April 30

Woke up rested and refreshed after tenting next to the river. Sleeping  with the fly open on my tent let a gentle breeze through all night long.

After a brisk climb of pond mountain, we descended upon watauga lake and dam. The dam is still a functioning hydroelectric power plant put up by the TVA in the 40's. Even though the lake was beautiful with picnic tables, bathrooms, and a nice beach, I didn't tarry too long as it threatened to vortex away my time on a good hiking day.

After starting to hike again, or maybe while sitting at the beach, I noticed it was hot, not yet humid, just hot. Drank a lot of water and sweated probably most of it right back out during the climb to the shelter. The climb seemed to have a  steeper grade than usual. It was rather obvious we were climbing quickly by looking at adjacent mountains. After dodging a threatening thunderstorm, we arrived at the Vanderverder shelter (434.0). It has a view!

April 29

Woke up about 7 to a temperate day. Had three packs of oatmeal and a poptart for breakfast. Started hiking in a rather nondescript forest with the AT looking just like any old hiking path.

After putting in 16 of our 18 miles for the day, we happened to find ourselves with an incredible opportunity: we could go to town and meet a local AT trail building legend named Bob Peoples. After Willie and I caught a ride into town via Bob, we bought a pint of ice cream each, two tallboys each, and a Little Caesars pizza to split. Perhaps not surprisingly, the pizza was terrible. Pretty much the most uninspired pizza ever. But to make the situation better, while eating pizza, we chatted with Bob who told us a lot about how the trails are built, what the process entails, some information about edible plants, and other little facts. For example, he told us why the stairs have 'nasties' (crooked, gnarled, ankle breaking rocks) placed around their edges. The reason being to discourage shortcuts that lead to eventual erosion.

After leaving with a warm good bye and an adnonishment to be careful, we departed into the failing light. Entered the Pond National Wilderness. This area has a sizable river running through it providing views of waterfalls, gurgling sounds, and plentiful shore camping. We opted to tent camp on shore and finish the tallboys before heading to sleep. Stopped at 418.4.

April 27 & 28

These have been the best days of hiking yet. The weather broke late Thursday night leading to a great Friday morning. Started the day with a climb of roan mountain. It was a tough climb, but the view from where the old cloudland hotel was spectacular. The old hotel, now less than a ruin, used to service gentleman and their families during the summer months at the end of the 19th century.

After lunch at the top of roan, Willie and I started an ascent of the humps - little and big. This area looked a lot like Wales. There was nothing at all but miles of grass covered mountain as far as I could see. Great weather and great scenery abounded. Ended the day at the Doll Flats (388.9).

Woke up super early after troubled sleep. There were dogs barking near our site, late hikers coming into camp, and a freak windstorm in the middle of the night. We got up early to make it to an all you can eat diner breakfast. Turns out that the diner was closed on a fluke. Sometimes changes are good though. Due to this change, we caught trail magic and a place called bob's dairyland. I was able to eat the following: a big western omelette, three pancakes, a biscuit, two pieces of pizza, a six inch sub, a pint of ice cream, and some trail mix. Got to love some trail magic :D

Rest of the day was relaxed. Hiked about 9 miles to mountaineering shelter (400.7). Passed a bunch of people hiking 30 miles for cystic fibrosis. For the first time, we passed a river. Got to wash some clothes and get my feet wet.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Thinking of putting about 18 miles in tomorrow.

April 26

After a restful night, I made it to greasy creek gap (366.3) today. Got up early with the best of intentions, but a thunderstorm beat me out of my sleeping bag. Best or most interesting thing today was walking through a very foggy and very dense spruce forrest atop Unaka Mountain.

