Appalachian Trail - Springer Mountain to Dicks Creek Gap

I attempted to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in 2010. This is the entry that covers that attempt until I abandoned the attempt very early in the hike.

Day 1 - March 26, 2010

Mom & Dad tried to drop me off at Nimblewill Gap but a tree blocked the FS road. I hoofed it up the FS road to the approach trail (about 2 miles I guess). It is 2.8 to the Springer Mtn summit. I summited at 11am. Next stop was the Big Stamp Gap where I met Surviver Dave dropping someone else off. From the top to Hawk Mtn shelter where I am staying it is 7.8 mi. I did somewhere between 12 and 13 today. My only thought at 6pm when I am writing this wow, this ain't easy. Tomorrow is onto Gooch Mtn shelter or Gooch Gap.

Day 2 - March 27, 2010

A bit of a late start, 9:30a. Need to get cranking earlier in the future. Sasafras Mtn is a killer. Awesome "Trail Magic" in Copper Gap. Seriously, you guys are great! Thanks again! Made it to Gooch Gap. It was near 8.7 miles total. Tomorrow, the goal is Neels Gap. Three big climbs over Big Cedar, Turkey Stamp and Blood Mtns. Time to rest now if I want to start earlier than today.

Day 3 - March 28, 2010

Met up with Alp from Portland the end of yesterday. Camped at Gooch Gap with him. Woke up to rain today. It started about 5:30a. This is going to stink. Packed up and on the trail by 9am. A bit late, but the cloud cover really hid the light for awhile. 3.5 miles to Woody Gap. Took us darn near 3 hours. Next shelter was 6 or 7 miles away and it was raining hard and near freezing. Got a cell signal and called my folks. Dad agreed to pick us up in Suches (such as it is). I am crashing at their house and Alp is at a hotel in Blairsville. Will get dropped off tomorrow morning sometime and will power on. Not sure if we can get to Neels tomorrow. Appalachian I have a very aggressive schedule and need to back it off. Worst part is we didn't even clear one of the three mountains we hoped to clear today.

Day 4 - March 29, 2010

Woody Gap to Neels Gap today. 10.6 miles today including summiting the highest peak in GA, Blood Mtn (4461 ft). Staying in a cabin just off the gap. $20 for heat and a shower is a great deal. No rain today but plenty of low clouds. Nice weather is predicted for the rest of the week. Looking to make Low Gap, 10.8 miles, tomorrow

Day 5 - March 30, 2010

Left Neel Gap about 9:30 with some new trekking poles. Ken went back to Raleigh for a job interview. Aaron dusted me right out of the gap. We were supposed to meet up later on, but never did. Mountain East Church gave out some trail magic at Tesnatee Gap. Made it to Low Gap just before 5. Decided to head up to the next camp which was 1.5 miles up the path. Found a camp, but not sure if it is the one we were expecting. Total today was 12.3 if I found the right camp. Will try and make it to Tray Mountain shelter tomorrow. In town in two days if all goes well.

Day 6 - March 31, 2010

We were at Poplar Stamp Gap last night, exactly where expected. Crossed over Blue Mountain into Unicoi Gap where I was given a cookie and a diet Coke. Awesome! Then it was up Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain. Stayed at the shelter with three others, one is the same as last night (Big E). 11 miles to Dick's Creek Gap and a ride into town tomorrow. May try and stay at the folks if there is room. First major blisters, mainly due to my feet beginning to sweat. The weather has been beautiful, upper 70s and sunny.

Day 7 - April 1, 2010

Left Tray Mountain shelter about nine this morning. Only one really tough climb over Kelly Knob. Got picked up by Dad and Fran at Dick's Creek Gap. Gave a ride to Eric (a different one) into Hiawassee. Feet are in really bad shape, blisters on both heels.

Day 8 - April 2, 2010

Zero day today. My heel blisters are really bad. Staying at the folks house an extra night.

Dropped Eric off at Dick's Creek and got some advise on how to handle these blisters.

Hope to get on trail in the morning. If so, I will cross into North Carolina mid-day. About three days to Franklin, NC.

Day 9 - April 3, 2010

Tried to get going today so I could have made Franklin on Monday. However my feet have swollen up something awful, especially my right foot. My boots were way too tight before I even laced them up.

I am staying in Young Harris today hoping to heal up enough to get going tomorrow (yes, Easter). My heels are not too bad, but they can use the extra day as well.

This really hurts my schedule, but it is a long way to Franklin with no real road crossings. I did not want to get 5 or 10 miles in and not be able to walk.

Supply wise, I am ready to go so as long I am reasonably healthy I can get on trail first thing in the morning.

Day 10/11 - April 4/5, 2010

So, I went to a clinic at Blue Ridge today and saw a doctor. A couple x-rays were taken and broken bones were ruled out. He told me was likely a mild sprain that I aggravated by doing a couple 10+ miles hikes on it. I am on a steroid schedule and told to take it easy for a few days. So, I am following doctor's orders and staying out of my boots for awhile.

I guess the timing was OK, because I can stay at my folks house.

I'm here until at least Friday; so little updates for awhile. At least I got to watch the Final Four and opening day of MLB...

Afterward - April 2010

Good news: my ankle is no longer swollen and I have completed my steroid schedule. Bad news: it still hurts, and not in a nagging way. It hurts in a sometimes I have to stop coming the down stairs because of the burst of pain way.

I am really unsure what is wrong and how I should fix it- but I am pretty sure I do not want to push on and injure it further. There is no way it will heal while hiking because of the day-to-day strain of carrying a full pack.

The question is now what to do? I can get around and help out the folks at the house, so that is where I am for now.

My Mom's birthday is tomorrow, so I am taking her to lunch in town.

Beyond that? I am probably going to throw in the towel for this year. As the hosts of Top Gear have been known to say, this plan was "Ambitious, but Rubbish". I'll plan better, get healthy and get this thing sectioned out. Somehow.

By the way, this stinks. Really.