Trip Report for 8/31/13 to 9/3/12 Appalachian trail - Dicks Creep Gap GA to Deep Gap NC
Friday 8/31/12: Day one tracks - red ( 1.1 miles)
Saturday 9/1/12: Day two tracks- blue ( 9 miles)
Sunday 9/2/12: Day three tracks- green ( 7.6 miles)
17.7 miles total distance walked
Starting pack weight with 1 liter of water and 4 days of food: 21 lbs
Weather:
Friday night 8/31: humid with a light breeze H86º/L 68º
Saturday 9/1: Sunny and clear H88º/L64º
Sunday9/2: Cloudy with rain in the afternoon H84º/L65º
Gear List:
ULA Circuit Backpack
OXGEAR Hammock
OXGEAR 40º Underquilt
OXGEAR 11x7 cat cut tarp
OXGEAR bugsock
Serria Designs 20º mummy bag
1/2 length closed cell foam pad
fleece pullover
polypro long johns
GSI kettle
DIY alcohol stove
DIY windscreen
mini bic lighter
OXGEAR freezer bag cooking cozy
long handle lexan spoon
5 oz of stove fuel
2 plastic one liter bottles
OXGEAR water bag and sawyer inline water filter
Bear bag line
Toiletries
small bottle of hand sanitizer
extra line
50 gallon black trash bag for overnight pack storage
several plastic grocery sacks for trash
pinnacle headlamp 100 lumens
Garmin 62s GPS
2 spare AA batteries
Cellphone ( used as camera since i killed my old one)
The Hike:
After my hiking buddy Maddog and I got back from our last adventure on Yonha Mountain, we had discussed hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. The only issue I found is that unlike Maddog, I don't have the time to do a thru-hike. I decided the only way to hike the entire trail will be one section at a time. When I realized I was going to have some time this weekend, I sent out the alert to Maddog. I showed up at his house at 6 p.m. Friday and we headed to the Dick's Creek Gap parking area located at N 34º 54.728 W 83º 37.130. After battling with holiday traffic around Atlanta and a quick stop for dinner, we made it to the trail head at around 10:30 p.m. So not unlike our last hike, we slung our packs on, fired up our head lamps, and we headed up the mountain to the first camp site that was about 1 mile in. The trail to the first campsite climbed slowly and steadily up the side of the mountain. As expected, this highly used section of trail was very well maintained and easy walking. We reached the campsite at 11:15 p.m. There was already a couple set up in a tent at the campsite and greeted us with hello and a smile as we reached them. We quickly setup camp and were soon fast asleep in our hammocks.
The next morning I woke up with Maddog shaking my hammock wildly about until I almost fell out of it! I gave in and got up to find that he already had his camp broke down and breakfast on to cook. After realizing it was after 9 a.m., I got it in gear as I knew we had a long hike in front of us today. After a tasty breakfast of coffee, cheese grits w/ bacon and some blueberry pop tarts I was good to go. The couple in the tent were still sleep so we quietly made our way out of camp and up the trail towards Plum Orchard Gap Shelter. The Initial climb out of camp wasn't too bad, and was a good stretch to get ready for the climb to come. The trail at this point is nothing short of immaculate, and well worn from 75 years of hikers who have tread this mountain before us. It climbed and wound around the peaks, led us along ridge lines, and down into valleys. The serenity and beauty of this section of trail was amazing.
We had the pleasure of running into a few other hikers along the way on this trip. A family of three caught up with us as we were about half way to Plum Orchard Gap. We stopped for a rest break and chatted with them for awhile. As we were chatting another fellow and his lab came up the trail and stopped for a bit, but quickly headed on. We ran into him again on day three as we approached the Muskrat Creek Shelter. He was already headed back to the parking area. That guy is a hiking machine, as this terrain is nothing to take lightly. We all headed on up the trail and soon enough the family was putting distance on us and we didn't see them again. We did run into another group a little later about 2 miles from Plum Orchard. We affectionally dubbed them " Hard Rock and the Cafe" as the guy was sporting a few neck tattoo's , was rocking the bandana sweatband and reeked of marijuana smoke. The two girls were… well a good match for Hard Rock, and I will leave it at that. They were charging up the hill at break neck speeds for about 100 yards then stopping to rest for 10-15 minutes. Maddog and I were going at a pretty steady pace at this point and soon passed them on our way to get some lunch.