Rain persists, but learning new stuff everyday. Today I learned that thunder in the mountains sounds like a baking pan being violently shaken in the wind. I also learned what hail sounds like on top of my head (no damage - just shaved ice sized pieces). Due to the rain, my shoes are starting to smell like a dirty dog that rolled in awful. Foot powder maybe? I would like to make it clear it is the rain that is making my shoes smell, not my feet :)

April 25

Rain has been a frequent visitor. It chills me during the day and makes sleep difficult. The good news is that as the low pressure systems slowly move away, the air temperature rises. Today it reached 70 f. This SHOULD mean that getting out of my sleeping bag will be easier in the future...

Made it to curly maple gap shelter (346.2) tonight. Still walking with Kerry and Willy. Last few miles were tough; perhaps I didn't drink enough during the day. At the current pace, should be in Virginia in about a week.

April 24

Made it to bald mountain shelter (325.1) tonight at about 715 pm after an afternoon filled with sideways snow. After the sun set, the temperature dropped steadily to around 25 f. View from big bald was quite nice, but the sneaky climb to the shelter (not mentioned in the elevation profile) was tough after a long day.

Update!

Well, it's clear that Matt hasn't updated this in a while, and I haven't really either... sorry about that. Got to talk to him for a bit on Monday, and had a quick text exchange with him regarding his location Thursday morning as well. Service is apparently horrific in the Smokies... but that's where he is! as of Thursday morning, he was just outside of the Smoky Mountain Border, near or at Davenport Gap Shelter in North Carolina... 237.2 miles into the trek. The average is getting larger now.... it's figuring out to be 5 months on the dot. Speaking to him last Monday I know his ultimate goal is to reach Mt. Katadin between 5 months - 5 months and 2 weeks on the trail. And we all know Matt, once he sets a goal, he either reaches it, or surpasses it like none of us were ready for. So I know he'll make good on his word, and I know you do too. He'll finish this trek, this journey, this incredible goal he's made for himself, and when he's finished, he'll be better for it, and we'll all get to see that great guy we know and love. We're encouraging you from all over the East US and then some, love! Keep goin', One Speed.

- Alissa

GoOgLe Map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210470167990584003716.0004bcd00a167305d06e5&msa=0&ll=35.194176,-83.410299&spn=5.502349,9.876709&source=gplus-ogsb

Updated! Matt's averaging 13.4 miles a day, which puts him finishing around 5 1/2 months if he doesn't take a zero day. Of course he must take one, so right now he's on track to finish in 6 months. The math of it all sounds daunting to me... all that effort! I'm really proud of him.

Are y'all ready to start betting on his finish date?

Keep goin' love!

- Alissa

Wayah bald shelter

Made it to wayah bald shelter today. Suppers to be 15 degrees or so tonight... I have been sleeping warmer due to lots of hiking, but it is still probably going to be unpleasant. I think I've caught the tail end of the April first croud. Kind of a rowdier bunch than normal but in story and appearance only. Even so, the time spent cooking, around a fire, or along the trail with the people make it great.

Hoping to get past nantahala outdoor center tomorrow. Been flirting with the idea of using a bivy instead of a my stripped down tent. Have to see what they have at noc.

Views today were pretty spectacular, especially from wayah bald. From wayah bald, I could see clingmans dome off in the distance - a preview of what's to come.

Time for bed since I can see my breath between my face and my phone.

Sleep well, all.

One Speed

In a little town called Franklin...yessir

Hey again!
It's your favorite AT hiker. Tonight I'm spending the night in Franklin, NC after a partial zero day. Didn't do too much hiking today; only managed six miles before got into town. Had to resupply and get some real food before more untamed wilderness.

Enough of the boring details... let's talk about something a little crazy. So, as Alissa pointed out, I did stay at the plumorchard shelter the other night (74.1). Around about the time I found myself in Georgia, a strange notion hit my brain - could I make it to 100 today? Could I seriously hike a marathon after starting up at a leisurely 845? Like I said, crazy. I did it... made it to Albert mountain at 1930. There was a fire tower with an indescribably beautiful view during the failing light and at night. Along the way saw some of the neatest things to date including views from standing Indian mountain and some crazy streams flowing in the trail for sometimes 50 feet.

