Episode 7: The Total Catch-up!! PART 1

You know what needs to happen???? I need to fill you in on everything between my last blog – – crossing from Georgia into North Carolina – and where I am right at this moment!! It is time for the TOTAL CATCH-UP!!! (Not ketchup or catsup, mind you, but rather a full recount of what’s been happening since we’ve last blog-chatted! 😁)

So, here we go!!!!! I left off when I officially received hiker status (which I claimed myself!) and I had made it to the Standing Indian Shelter through the downpour with Chris.

Chris and I hiked only 7.4 miles that day – – isn’t it so cool that 7.4 miles is considered a “short” day now!!! – – but we saw this amazing sign as we walked…..GULP!!….

Exciting, right???? And then climbing Standing Indian Mountain provided some great views!!

We camped at Carter Gap Shelter and I enjoyed the message on the shelter wall!! Even though I chose to be comfy in my tent that night and not stay in the shelter.

I had another “I feel like a real hiker!” moment the next day, when I decided to hang my wet socks, sports bra,and clean underwear on the back of my pack because it was actually SUNNY!! This is what I heard was the best way to dry out your rain-soaked clothes – – to let the sun air-dry your clothes as you hike the trail! This might seem like a very weird idea but it really did work well!! All the pros do it, I swear!!! 😛

Now, this was already the start to week three, on Tuesday, April 8th. It was a very exciting day, for many reasons!!!
What reasons????? WELL, I’m so glad that you asked!!!

First of all, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day!

Secondly, Chris and I ascended the boulders and sketchy terrain of Albert Mountain, one of the most challenging climbs so far….

And we got to the top where there was a fire tower! The views were unbelievable, from the bottom of the tower and from the top!!!

The fire tower on Albert Mountain!

Thirdly, it was at this fire tower where I met my new doggy friend, Luna, and her owner, Seth……

And finally, the most exceptional part is that this tower marked the 100-mile point of the trail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Though a little ways past the fire tower, I found a “100” on the trail, made of sticks, placed there very purposeful. Maybe THAT was the real 100-mile point of the trail??? EITHER WAY, 100 miles down!!!!!!! 🤗

I completed the day with another awesome hiker named Jordan. It turned into a 12.1-mile day and we made it to Rock Gap Shelter to camp. You can tell by the rock wall at the front of the shelter why it potentially received the name “Rock Gap.” Not to mention the very rocky path to the privy, where you had to leap from rock to rock over 2 little streams and avoid getting wet! I didn’t get a pic of the weird privy situation, but I’m sure you get the idea!!!!

The next morning was a town day and a chance for me to get refreshed in Franklin, NC!!! Seth, Luna and I got out of the Rock Gap Shelter by 6:45am to hike 3.9 miles to a shuttle pickup point called Winding Stair Gap. This was one of my most favorite hikes because Luna was our leader and she was the cutest!!!! Always turning around to make sure that Seth and I were there – she was so attentive and a great trail companion!!!

Another reason I loved this particular hike was because headlamps were needed since it was so dark when we left the shelter. AND SO, we got to see the sun rise as we walked!! Granted, we were booking it to the pickup location – it only took one and a half hours! – so we couldn’t FULLY enjoy the beauty, but I did manage to take a few photos anyways!!

Speed-hiking photo #1 of the sunrise!

Here is the thru-hiking crew that showed up to the Winding Stair Gap. We got to hang together and wait for the shuttle to arrive. An amazing group of people, as per usual!!

I stayed at a Comfort Inn in Franklin, NC. Oh yes, I treated myself to a lovely hotel room and even received a thru-hiker discount!!! A fancy-pants discount of a whole 7% but YES, PLEASE!!!

I received a resupply package that my Mom sent me and I also got to ride in a local shuttle that costed $1. The shuttle does a loop and will take you anywhere you need to go along the way. I went to a restaurant for food and to the grocery store for a few more snack items for my hikes. It’s true what they say – – – food becomes a main topic of concern, consideration, and conversation when you’re on the trail and off the trail!!!! Especially when it comes to town food and getting a really good meal that is not trail food!

SIDE STORY: Before I left to come to the Appalachian Trail, I had researched a lot about food preparation for the trail. I also spoke with REI staff and was recommended to try freezer bag food prep. Basically, you organize your own meals, (with dehydrated foods, freezer-dried foods, etc) put them in freezer bags, and then you only need boiling water to cook your meals on the trail! The boiling water gets poured right into the freezer bags, sits for 5-ish minutes, and then you’re ready for your meal! No clean up and incredibly easy! So, I decided to make a bunch of meals just like that before heading out, with the hope that resupply packages could be sent to me as I traveled the AT. And this is another reason why my Mom is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (In the freakin’ world!!!!) 😘❤️❤️❤️

Back to the update!!!! After my wonderful night in Franklin, the morning started out extremely rainy and gross. And I was sooooooo close to staying another day in Franklin because who wants to hike in a downpour again after having fresh, clean clothes and nice, dry gear???!!!! Certainly not moi…..but then the weather spoke of rain for several days in a row so I was inevitably going to get rained on, even if I waited another day. I couldn’t hide from it forever, you know??? So, I put on my big girl underpants, (oh, yes I did!!!), reserved my shuttle ride, and went back to resume the trail at Winding Stair Gap!

