Hey Bear!

Up until now I hadn't seen a single trail bear (I don't count the 2 I saw on the shuttle drive to Trail Days). Currently I'm at 7 within a 48 hour period. The first 4 consisted of a mamma bear and 3 little cubs. Myself, Chef, and Salamander (behind us maybe 15 yards) were only about a mile or two from the shelter. I hear rustling leaves in front of me, look up and see three black balls quickly climb a tree right by the trail. I immediately grab Chefs harness and walk backwards as fast as I can. I stop about 30 yards from the tree and I could see them at the top. I turn around (my movements told Salamander something was wrong) and tell her about the bears and point to the top of the tree. We went over our options. Hike by the tree and likely get eaten by mamma bear- No. Possibly back track the trail... We had just come down a switch back, going back would put us closer to mamma bear- No. Go around and give the bears space and move on... I knew we were heading down the mountain but didn't know if the trail ran the side of the mountain or if it had another switchback, and the mountain side was covered in rhododendron and mountain laurel bushes- No. We ended up waiting there, sitting on a log for about 15-20 minutes. We talked and played music so mamma bear knew we weren't encroaching on her space. The little bears came down the tree eventually, but we couldn't tell how far they went away from the trail. I throw a rock. Turns out they only went a couple yards and they scurry up another tree. Now another hiker is coming down the trail. We ask her if she can see them and she replies no. She decides to chance it and walk the trail. In my head I say to myself "I'm not saving her if she gets eaten". Well, she makes it and informs us of where the bears are. Long story short, we make it passed them without getting eaten. 

The following day, again only about 2 miles from the shelter, I come across a bear a few yards from the trail. I grab Chefs harness again. This time I say in a calm voice "hey bear, hey bear". The bear looks up at me and does not move. She just stares. Hmm, that's not normal she should be running away. Then I see them. Two tiny cubs at the base of a tree. I back off and show Salamander who wasn't far behind. Luckily, this part of the trail we can see where the trail goes and the terrain is pretty clear. We hike off trail for a little ways giving the bears space and we talk loud as we go. Again, avoid being eaten. 

Sorry, no pictures of the bears. Currently I am over mile marker 700! Hiking into Daleville soon where I will meet up with Mom and Grandparents. I am taking a few well deserved /needed days of rest and eating. Then it's back to the trail. 

 

Dragons Tooth was the latest challenge. After about a 20 mile day over rocky terrain Chef's pads were starting to crack. We took a day off to let them heal. I'm hoping smaller mileage and the upcoming rest days will put him back to 100%. Only time will tell. 

Over 50, 500, and the Highlands

We've been out on the trail for over 50 days, hiked over 500 miles, and went over and through the Grayson Highlands. 

 

 

How did we celebrate??

 

With ponies!!!

 

That's Legs and the pony.

 

And Salamander with the pony.

 

We even got to see baby ponies.

 

500 miles!

 

We are now more than a quarter of the way through the whole trail! 

Sharing A Common Struggle

Life on the trail is simple. Simple in the sense that what we (thru hikers) do is wake up, walk for miles till we find a place to spend the night, sleep, and repeat.

 

Our simple life is filled with complications and struggles. Food, water, and shelter are top priorities along with staying dry and taking care of our bodies. Comfort comes last. We hurt everywhere, almost like our bodies have been beaten by the trail. We are constantly hungry and it takes a lot to fill our bellies. And we walk for miles, sometimes days in horrible weather and trail conditions. 

Despite it all, we are the most grateful, happy, and positive group of people you will meet. Sharing our common struggles and more importantly, our end goal binds us all together in a comradry. We are always encouraging the people around us. Everyone wants everyone to succeed. We give and share what we can and we aren't afraid to accept and receive. We laugh at each other as we limp or hobble... Or any other funny complications that arise.

 

M&m's pack rolled down a hill while we were eating lunch. Luckily it didn't go too far.

We laugh at each other because we know and feel their pain and suffering. We laugh because we know it will get better. We must push on and stay positive. 

 

 That's me way back there. 

** I did receive a trail name a while back. My name is Pish. For those of you who aren't birders, pishing is the noise that birders make to mimic a mobbing call to try to lure birds closer. The group caught me pishing the one morning while we were taking a zero day. They asked what I was doing and I laughed and told them I was pishing. They obviously had never heard of this before and the name stuck. 

Trail Update

It seemed like the rain would never stop and nothing would dry out. So I stayed at Mountain Harbour  B&B for a night. There I dried my damp clothes, showered, and stuffed my face with home cooked meals. 

 This was the breakfast feast. The dinner served the night before was an even greater spread!

After digesting breakfast (Chef even got a small plate full) for an hour or two we set off on the trail again. The stretch from there through Damascus, VA has been my favorite so far.  Here's some pictures of what we were up to...

Laurel Fork Falls (did not swim because of dangerous whirlpool)

 

 The trail went around the rocky ridge and followed the stream for a bit. Can you see the tiny white trail blaze in the picture?

 Camped next to the stream.

 

I got to play with a black rat snake. 

 

And I even moved a rattlesnake off the trail so no one (snake included) would get hurt. 

 

The next day was also filled with fun....

 The trail went directly through a cow pasture!

 

Chef was very well behaved. The cows were a bit curious about him. 

We are currently in Damascus,VA and approaching the 500 mile mark. Here we will resupply, get new shoes and a shirt, and take care of some other things. 

After the Smokies

After the GSMNP Chef and I were reunited at Standing Bear Hostel. 
 

Had a nice lunch and view at Max Patch. 

 

Hiked to Hot Springs, NC. 

