Checking In!

The real Moonshine here, checking in from the basement of the NOC outpost in Gatlinburg, TN. Hitched in last night out of the rain. It's a beautiful day here, but it's supposed to be awful weather again tomorrow.

The hiking between here and Franklin has been alright, except for the bulk of the smokies. No views and no bears yet, but I'm only halfway through. It's been like walking through a big wet cloud.

Sorry this blog entry sounds kind of scattered. I always forget what to write about. I have a lot of great pictures that I'll hopefully be able to post in a couple days.

Yesterday I broke 200 miles! Yeehaw.
Now I'm taking a well-earned zero day. This morning I startled the Shoney's staff by eating an inhuman amount of breakfast food. Tons of entertainment all around! I'm looking forward to a visit from Dan shortly, who is driving all the way in from Blacksburg to visit me.

Life on (and off) the AT is good.

Moonshine.

In the Smoky's

Had a damn good time at Fontana Dam. Now 11 miles into the Smoky's with a bum leg. Hopefully it will be better by morning. Lunch time after 5.5 miles. Six more today. No bear sightings but plenty of scat. Leg feels better with pain killers. Weather is cold and rainy; typical Smoky's. Looking forward to Gatlinburg.

17 miles in the rain

Reception is bad but I finally got a cell signal. I did 17 miles in the rain. Feeling great. Heading to Fontana.

Camping at Wesser Bald Shelter

Camping at Wesser Bald Shelter. Did 11 miles today; very lazy. Will pick up tomorrow after a good night sleep.

Eleven miles today

Did 11 miles today then doing 16 tomorrow.

Franklin, NC

Wasn't going to stay the night in Franklin, but here I am at the Budget Inn waiting for my cell to charge! Staying with a big group of hikers after a 4-mile "nero" (an almost zero mile day) looking forward to town food, showering, doing some laundry, and calling some loved-ones. Tomorrow morning I head out to Wayah Bald, the first of North Carolina's balds, for a 5-day trek into Nantahala Outdoor center, then another 3-4 days to Fontana, the foothills of the smokeys. 107.7 miles under my belt so far, feeling great!

Until next time,
Moonshine

18 miles on steroids

Did an 18 miler yesterday on the steroid train. Feeling good.

Blisters are lame!

Did 13 miles to Standing Indian Shelter. Blisters are lame! Meeting some fascinating people. Franklin, NC the day after tomorrow.

Movin' on out..

Went to the doctor and got some 'roids. Hikings going to be real good for a while... Heading out of Helen today when the rain subsides, which should be about noon. Trying to make it up to Tray Mountain Shelter, which involves a thousand foot climb right out of Unicoi gap. I'm going to skip Hiawassee and try and make it straight to Franklin, NC. Should be able to dry out and update again whenever I get there. In the meantime, Dad gets here and translates my daily text messages.

Miss all of you dearly. On to MAINE!

Moonshine

Helen GA with Poison Ivy

I am staying at a hotel in Helen, GA this evening. It is a really cute town. I'm not sure exactly how I got Poison Ivy but its arrival is certainly not welcome! I have met several nice people and will be having a brew with some of them this evening.

Low Gap Shelter

10 miles today. Staying at Low Gap shelter tonight.

Today is a "dry out" "zero" day

I have taken my clothes to a laundry mat to help dry out from the rain this past week. I have restocked my food supply from a camp store. I will be staying in the same cabin as last night with a few others. Back on the trail again tomorrow.

Made it to Neels Gap

Have been hiking in the rain. Today I hiked 15 miles. It has been the longest stretch so far. Tonight I am staying in a cabin with a bed, stove and a REAL bathroom - YEA!.

Since Monday: Springer Mountain, GA to US19 and 129-Neels Gap, GA. I have hiked 30.7 out of 2181.0 miles (1.4%).

Hiking with new friends

First night was windy and cold but we stayed comfy. Am hiking with new friends Lucy and Kate. Now tenting 10 miles in at Horse Gap; expecting rain at 5:00 PM. Hoping to do another 10 miles tomorrow.

Day 1

(4:36 p.m.)Just set up camp at the top of Springer. Approach trail was brutal! But, I'm having a good time.

Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochie

I'm updating this from the Hampton Inn in Cornelia, GA. We drove down yesterday and stopped at Biltmore in Asheville, NC for a wine tasting - delicious! It's really rainy and gross outside right now, but it's supposed to clear up by Monday morning so we'll have a pretty nice first day out.
Now on to continental breakfast with Dad - Hiker Hostel this afternoon.
Cheers!