After a cold and windy night at the base of the fire tower and nursing sore legs of course, wound up in Franklin by the generosity of a previous thru called Socks.

There are way too many "Sassafras Gaps" on the AT

Last night, I was convinced Matt had somehow magically made it 90 miles farther than where he had been before. My AT Calculator Tool mislead me... I had picked the wrong Sassafras Gap! According to David Miller's AT Guide, he was 10.4 miles farther than Unicoi Gap in Helen, GA, his stop after Neels. As of 2:30pm today, Matt was in Hiawassee, GA at Dicks Creek Gap, 69.6 miles into the trail. His plan was to hike another 6 miles and then call it a night, which would place him a bit past Blue Ridge Gap. If it were me, I'd have stopped at 74.1 miles at Plumorchard Gap Shelter with the privy and water source. I haven't heard from him this evening, though I'd be willing to bet that's where he is. I won't update the map until I know for sure.

He got to eat at an AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) today and resupplied in Hiawassee as well. I'm very curious to know more about his experience of hiking 74.1 miles in six days and then spending a few hours at an AYCE. I'll let him elaborate on that if he so wishes when he can. He should reach the North Carolina border tomorrow!

- Alissa

Neels. Say that 10 times fast. No, really.

KNEELS? NEAL'S? Neels? ...uh, where are you!?

What I've learned about this trail thus far is that there are ridiculous names for the "stops" along the way. I've actually seen GA's Neel's Gap in person, and it looks like a nice outfitter stop and a decent enough hostel, though if you read Matt's last post, it's apparently less than stellar. However, the man's been spoiled!! Pretty sure you don't get much better than Hiker Hostel (Dahlonega, GA). The place is flat out NICE. Regardless, in my opinion, a hostel beats a shelter with a space-hogging snoring woman. (:-P)

Matt reached Neel's Gap last night, achieving 30.7 miles into his journey. According to his last post though, he's now reached 49.8, which puts him between Blue Mountain Shelter and Unicoi Gap...19 miles in one day!! WHEW. To put it into another perspective for those of us non-hikers... I try to workout at least 3-4 times a week and spend an hour or two on either the elliptical or the stairmaster, sometimes take a Spinning class, or I dance my cares away in a Zumba class at my YMCA. Considering that, I hiked a few of the same areas of the trail that he's already (in 4 days!) completed this go-round (as if they were nothing), and I slowed him down BIG time. We made it 6 miles in about 4 hours. Granted, 2 - 2.5 of those hours were in complete darkness with 45mph winds and snow... if you haven't heard the story, call me, I'll tell it to you. Alone, he books it! Very proud of his efforts today.

I found an awesome Trail Distance Calculator today... Input a starting point by clicking on it, click on the finishing point, and your trail mileage will display. It works similar to a Free Language Translator and is really easy to use. http://widgo.com/trail/

I'm having fun tracking his efforts.... anyone interested in starting a betting pool yet? How far will he go? Will he make it to Trail Days in Damascus, VA on time (Mid-May)? Will he finish the thru-hike on Try 1? How long will it take him? For those that dare, I say it's a $1.00 buy-in, because let's be honest... us recent-grads are broke. :) Happy betting!!

- Alissa

Inception!

Today I hauled some butt. Made it to 49.8 today. Just for perspective, neel's gap is at 31.7. Furthest day yet! Camped out in a beautiful spot close to blue mountain shelter. Tomorrow is looking toughish due to several mountains, BUT there have been sightings of trail magic at Indian grave gap. Beer, wine, and sausages... yes, please... all three.

Last night, as Ali pointed out, I stayed in neel's gap mountain crossing hostel. Dirty, dingy, but passable. Super lucky for two reasons - a wonderful church group brought lasagna, salad, and brownies and I remembered my ear plugs. Food was outrageously delicious.

