5/30/09

Our hikers called again today with lots of updates! They stayed at Molly's Ridge Shelter, NC last night. They have registered at the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Before entering they stopped at the gorgeous Fontana Dam, NC. They have been followed by wild turkeys on the trail and even had a mother black bear and medium-sized cub run across the trail about 50 yards away! Luckily the bears amazingly ran away up a hill at an amazing speed in fear of our hikers. Jack and Chris report there are not too many people on the trail at this point and they are now experiencing beautiful weather again after about six days of rain. They hiked 24 miles on Friday. Jack reports that they don't have trail names yet. But compared to other journals I have read, they are walking at great speed.

May 27, 2009/May 28, 2009

Hikers report that tonight they will be visiting Nantahala Outdoor Center to resupply. Been raining a lot and trying to keep packs dry. Stayed at Wayah Shelter last night. Two guys from NC State joined the shelter. Hot Springs, North Carolina will be their next resupply stop in another week, at which time they should be through the Smokey Mountains.

Jack and Chris report that they resupplied at Nantahala but did not find a lot of food. They enjoyed their first great clean-up in a while They were really hungry and a woman approached them with a nice offer....She would give them a great meal if in turn they would visit her First Baptist Church sanctuary and listen to a religious choir program. They graciously accepted this trail angel offer and found the meal delightful for their ravished stomachs! Must have been an answer to prayer.

Jack and Chris' mom and dad meanwhile went out to dinner on Friday night and saw a man with a Great Smokey Mountain t-shirt. Jack and Chris' dad approached the man after the meal and found out that in fact this man's female companion had finished a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail a few years ago! She did the entire trail from mid-May to the end of August, just like Jack and Chris intend. She predicted once Jack and Chris make it to Pennsylvania that they will be do 30+ miles a day.

May 26, 2009

Hikers reported staying at Big Spring shelter, North Carolina 98.5 miles from Springer Mountain. on 5/25. Albert Mountain at 97.9 miles was beautiful! Hikers saw a bobcat.
Hikers called at noon on 5/26 and reported coordinates at Winding Stair Gap, NC, 107.6 miles from Springer Mountain. Intended destination on 5/26 is Wayah Shelter, NC at 118.6 miles from Springer Mountain starting point.

Still waiting to get "hiker feet." This is supposed to occur after two full weeks of hiking. Almost one week has gone by since beginning their journey. Photos and more details soon to be posted by our hikers.

Heading toward the Great Smokey Mountains! Glorious views!

5/24/09

Our hikers report gorgeous views. They stayed at Muskrat Creek Shelter in North Carolina this night. Now 79.2 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia. Enjoying the beauty and the community. Met a student from Boston who attends Georgetown who knows students at McGill. Having a great time!

Eyespot 5/23/09

Hikers report passing Tray Mountain, 55 miles from Springer Mountain over an hour ago. Will be in North Carolina tomorrow. View of Blue Ridge Mountains is gorgeous. Their feet are in pain however.

Eyespot 7

Our hikers reported they are safe and were on Blood Mountain, Georgia, 28 miles from starting point of Springer Mountain. First partial day they hiked 17 miles and stayed at the Gooch Mountain Shelter. Local coordinates wer N34 44.464 W 83 55.237. It was neat staying in the first shelter. They talked to a lady who works for the Appalachian Trail. They abandoned the first two kids as they were not keeping the same pace.

No news.

No news is good news while on the trail.

Eyespot 5

Hikers reported safe arrival in Georgia. Met two similar chaps from northern Virginia with same goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Deemed fortuitous. Shared taxi fare four ways to Springer Mountain, economizing and increasing safety. By now, they must be on the trail!

Eyepost #4 5/20/09

Trip begun.

Eyespot #3 5/20/09

Getting close to departure time. Some scheduling conflicts have occurred. Final countdown requires checking packing of recent food purchase. Can tell anticipation is building. See you later!

Eyespot #2

Preparation nearly complete. Still looking for transport to first trail destination. Gainesville in 48. Nerves on edge. Family still bugging about the safety details.

Wednesday Night

Eye's 1st Post

Pretty excited about the upcoming adventure. Not a boring moment in the horizon. A glimpse of Americana. Who would have known?

So, this will be the place to receive all updates on our Appalachian Trail thru hike attempt. Most likely our lovely mother will be doing the majority of the typing. We found my laptop a bit of a nuisance to hike with. We will call in every few days and update our whereabouts and other essential facts. When we get access to the internet, via hostels or town libraries, we will try and upload our pictures/videos/thoughts/admirations. We know many of you think we are crazy, others wish they were here. I just want everyone to be in the know. Chris and I will have all of you in our minds throughout this grueling but rewarding endeavor. Keep it real, Jack.