We arrived at the shelter and took the opportunity to refill our water as there was a really nice water source at the Plum Orchard Gap shelter. I filled up my graving water bag and was able to hang it right outside the shelter. We finished the water we had and enjoyed a bite to eat and some rest. We filled up our water and met three more guys who had just come in from the direction we were headed. We spoke for a bit and let them go ahead and fill up their water bottle's with what I had left in my filter set up to save them a little time in getting camp set up. We headed out as we were only halfway done with our journey for the day. One the way out we ran into Hard Rock and the Cafe girls already setting up camp for the night. They said they had a hard time just getting there and they were out for 10 days. I sure hope they made it, as they seemed ill prepared for the journey ahead of them. The rest of the hike to Bly Gap was uneventful except for terrible leg cramps I experienced about half way up the last climb. I pushed on as we neared the GA/NC line since I knew I would get a brief relief from the pain. Maddog luckily had some electrolyte replacement, so I downed them and some more water. I started gnawing on a cliff bar as we took a chance to get some photos at the state line. We finally headed on up to our highest elevation of the day to Bly Gap. We made it to camp at about 5 p.m. and soon had camp set up.
After setting up camp, we went looking for the water source that was supposed to be 30 yards away. It turned out the water source was 100 yards to the north and about 200 yards down a very steep slope. Once we got to the water, it was just a very small trickle running across the ground. I dug a hole large enough to get my dipping cup down into and blocked off the back with some stones from the creek bed so the water would pool up. It took a few minutes of the fresh water to push out the sediment I stirred up while digging. I had a lot of water to gather for the two of us, so by only getting 4 oz's. out of my little pool at a time I lost count at around 100 dips of the cup. After about 20 minutes of gathering water I had enough because I wasn't going back down again to get water! Maddog took pity on me halfway up the hill and carried that gallon and half of water the rest of the way to camp.
As we set up camp we met one of the two other guys that were already set up at Bly Gap. Mark and his hiking companion, Sunny the yellow lab as well as nice guy who's name I can't remember sadly. They were both laid back and we had a great time telling stories and enjoying some dinner. As we were talking, the issue of getting a ride back to the parking area came up. As we were both parked at opposite ends and hiking opposite directions, Mark was kind enough to hand over the keys to his car for us to drive from Deep Gap back to Dick's Creek Gap. This worked great so we wouldn't have to hike all the way back and he wouldn't have to wait on a ride. About that time, our attention was turned to the sound of ATV's. Not a sound we expected to hear… as they approached the top of the hill and pulled over to our camp. They were looking for a sick hiker… the young man that was with his family. We let the ranger know what they were wearing and where they told us they were going. The search and rescue party worked late into the night to get to him, as we heard the sounds of chainsaws and the ATV's making their way to Muskrat Creek shelter where they located the young man. While we were waiting on news of the sick hiker we talked about gear, hammocking and my adventures in gear making and the start of OXGEAR outdoor equipment. it was a pleasure to meet both of them, and just one more reason why I enjoy hiking. You may meet some crazy people, but then you get the chance to meet gentlemen like them as well.
We broke camp at about 8 a.m., traded info with Mark and got the keys to his car and headed off for our last day of hiking. The initial elevation climb of 500 feet didn't seem too bad until we hiked it first thing in the morning, and it was not a gentle climb.. it was straight up, and just kept going up. There was a brief reprieve before the climb up to around 4,700 feet. We then came to a steep descent and lost the elevation we gained. We then headed back up the mountain again to an elevation of 4800 feet. By this time the gray skies started to rumble and the rain began to fall. We hiked on in the rain to the Muskrat Creek shelter. Thankfully the water source was close by and plentiful. We filled up our water again and enjoyed our last meal on the trail. The rest of the hike was very pleasant and quiet as we made our way through tunnels of rhododendron, through groves of magnolia and along oak, hickory, and poplar filled ridge lines. The final decent to the Deep Gap parking area was very rocky and slick from the recent rains. The downhill climb was slower than we anticipated, but I think part of it was just that we didn't want to leave the trail just yet. It is always a bittersweet moment when the hike is done. You are glad to see the car, but that part of you that pulled you to the mountain just doesn't want to leave. As to take our minds off of leaving, there was a couple who had come to scout out the North trail head at Deep Gap. Lucky for us they had extra fried chicken and biscuits they didn't eat from there picnic lunch. I love fried chicken but I swear that was the best fried chicken I have ever eaten! We spoke with them for awhile and thanked them for the delicious chicken. We were able to find Mark's car and made our way back to the trail head just in time to meet him as he came off the trail.
The whole trip was amazing. We met some great people and had a blast. This hike was not an easy one. I will go ahead and say that parts of if were down right painful. I realized though, that even though my legs were killing me and my lungs felt like they might explode, the peace and serenity made me forget all about it. I was in such awe of where I was, I didn't think about anything except the beauty. Just to breathe in the heavy humid mountain air, to listen to the leaves rustle on the trees and the sounds of my foot steps echoing in the quiet stillness was awesome. This is why I hike, and this is what this trail is all about to me. It quietly lets you know what kind of person you are. Do you have the perseverance to continue on or are you the kind of person that gives up? If you don't know which one you are, this trail will tell you loud and clear, but in a soft voice that only you can hear. That voice is what will keep calling me back, to keep testing me, and pushing me. Not only to be a better hiker and outdoorsman, but also to be a better person in life. To enjoy the time we have here and make the most of it.
Happy Hiking,
OX
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