On to inception... apparently you can  get blisters within blisters. I'm trademarking the name inception blister. I only have tiny blisters on the toes closest to my pinkies. Apparently they don't like close company.

Also, I have a trail name now. It's one-speed. Apparently, I only have a 2 speed transmission on my legs. One for park and the other haul tail. Likely fitting.

Night, all. Have a good night.

Blood mountain

Sitting on top of blood mountain. Tallest peak in Georgia done. It's true what they say about Alleve - all day strong, all day long. Feels like someone hit my backside with a baseball bat. Taking it slow a little past neels gap today.

Woody Gap

Tomorrow, Matt will hike my favorite mountain along the AT. Ok, so it's one of the few mountains that I've actually hiked on the Trail... Blood Mountain! It's beautiful. The highest peak of the A.T. in Georgia. Matt's Facebook profile picture is of Matt and I at Blood Mountain shelter in February 2012.

Tonight, he's at Woody Gap, 20 miles into his journey. I've received a few texts from him, his service is spotty at best. I'm sure he's thrilled about the trek and wishes everyone love!

Matt's Journey Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=210470167990584003716.0004bcd00a167305d06e5

Additional useful Interactive AT map:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/interactive-map

Click "Shelters" to get a better idea of where his stops are! Don't forget to navigate the rest of the site!

Also, if you are interested in another account of walking the AT to get a sense of what he's experiencing (or if you want to live vicariously!) check out David Miller's "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail". He's a fellow Floridian and actually gave me some advice this morning about the best airlines to use in order to visit Matt from Orlando! Great read.

On another note... Walk, Matt, Walk! :)

-Alissa

Greetings from woody gap! Nobo 21.2

Hey again,
Today I hiked from hawk mountain shelter to woody gap. Great day of hiking today. Last night, I rolled into the shelter around 3 pm amidst a thunderstorm. If you've ever seen the sad, bedraggled pictures from the great depression, a better forgery could not be found. Until the rain stopped, there were about 20 people in a shelter for 12. I learned a lot that night... mainly that women can and do snore. There was a battle to see who snores the loudest... she won... she also took the last spot in the shelter. Lol. Right next to me. Won't make that mistake again.

Some pro tips:
Hiking poles actually help a lot.
You can get sunburned on one arm only if hiking all day in the same direction.
Waving socks and yelling at insects is an effective way to tell them they aren't welcome.
You can run through a sheet of moleskin a day, easily.
Some people can't tie a rope and a rock together for a bear bag if their lives depended on it (stand close and risk grave injury).

Hoping to get to neels gap tomorrow. Apparently, someone's been feeding bears between here and there; so, hide your gear, hide your light. They eating everyone around here.

Night, all.

I think I can be tech-saavy!

I've started to track Matt's progress on Google Maps. Day one and he's made it to Hawk Mountain! I haven't yet received my "Guide to the A.T." by David Miller in the mail yet, but as soon as I do, I'll be able to post exact locations, elevations, miles trekked, even coordinates!

We're watching you, love. Big brother can never be rid of. ;)

We love you, Matt! Safe travels!

Here's a link to my Tracker Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=210470167990584003716.0004bcd00a167305d06e5

- Alissa

Day 1 - morning

What fresh Hell is this? I haven't seen this ungodly hour for some time. Ze German decided to get up at 0545 to start getting ready. This action had several unfortunate consequences that have worked, no conspired, to wake me up so early. First it was the bright lights, then several unsuccessful door closing attempts. The final act in this unfortunate play was someone passing wind in a galeforce fashion.

Now that I'm up, best to start getting ready for breakfast. It feels a but like pre-season, but maybe Caringee will skip the 2 mile thus year.

Night 0

Staying at the Hiker Hostel in Dhalonega GA. Breakfast is at 730. The group starting out tomorrow is an eclectic  representation of humanity; we already started talking about global warming, fossil fuels, biodiesels... hope I leave some of that talk behind. Tomorrow, I'm trying to go from springer mountain to hawk shelter.