Bears and Rattlesnakes and Such

Now that it's summer weather, there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy.  Here are a few highlights of my recent adventures on the Appalachian Trail...

She was giving me the evil eye

 

At first glance, she was resting behind a log

 

Big rat snake climbing a tree

This guy serenaded us all night as we camped by a creek

A botanist I was hiking with was excited to find the Yellow Lady Slipper, a very rare orchid

I nearly stepped on this rattlesnake sprawled out across the trail

It coiled up by the trail as I passed cautiously

 

I spotted this little guy on a rocky overlook

Common site in a hiker town

That's me, way up on McAfee's Knob

The First 25% Completed!

"That just happened!"

After a slow start, the miles are dropping quickly now, as much as 100 miles per week. The scenery has been surreal and the new friendships have been amazing. The cold weather seems to be behind us now, and we have enjoyed a long string of beautiful days and clear nights under the stars. Having now completed 531 miles of the Appalachian Trail, almost a quarter of the way from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin, I would say this has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life.

Of the 2,000 or so aspiring thru-hikers who left Springer Mountain this spring, it's expected that only about 20-25% will make it all the way to the end of the trail in Maine. Many have dropped out by now, and the trail seems less crowded than earlier on. People are starting to talk about Mount Katahdin more and more now, less like some mythical place and more like an achievable goal.

Here are a few photo highlights from the past few weeks...

Overlooking the Nolichucky River near Erwin, Tennessee

 

A spruce forest at the summit of a mountain

 

This guy did not want me in his forest

 

Several of us escaped a night of thunderstorms here in the Over Mountain Shelter

 

"Sprinkleburst" entertains fellow hikers at Over Mountain Shelter

 

Tortoise, Longhorn, and Lotus enjoy movies at the Mountain Harbour Hostile

 

Hikers enjoy an amazing gourmet breakfast at Mountain Harbour Hostile

 

Sloth, Big Sexy, and Southbound make their way up a hill

 


A cardinal perched outside Kincora Hostile

 


One of hundreds of beautiful stream crossings

 A quick video at Laurel Falls

"Lost Boy" crosses into Virginia

 

A picturesque sunset near the Tennessee/Virginia state line

 

The area surrounding Mount Rogers in Virginia - just stunning

 

"Smokey the Beard" makes a new friend

 

"Hungry" is on top of the world

 

The Grayson Highlands area of Virginia, my favorite part of the trail so far

 

Herds of wild ponies keep the landscape well manicured

 

Yep. 500 miles!

Trail Updates: Smoky Mountains to Hot Springs

The best way to see America is on foot. If you can, get outside and walk. It is awesome.

I have completed 275 miles of my journey. I've met many amazing people and seen so many incredible things. There is no way to capture and share the magnitude of this adventure here or on my video blog.

This week's goal is 70 miles to Erwin, Tennessee by Friday evening. Here's a quick recap before I get out of the Hot Springs Public Library and back up the mountain:


Spring is trying so hard to burst through the forest floor.



High up on Rocky Top in the Smokies.

Stunning vistas from Mt. Buckley in the Smokies.

Hanging with fellow hikers at Newfound Gap, where I was met by Mom and Dad.

My parents drove in to sponsor Smurf, Smokey the Beard, and me in Gatlinburg!

A late blast of winter added made for some spectacular scenery.

Trail magic after a 20 mile day. Thanks Cackles and the Sunshine Gang for the good times!
R to L: Hat Trick, Beans, Smurf, Cackles, me (Fitty Shrimp), Easy Rider, and Smokey the Beard.

Several of us cooked up Easter brunch at the Laughing Heart Hostel in Hot Springs.

An Easter lunch of pork BBQ was provided for about 45 hikers in Hot Springs.

So true!

Happy trails, everyone!

"Fitty Shrimp"

Wow, what a magical ride!

For about 2 weeks, I was slowed by some painful shin splints. That has passed, and it seems that the trail legs have arrived in time to crush out some bigger days, 10-15 miles or more.

