Hiking southbound from Fontana Village, NC to Springer Mountain in Georgia. The end of our journey.
Day 180
We hiked 14 miles today, not including the 2 we walked down NC28 from Fontana Village back to the trail. It was cold today, almost too cold. I dont think the temperature go over 30 and with the wind blowing pretty hard, it was pretty miserable.
We decided to make it a 14 mile day to Stecoah Gap and hitch a ride into Robbinsville, NC. We got a ride from a guy named James to the Microtel in Robbinsville, about 6 miles from the trail. No clue how we're going to get back to the trail in the morning, but we're warm./
We hiked 14 miles today, not including the 2 we walked down NC28 from Fontana Village back to the trail. It was cold today, almost too cold. I dont think the temperature go over 30 and with the wind blowing pretty hard, it was pretty miserable.
We decided to make it a 14 mile day to Stecoah Gap and hitch a ride into Robbinsville, NC. We got a ride from a guy named James to the Microtel in Robbinsville, about 6 miles from the trail. No clue how we're going to get back to the trail in the morning, but we're warm./
Day 181
We had a nice continental breakfast at the Microtel then went across the street in the 18 degree weather to try our luck with hitching a ride back to the trailhead. Within 10 seconds of having our thumbs out a truck stopped, 2 locals, a man and a woman on the way to the doctor, happy to take us to the trail. We were hiking by 8:30am
From Stecoah Gap we walked up and over Cheoah Bald, where we got some great views, and with the sun out up there, out from under the trees covered in ice, it was somewhat bearable enough to eat lunch. It was COLD!
We decided to do another short day of 13.4 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where the trail passes right through. It was a long walk down into the gorge. Temperatures didnt get above 30 again today and theyve been in the low teens last night and again tonight. We figure we'll play it safe and avoid sleeping out in these cold temps, our sleeping bags are rated to only 20 degrees and we would prefer to avoid any potentially dangerous situations even if it means doing smaller mileage.
We got here at about 3pm and had lunch at the restaurant here while we watched people kayaking in the Nantahala River. Looks Cold!
We had a nice continental breakfast at the Microtel then went across the street in the 18 degree weather to try our luck with hitching a ride back to the trailhead. Within 10 seconds of having our thumbs out a truck stopped, 2 locals, a man and a woman on the way to the doctor, happy to take us to the trail. We were hiking by 8:30am
From Stecoah Gap we walked up and over Cheoah Bald, where we got some great views, and with the sun out up there, out from under the trees covered in ice, it was somewhat bearable enough to eat lunch. It was COLD!
We decided to do another short day of 13.4 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where the trail passes right through. It was a long walk down into the gorge. Temperatures didnt get above 30 again today and theyve been in the low teens last night and again tonight. We figure we'll play it safe and avoid sleeping out in these cold temps, our sleeping bags are rated to only 20 degrees and we would prefer to avoid any potentially dangerous situations even if it means doing smaller mileage.
We got here at about 3pm and had lunch at the restaurant here while we watched people kayaking in the Nantahala River. Looks Cold!
Day 182
We woke up early this morning to take on a 21.6 mile day. We both made a ton of mashed potatoes for breakfast and loaded up on calories to help get us out of the otherside of the Nantahala gorge, a LONG uphill. Im going to miss being able to climb up mountains for hours on end with a 35lb pack on no problem. Nice weather today, not as cold but still a bit chilly.
We hiked to Wayah Gap where we called Maggie at the Aquone Hostel&lodge. Her husband Steve, a former thru hiker, came to pick us up. Maggie and Steve are from England and they advertise to only be open for hikers for a few months in the spring. We were happy to learn that they dont turn any thru hikers away. This is probably the nicest and cleanest hostel we've stayed in on the whole trail and we had the whole place to ourselves. They own a cabin rental company so theyve really done this place up.
More bad weather on the way, we're trying to figure out a game plan to get us to Springer and avoid alot of it. No hostels or towns for the next 50 miles or so after we pass Franklin, NC tomorrow so it might be a struggle.
We woke up early this morning to take on a 21.6 mile day. We both made a ton of mashed potatoes for breakfast and loaded up on calories to help get us out of the otherside of the Nantahala gorge, a LONG uphill. Im going to miss being able to climb up mountains for hours on end with a 35lb pack on no problem. Nice weather today, not as cold but still a bit chilly.
