Saturday, May 30, 2009
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.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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!
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!
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