Lately, a new twist has been calling me off the trail - the unlikely run of my beloved Kentucky Wildcats to the championship game. Yesterday, I was on a mission to hike 21 miles to Fontana Dam in hopes of finding a TV in time for the semi-final game against the Wisconsin Badgers. Just before noon, with 14 miles to go, I stopped at the highway at Stecoah Gap to study my map. About that time, a kayak enthusiast named Matt parked his car and approached the table for a quick lunch of salmon and crackers. He was meeting some buddies to kayak the Stecoah Creek, as the dam was being released. When I explained my dilemma, Matt offered to drive me 8 miles to Robbinsville where there were a couple motels. Figuring it was fate, I agreed to this plan, bailing out of a perfect hiking day to watch the 'Cats play. I watched somewhat nervously as Matt opened a can of salmon with a hatchet. Then we proceeded into town. Matt was familiar with my hometown of Danville and had gone to college in nearby Berea... Great guy. Thanks for the lift, Matt!

So glad I got to watch that epic game, a 1-point win by U.K.! I guess I'll try to book a room near Fontana for the championship game Monday. We're expecting lots of rain that day anyway.

When my brother Steve dropped me off in the Georgia mountains last month, he gave me a "Go 'Cats" towel, which I told him I would take with me to Maine. We are now convinced the towel holds some kind of magical powers that have propelled U.K. to the brink of a 9th title. It's crazy, I know. But each time I post a picture with the towel, the 'Cats have won, so I don't intend to leave it to chance.

On a sad note, more people are dropping off the trail. I met LoJack about a week ago. Initially, I was turned off by his boisterous Boston accent, but then I found him to be a genuinely good person. He has overcome many obstacles in his life, not the least of which is a reattached arm in which he has no feeling. LoJack was out here chasing a dream when he was notified that his terminally ill brother had taken a turn for the worse. Maybe LoJack will be back this year or try again next year. I've found that the trail is a microcosm of life in that people enter your world for an unspecified period of time, and then they are gone. You like to think you will get together or keep in touch, but there are no guarantees. If you do, then it is a joyous reunion. Thoughts with you and your family, LoJack.

I'm looking forward to hiking through the Great Smokey Mountains over the next week. Feeling healthy and having fun!

Happy trails!

-Fitty Shrimp

It's The Smiles, Not The Miles

Good times in Franklin, North Carolina

Today is Tuesday April 1st, day 20 of my hike. Yesterday, after finishing at the coin laundry and picking up a care package from Mom and Dad at the Franklin NC post office, my friends pulled me into my second "zero day." My leg is still pretty tender after battling shin splints for the past 10 days, so it was probably smart to rest it.

I fully expected to be much further along by now. But I have to remind myself that I have no deadlines except to summit Mt. Katahdin, Maine by October 15th, the day it is closed for the season. Former successful thru-hikers will advise us to take it easy the first few weeks until we get our "trail legs."

Yesterday's, I met Isaac, a hiker from Portland, Oregon. He started a full week before me but has come off the trail twice after rolling his ankle. He was ready to quit and get a flight home. But the rule on the trail is, never make the decision to throw in the towel when it's a bad day. After a couple days in town and words of encouragement from fellow hikers, he told us last night at a Mexican restaurant that he is ready to give it another shot. His travel mates are now well ahead of him, but it doesn't matter. There is no easier place to make friends than here on the trail, where everyone is battling the same obstacles.

When I start back at Rock Gap today, my crew will be dropped off about 20 miles behind me after coming off on Friday to meet family and significant others who had traveled to Franklin. They have assured me they will catch up, but it will feel strange going at it without the rest of the "Highway Shrimp," as we've come to be known.

There have been many great times with so many new friends. The hiking has kind of been secondary. But it might be time to pick up the pace and get more focused. We'll see what happens.

Cheers!

"Fitty Shrimp"