We hiked to Wayah Gap where we called Maggie at the Aquone Hostel&lodge. Her husband Steve, a former thru hiker, came to pick us up. Maggie and Steve are from England and they advertise to only be open for hikers for a few months in the spring. We were happy to learn that they dont turn any thru hikers away. This is probably the nicest and cleanest hostel we've stayed in on the whole trail and we had the whole place to ourselves. They own a cabin rental company so theyve really done this place up.
More bad weather on the way, we're trying to figure out a game plan to get us to Springer and avoid alot of it. No hostels or towns for the next 50 miles or so after we pass Franklin, NC tomorrow so it might be a struggle.
Day 183
On the trail by 8:30 today. We hiked the 5.9 miles from Wayah Gap to US64 in 2 hours. When we got to US64 we got Burger King on our minds and decided to try and hitch the 11 miles into Franklin, NC to get some lunch.
Not too many cars drove by, but we eventually got a ride at around 11am from a guy name ken, from Winston Salem. Ken dropped us off at Burger King and said he'd come back by after running an errand to take us whereever else we needed to go. While we were eating we decided we would get a room for the night to avoid the nasty storm coming through this evening. Ken came back and drove us to the nearby Microtel.
We are 109 miles from Springer, we should be done in 6 (maybe 7) days if the weather is good to us.
On the trail by 8:30 today. We hiked the 5.9 miles from Wayah Gap to US64 in 2 hours. When we got to US64 we got Burger King on our minds and decided to try and hitch the 11 miles into Franklin, NC to get some lunch.
Not too many cars drove by, but we eventually got a ride at around 11am from a guy name ken, from Winston Salem. Ken dropped us off at Burger King and said he'd come back by after running an errand to take us whereever else we needed to go. While we were eating we decided we would get a room for the night to avoid the nasty storm coming through this evening. Ken came back and drove us to the nearby Microtel.
We are 109 miles from Springer, we should be done in 6 (maybe 7) days if the weather is good to us.
Day 184
It was cold and rainy this morning so we decided to take a zero day here in Franklin. It stinks to be so close to the end and not be hiking but it is what it is.
We had a fun day though, this morning we walked a little down the road to the Whistle Stop Antique Mall and browsed around for a while. That place was huge! We got some BBQ for lunch. We went up to the outfitter and got Cathrine a sleeping bag liner for the chilly nights we have ahead of us. Also later in the day we walked next door to the "Fun Factory", a big Celebration Station type place, where we planned on riding go karts but they wernt running because of the rain. So we did bumper cars instead.
The high tomorrow is 28 and the low is 8 so we're enjoying the warm, heated room very much so tonight.
It was cold and rainy this morning so we decided to take a zero day here in Franklin. It stinks to be so close to the end and not be hiking but it is what it is.
We had a fun day though, this morning we walked a little down the road to the Whistle Stop Antique Mall and browsed around for a while. That place was huge! We got some BBQ for lunch. We went up to the outfitter and got Cathrine a sleeping bag liner for the chilly nights we have ahead of us. Also later in the day we walked next door to the "Fun Factory", a big Celebration Station type place, where we planned on riding go karts but they wernt running because of the rain. So we did bumper cars instead.
The high tomorrow is 28 and the low is 8 so we're enjoying the warm, heated room very much so tonight.
Day 185
Last night I called a lady off a list of local people who will shuttle hikers to see if she would give us a ride back to Winding Stair Gap (US64). Kay said she would take us and pick us up at around 8AM. We were hiking by 8:20 this morning and once again it was cold! 10 degrees when we started out, it eventually got up to 30 around 2pm and is now rapidly dropping back into the single digits.
We hiked 19.1 miles today and only stopped once to eat because it was too cold to do anything but keep warm by hiking more. We had all our layers on for most of the day. We went over Mt Albert today, from there started our 100 mile countdown to the end. We made it here at Beech Gap at about 4pm where we now only have 90 miles left. The cold is brutal but we're on my 5 day plan to get us to Springer. Warmer weather for the rest of the week.
Today marks 6 months on the trail. Bundled up at Beech Gap tonight.
Last night I called a lady off a list of local people who will shuttle hikers to see if she would give us a ride back to Winding Stair Gap (US64). Kay said she would take us and pick us up at around 8AM. We were hiking by 8:20 this morning and once again it was cold! 10 degrees when we started out, it eventually got up to 30 around 2pm and is now rapidly dropping back into the single digits.
We hiked 19.1 miles today and only stopped once to eat because it was too cold to do anything but keep warm by hiking more. We had all our layers on for most of the day. We went over Mt Albert today, from there started our 100 mile countdown to the end. We made it here at Beech Gap at about 4pm where we now only have 90 miles left. The cold is brutal but we're on my 5 day plan to get us to Springer. Warmer weather for the rest of the week.