I was, once again, feeling intimidated because I was “by myself.” I knew I would be with other hikers, of course, but it is still a bit scary to head out to an unknown trail when it’s pouring rain and you’re solo. BUT I did it!!! And I ran into Mike again, (the thru-hiker with the same tent that I have!!) and who I had crossed paths with a ton on the AT by this point. We became hiking buddies for the next few days!!!!!

Side Note: Mike hates having his photo taken but I managed to get a pic of him as I was randomly snapping photos one day! I hope he doesn’t mind me posting this…..Shhhh!! 😉 He is quiet most of the time BUT so fun to chat with and he’s just the nicest person. And I was the one to grant him his trail name!!! He is a natural when it comes to living out in the woods and hiking, never complaining, ready to trek in any weather, and on and on. Plus, he has the best beard! And all of these things made me think Mountain Man Mike!!! Hey, that’s like M-Cubed!!! And so, his trail name “Cubed” emerged!! Pretty perfect, wouldn’t you agree???

Cubed and I covered a lot of miles together! Our first day was 12.4 miles! This included:

A climb to the top of Siler Bald, where we received a view of pure fog!!!

We also climbed (and climbed and climbed…) to the top of Wayah Bald, at 5,342 feet of elevation, and were graced with the most breathtaking views to date!!!! Mind you, we worked for these views! The trail kept going up stairs, crossing a gravel road, up more stairs to cross yet another gravel road….until you get to the top and see this awesome stone tower at the top of a hill!!!!!! Again, moments like this hit you with such satisfaction and fulfillment!

After enjoying Wayah Bald for a lengthy time, Mike and I continued our trek to a campsite with the most interesting name – – – Licklog Gap. Now, a fellow thru-hiker asked an excellent question: How did these gaps and shelters obtain their names????? Some are fairly obvious, some are most likely dedicated to special people potentially associated with the AT….But I’m intrigued by this one in particular, unless there was a Mr. Licklog that created this space…which would be unfortunate. (No offense, Mr. Licklog, if you do exist!!!)

Here, at Licklog Gap, we met another thru-hiker by the name of Pippi Rambo! Aren’t trail names so fun?????? And all three of us had lime green tents so apparently we were destined to camp with each other this night!

Wanna know a funny story??????? So, as you know, (or even if you’ve never heard this before!) it is important to hang your food bags off a branch 8–10 feet in the air in case a bears smell your food and tries to get at it. This is another reason why you obviously want your food bag away from you, your tent, and the campsite.

Now, there is a certain art form to executing this task, such as tying a rock around a carabiner, which is attached to a bear cord, that is then chucked over a medium-high tree branch. The rock gets taken off, the food bag gets placed on, you hoist the food bag into the air, tie a stick into the bear cord, let go, and it magically stops the food bag in the air precisely where you want it. Seems pretty simple, right??? I sit here shaking my head vehemently, NO!!! It is not simple and rather it is a gigantic pain in the arse!!! THIS particular bear bag hang took about 87 tries and I finally got it!!!! At this campsite there were very few branches from which to choose. Even Mike had issues!! He chose branches that couldn’t support the weight of the food bag hoist and the tree branch would snap on him!! It happened twice!!!!!! I swear, Mike and I spent a good 45 minutes trying to get it together!!!!!!!!!!

Wanna know an EVEN BETTER story????? I soon found out that I didn’t need to hang my bear bag up at all because of the special food bag that I bought. Rather, this Ursack bag only needs to be tied around a low-hanging branch, as high as I can tie it with a fancy knot, and then THAT. IS. IT. Are you kidding me???? How did I not know this sooner, right??!?! But I learned that the Ursack bag is specially designed to withstand the claws of a bear, in case it starts pawing at your food. Yes, your food will most likely be crumbs if a bear was smashing your bag all night, trying to get at the food, BUT it’s supposed to never rip. Isn’t that fabulous??????? Perhaps I was the last to know this “secret tip” but life on the trail just got a bit easier!!

SO, the second trekking day for Cubed and I was 14.1 miles! But I will tell you all about that the next time…to keep you anxiously awaiting more stories!!!! 😉

Honestly, I apologize that I didn’t have time to fully catch you up this time around. I am at the mercy of the service and WiFi in the towns that I stay. Sometimes they are NOT the best….like right now!! I’m so lucky that I got as far as I did with this update!!

Here’s a lil’ hint as to where I am right now: Sending love from Gatlinburg, TN!!!!!Until tomorrow, when it’s back to the trail….Ooooooh, have I piqued your interest??? I HAD to give you a teaser, OF COURSE!!! And I can’t wait to fill you in on the rest of my stories, as soon as I can!!!

❤️❤️❤️