 

Relaxed in Hot Springs. ( Rock Steady and Chef napping on the porch )

 

Played in the French Broad River behind the cabin. 

 

Wildfires (from previous weeks ago) had burnt a lot of the mountainside in Hot Springs. It was interesting to see how and what the fire burnt. Legs is the hiker in the photo. We hiked a day or two in half burnt forests. 

 

Meadows are one of my favorites to hike through. 

 

After a 9, 17.9, 15, and 2 mile day, a shuttle picked up a group of 9 thru hikers (and a dog) and drove us Damascus, VA. Trail Days, simply put, is like the Appalachian Trail festival. Tent city is where hundreds of hikers and hiker supporters pitch their tents in the outfield of a baseball field and surrounding forests. A short walk away are vendors and food trucks and other tents selling or advertising. Churches and ministries support the hikers by providing shower and laundry services as well as a constant supply of food and other goodies. There was a vet there who gave chef a quick look over. He's doing well but I did notice a sore on his nose after we visited the vet. I got my feet washed and massaged. Needless to say they pamper the hikers. I speak for all of us when I say it is all greatly appreciated!

We picked up where we left off after the 3-day hiker party. Two states have been completed and four have been touched. Won't be too long until we get to Virginia again. 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Day 1

With five in our group, one member went a day ahead and would meet us later and Chef was kenneled, we set off for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We were welcomed with a thunder storm. For some reason we all decided we would just stick it out, get wet, and just throw pack covers on. After being completely soaked in the downpour, I looked up at the sky and yelled "throw some hail at us too!". I was quickly reminded not to test God. Boots filled with water and body covered in goose bumps from the cold rain we made it to the shelter. Having a dry pair of clothes and a warm meal was just what we all needed.

The first day wasn't all bad. We got to look back on Fontana Dam (where we started from that day).

Day 2

I hiked in my keen sandals because my boots were completely soaked. It turned out be not that bad of a day (didn't rain, good views). I did get new blisters on my feet from the sandals. 

Rocky Top Tennessee

Day 3

Turkeys were gobbling all morning and and actually came through camp. It seemed to be a good morning for everyone. Majority of the day's hike was to Clingmans Dome. The total mileage that day was 13 and my feet were hurting so bad when I got to camp, I was in tears. Luckily I was able to set up my tent before it really started raining. It rained all night and into the morning.

The hike to Clingmans Dome was almost like being in a fairytale land.

Day 4

After taking pain killers and putting on my wet socks and boots, hiking wasn't to bad despite the previous night's pain. I don't think my sandals gave me the support I needed for the terrain. The weather was foggy and drizzly all day. We were able to see a few views from the ridges. Walking on the ridge was pretty crazy. A look to the left and you can only see a couple yards out because of the dense fog. A look to the right and you see miles and miles of mountains framed by rolling fog. We put in 15 miles which was my longest day yet.

A look to the left.

A look to the right.

Day 5

Even after my longest day, my legs and feet felt pretty good. We arrived at the shelter around 4 o'clock and saw signs that read "Caution, active bear shelter". An older gentleman had a picture of one on his camera from just a few hours earlier. 

Day 6

We all survived a cold and bearless night and woke up extra early to pump out the last 10 miles of the Smokies. I left by 7am and had reached the edge park by 10:30am (there was hail covering the ground for most of the way out). It was only about 2.5 miles to the hostel. The 6 of us all split a cabin, got showers, ate hot food, washed clothes and relaxed for the later half of the day. Chef was dropped off at about 7 that evening. I'm not sure who was more excited about the reunion. 

The Calm Before The Storm

My days are getting to be a habitual routine. I wake up, go to the bathroom (anywhere private I can find), retrieve my bear bag, eat, pack up camp, hike anywhere from 8 to 12 miles a day (with snack and water breaks every couple miles), set up the tent, get water for the night and following morning, eat, go to bathroom again (so I don't have to go in the middle of the night), sleep and repeat. There may be some variation to my day but that pretty much sums it up. I know, it sounds boring but being out here is amazing and exhilerating! 

I get to see all sorts of wildlife, brush up on my bird ID skills (binoculars would be a help but this forces me to ID by call and song), and enjoy my experiences and pains with fellow thru hikers. During a group conversation I heard someone describe a past thru hike as the most amazing time of there life... interrupted by hiking. Everyone laughed because it's very true. Breath taking views and scenery and even the social aspects of the trail are all so great to soak up.... the 4000 foot elevation change in couple miles is the part that sucks. But! Completely worth it!

Chef and I both soaked our feet after the climb down the mountain to the NOC. Many hikers stopped here to rejuvenate and get "real" food. We shared a small bunk house that night with some fellow thru hikers. A good night's sleep was needed for the 8 mile climb the next morning. Then only a few days hike to Fontana Dam, NC. 

A last minute decision was made to take a 0 day at Fontana Dam. The kennel picked up Chef the night we arrived in town. Unfortunately he isn't allowed in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Five of us split a cabin and made a feast of a breakfast the next morning. The day was filled with rest, food, beverages, swimming, and good ole sitting around doing nothing. Showers and clean clothes were also a huge plus! 

The smokeys will present many challenges. Hiking the trail is always tough but now I need to worry about norovirus, getting to shelters and finding a place to sleep, and the weather. Word travels quickly along the trail. And warning was given that norovirus was present in the GSM along with overcrowded shelters (these things usually coincide). On top of that it's supposed to rain the next couple days... majority of the time I'm in the park.  

Knowing this, I'm glad we took a 0 day. It gives the body and mind time to rest and it brings moral up. We had beautiful weather to swim and play. Now I'm ready to go with my group on to the next challenge.