Today marks 6 months on the trail. Bundled up at Beech Gap tonight.
Day 186
Cold night last night but we were warm and cozy. I dont know how but somehow we built up the courage to climb out of our toasty sleeping bags and tent and into the freezing air. We were packed and hiking by 8am to take on a 21.1 mile day. When we set out, it was around 30 degrees, already warmer than the high of yesterday.
We had a beautiful day, made it over the border into Georgia! Our ending point today was Dicks Creek Gap (US76), made it there at about 5 pm with intentions on hitching into Hiawassee, GA. Not a very busy road, no luck with a hitch, but to our delight there is a hostel, Top of Georgia Hostel, half a mile down the road.
We got here and the owner, "SirPacksAlot" made us right at home with hot chocolate handed to us as we walked in the door. The hostel opened this past March, it is super clean, but not so clean that you cant relax, SirPacksAlot has certainly figured out the formula. Cathrine and I have the place to ourselves tonight.
We're planning on a 16.7 miles tomorrow.
Cold night last night but we were warm and cozy. I dont know how but somehow we built up the courage to climb out of our toasty sleeping bags and tent and into the freezing air. We were packed and hiking by 8am to take on a 21.1 mile day. When we set out, it was around 30 degrees, already warmer than the high of yesterday.
We had a beautiful day, made it over the border into Georgia! Our ending point today was Dicks Creek Gap (US76), made it there at about 5 pm with intentions on hitching into Hiawassee, GA. Not a very busy road, no luck with a hitch, but to our delight there is a hostel, Top of Georgia Hostel, half a mile down the road.
We got here and the owner, "SirPacksAlot" made us right at home with hot chocolate handed to us as we walked in the door. The hostel opened this past March, it is super clean, but not so clean that you cant relax, SirPacksAlot has certainly figured out the formula. Cathrine and I have the place to ourselves tonight.
We're planning on a 16.7 miles tomorrow.
Day 187
Sirpacksalot had breakfast ready for us at 7am today. After breakfast he drove us into Hiawassee so that we could get enough food at the grocery store to get us to Springer. he then drove us back up to Dicks Creek Gap and we were hiking by 9am.
We set out to do 16.7 miles today to Unicoi Gap and hitch into Hiawassee for the night. But we ended up doing 19.1, 2.4 past the road to Blue Mtn Shelter. This made our days a little more even, we had 16.7 and 21.2 planned for today and tomorrow, now by doing 19 today, we just have 19 to do tomorrow.
Today was tough but it was warm, up in the mid 50s. The first 16 miles of the day are considered to be the hardest of Georgia, or so we're told. We pretty much climbed over 6 good sized mountains today- Powell Mtn, Kelly Knob, Young Lick Knob, Tray Mtn, Rocky Mtn, and Blue Mtn- it was alot of up and down. By the looks of the elevation tomorrow looks a little smoother.
We camping alone again tonight. Got the tent set up in Blue Mtn Shelter, ready for another chilly night. 18.8 miles to Neel Gap tomorrow. 50.5 miles to Springer.
Sirpacksalot had breakfast ready for us at 7am today. After breakfast he drove us into Hiawassee so that we could get enough food at the grocery store to get us to Springer. he then drove us back up to Dicks Creek Gap and we were hiking by 9am.
We set out to do 16.7 miles today to Unicoi Gap and hitch into Hiawassee for the night. But we ended up doing 19.1, 2.4 past the road to Blue Mtn Shelter. This made our days a little more even, we had 16.7 and 21.2 planned for today and tomorrow, now by doing 19 today, we just have 19 to do tomorrow.
Today was tough but it was warm, up in the mid 50s. The first 16 miles of the day are considered to be the hardest of Georgia, or so we're told. We pretty much climbed over 6 good sized mountains today- Powell Mtn, Kelly Knob, Young Lick Knob, Tray Mtn, Rocky Mtn, and Blue Mtn- it was alot of up and down. By the looks of the elevation tomorrow looks a little smoother.
We camping alone again tonight. Got the tent set up in Blue Mtn Shelter, ready for another chilly night. 18.8 miles to Neel Gap tomorrow. 50.5 miles to Springer.
Day 188
We were hiking by 8am today. The first half of the day was easy, almost too easy, we were questioning whether or not we were actually on the trail, it was like a nice wide sidewalk. The second half of the day not so much. Lots of pointless ups and downs.
