overnight. i was only able to stay warm inside my sleeping bag with all of my thermal clothing on! the tent was covered with ice in the morning...
   i was in no hurry to face the day. SUNSHINE was up and gone by 7:30am. TIMMY and SHAMROCK followed by 8am. i procrastinated, and did not start hiking until 9am. there were many balds on the trail and, of course, the winds were whipping. the views were impressive none the less...
   i met three trail maintainers from the TENNESSEE EASTMAN HIKING CLUB. we had a nice conversation, part of which included a few of the observations that i've made you listen to: the rocky trail and the absent blazes. the one fellow indicated that he will try and find this journal on the internet..
   our original plan was to hike to BUCK MOUNTAIN ROAD, about three miles beyond US 19E. the other three, plus PANTHER FAN, decided to hike another 0.7 miles to CAMPBELL HOLLOW ROAD, and had left before i got in. PETER PAN and GILAMAN were waiting for me and let me know of the other's decision. i hiked on...
   we had plans of spending the next few nights at TIMMY's and PETER PAN's house, near BOONE, NC. TIMMY, and the rebelious hikers, took the vehicle that PETER PAN had come in. GILAMAN, PETER PAN and i headed out after i was done hiking. PETER PAN had arranged a surprise for TIMMY. her father and his wife at the house when she arrived...
   we took showers and ate a wonderful meal that PETER PAN had prepared. SALAD, MEATLOAF, CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE, ASPARAGUS, MASHED POTATOES with GRAVY, and BAKED BEANS. quite an impressive feast. we ate as if we were hungry (imagine that). indoor accomodations tonight...

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