We had awesome weather, I think it may have had hit 60 degrees. We hiked 18.8 miles to Neel Gap in record time (for us), got here at 3pm and are staying at the legendary Mountain Crossing hostel. We ate a few frozen pizzas and burritos and are ready to take on our second to last day.
31.7 miles to Spring Mtn. Tomorrow we plan to hike 19 more miles to Cooper Gap, where my mom and Thomas will meet up with us so we can stay in a warm room and hang out with them tomorrow night. They'll take us back to the trail the following morning so we can hike the homestretch.
We were hiking by 8am today. The first half of the day was easy, almost too easy, we were questioning whether or not we were actually on the trail, it was like a nice wide sidewalk. The second half of the day not so much. Lots of pointless ups and downs.
We had awesome weather, I think it may have had hit 60 degrees. We hiked 18.8 miles to Neel Gap in record time (for us), got here at 3pm and are staying at the legendary Mountain Crossing hostel. We ate a few frozen pizzas and burritos and are ready to take on our second to last day.
31.7 miles to Spring Mtn. Tomorrow we plan to hike 19 more miles to Cooper Gap, where my mom and Thomas will meet up with us so we can stay in a warm room and hang out with them tomorrow night. They'll take us back to the trail the following morning so we can hike the homestretch.
Day 189
We had some Mountain Houses for breakfast while we watched Monsters Inc. We were hiking by 7:40am to take on a 19.4 mile day to Cooper Gap. We hit Blood Mtn right off which thankfully it wasnt as bad as we heard it to be. Smooth hiking today, the miles went by quick and the weather was great! We ran into hoards of section hikers, probably 100 of them through the day.
We got to Cooper gap at 3:30 pm where we waited for my mom and Thomas for about an hour. They came and picked us up and we went to a country restaurant for dinner. We then drove to Hiker Hostel a little ways down the road. We're staying here tonight because its the only lodging in a 20 mile radius and also I wanted to make sure my mom got a taste of what the hostels we've been staying in are like. She was dreading it.
Luckily it is one of the nicest we've stayed in, really nice. Glad we came here.
Tomorrow we're getting dropped back off at Cooper Gap where we will begin the end of our journey. 12.3 miles left to Springer Mountain. We've hiked 97.5 miles in the past 5 days, we're tired but we feel great and are excited to wrap this thing up!
We had some Mountain Houses for breakfast while we watched Monsters Inc. We were hiking by 7:40am to take on a 19.4 mile day to Cooper Gap. We hit Blood Mtn right off which thankfully it wasnt as bad as we heard it to be. Smooth hiking today, the miles went by quick and the weather was great! We ran into hoards of section hikers, probably 100 of them through the day.
We got to Cooper gap at 3:30 pm where we waited for my mom and Thomas for about an hour. They came and picked us up and we went to a country restaurant for dinner. We then drove to Hiker Hostel a little ways down the road. We're staying here tonight because its the only lodging in a 20 mile radius and also I wanted to make sure my mom got a taste of what the hostels we've been staying in are like. She was dreading it.
Luckily it is one of the nicest we've stayed in, really nice. Glad we came here.
Tomorrow we're getting dropped back off at Cooper Gap where we will begin the end of our journey. 12.3 miles left to Springer Mountain. We've hiked 97.5 miles in the past 5 days, we're tired but we feel great and are excited to wrap this thing up!
Day 190
We had a good breakfast at the Hiker Hostel, what a great place to spend the last night of our journey. We left there by 9am and made our way back down the sketchy, backwoods gravel roads back to Cooper Gap. We took our pictures and were hiking by 10am to take on our last 12.3 miles of the trail.
The wind was howling and the rain was cold and sideways but we were determined and moving quickly. We stayed warm and dry but eventually our rain gear was soaked through and we were wet but with the end in sight (and a warm car waiting for us) nothing seemed to hold us back.
We saw alot more people than we expected out hiking, a large miserable looking boy scout troop and many others. We ran into a lady we briefly met days earlier on our way out of the Mountain Crossing Hostel. She and her friend congratulated us and Cathrine started crying out of pure excitement and gave them hugs. Its nice to get recognized for what we've accomplished by random strangers, they were very nice.
Although it was pouring rain, we took a quick detour down a side trail to Long Creek Falls. Sirpacksalot told us we should go check them out, so we did. Pretty cool waterfalls but we didnt see the Indian carvings in the rock that are there.
We got to Big Stamp Gap, the parking lot 1 mile shy of the top of Springer Mountain at a little after 1pm. We knocked out 11 miles in 3 hours, it flew by. We waited for about 30 minutes for my mom and Thomas at the parking lot, they went to Walmart and were making their way back. Cathrine and I huddled under the trailhead bulletin board roof and tried to stay warm as best we could while we waited in the cold rain.
When they pulled up we jumped in and warmed our bones. Then Cathrine, Thomas and I jumped back out to hike the last mile. We made it to the top in no time and successfully completed our thru hike! Not the weather we would have hoped for, but it could certainly have been worse.
Its hard to believe our 6 month journey of the Appalachian Trail is finally over and that we actually hiked the whole thing, every inch of it. I couldn't imagine this hike without the love and support of Cathrine. She is a beast of a wife. We're excited to share countless more adventures together.
It took us 190 days to hike the 2,185 miles of the trail. Thats including the 7 days off for Cathrines knee injury, and another 10 days for the travel time it took for our flips and flops, and all the time we took simply relaxing and enjoying ourselves along the way. We didnt set out to break any speed records, we just had a great time enjoying each others company, going at our own pace, hiking our own hike.
They say thousand of people attempt a thru hike of the AT every year, but only 1 in 4 actually complete it. I find it amazing that both of us were free from any accidents or injuries that would hold us back from finishing it. Theres great potential for getting hurt when you're hiking 8-10 hours a day over steep, rocky terrain.
We're thankful for all the family, friends, and kind hearted random strangers that helped us out so much along the way.
I hope you've enjoyed our journey as much as we have, thanks for reading.
We had a good breakfast at the Hiker Hostel, what a great place to spend the last night of our journey. We left there by 9am and made our way back down the sketchy, backwoods gravel roads back to Cooper Gap. We took our pictures and were hiking by 10am to take on our last 12.3 miles of the trail.
The wind was howling and the rain was cold and sideways but we were determined and moving quickly. We stayed warm and dry but eventually our rain gear was soaked through and we were wet but with the end in sight (and a warm car waiting for us) nothing seemed to hold us back.
We saw alot more people than we expected out hiking, a large miserable looking boy scout troop and many others. We ran into a lady we briefly met days earlier on our way out of the Mountain Crossing Hostel. She and her friend congratulated us and Cathrine started crying out of pure excitement and gave them hugs. Its nice to get recognized for what we've accomplished by random strangers, they were very nice.
Although it was pouring rain, we took a quick detour down a side trail to Long Creek Falls. Sirpacksalot told us we should go check them out, so we did. Pretty cool waterfalls but we didnt see the Indian carvings in the rock that are there.
We got to Big Stamp Gap, the parking lot 1 mile shy of the top of Springer Mountain at a little after 1pm. We knocked out 11 miles in 3 hours, it flew by. We waited for about 30 minutes for my mom and Thomas at the parking lot, they went to Walmart and were making their way back. Cathrine and I huddled under the trailhead bulletin board roof and tried to stay warm as best we could while we waited in the cold rain.
When they pulled up we jumped in and warmed our bones. Then Cathrine, Thomas and I jumped back out to hike the last mile. We made it to the top in no time and successfully completed our thru hike! Not the weather we would have hoped for, but it could certainly have been worse.
Its hard to believe our 6 month journey of the Appalachian Trail is finally over and that we actually hiked the whole thing, every inch of it. I couldn't imagine this hike without the love and support of Cathrine. She is a beast of a wife. We're excited to share countless more adventures together.
It took us 190 days to hike the 2,185 miles of the trail. Thats including the 7 days off for Cathrines knee injury, and another 10 days for the travel time it took for our flips and flops, and all the time we took simply relaxing and enjoying ourselves along the way. We didnt set out to break any speed records, we just had a great time enjoying each others company, going at our own pace, hiking our own hike.
They say thousand of people attempt a thru hike of the AT every year, but only 1 in 4 actually complete it. I find it amazing that both of us were free from any accidents or injuries that would hold us back from finishing it. Theres great potential for getting hurt when you're hiking 8-10 hours a day over steep, rocky terrain.
We're thankful for all the family, friends, and kind hearted random strangers that helped us out so much along the way.
I hope you've enjoyed our journey as much as we have, thanks for reading.
Bellows and Watermelon
Damascus - Delaware Water Gap
Mt. Katahdin - Delaware Water Gap
Damascus - Springer Mountain
May 18, 2014 - November 23, 2014
Damascus - Delaware Water Gap
Mt. Katahdin - Delaware Water Gap
Damascus - Springer Mountain
May 18, 2014 - November 23, 2014
This is so great!!!
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