BACKPACK

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

UNICOI GAP TO FONTANA DAM

APRIL 24 - MAY 4, 2000

2000 AT HIKE

April 24, 2000 Monday Drive Columbia, MD to Fontana Dam, NC

Got up at 5:30 and ran 5.1 miles. Ate breakfast of orange juice, banana, toast with butter and raspberry jam and chocolate milk. Showered and packed a few last minute things. Left at 7:40 to pick up Jack Bateman in Elkridge. Picked up Jack and left his house about 8:10. Took US-1 to MD-100 to US-29 to I-70 to US-340 to VA-7 to I-81 to I-77 to US-19 to NC-28. Stopped at McDonalds for a shake for $1.63, then lunch of fish sandwich, fries and shake $5.53. Gased up after crossing NC line on I-77 taking 13.3 gallons at $1.349 for $18.00. Jack gave me $9. Drove through a lot of rain on the way down. Pulled into Tooties Reataurant in Stecoah, NC for supper of catfish, mashed potatoes, green beans, apple pie a la mode and ice tea for $9.91 plus $2 tip at 6:33. Pulled into The Hike Inn after 626.7 miles at 7:40 and talked to Jeff Hochs . Nancy came in and we paid her $50 each for the shuttle and $16.40 each for room #5. Talked to Kathy, a through hiker, about the trail. Showered and went to bed at 9:42 pm.

April 25, 2000 Tuesday Hike Unicoi Gap to Deep Gap Shelter

Rained a lot during the night and started up again as we got up at 6:00. Ate an orange and packed up. Jeff Hochs got back from a shuttle run and we took off about 7:20. 44 degrees and sporadic rain. We ran out of the rain on the way to Unicoi Gap. It remained overcast and threatening but no rain. We did have short periods of sun. The temperature rose to about 54 degrees.
Arrived at Unicoi Gap at 8:50. I gave Jeff a $20 tip and he took off. We got our stuff together and headed up the trail at 9:08. It was a good climb of 1000' out of Unicoi Gap up 4500' Rocky Mountain. We descended about 800' to 3700' Indian Grave Gap. We then ascended about 1300' in steps to 5000' Tray Mountain. We ate lunch of 2 peanut butter cracker packs, a power bar and granola bar. Descended 100' to Steeltrap Gap. We had several relatively small ups and downs and then ascended 1000' to 4800' Kelly's Knob then down 750' to 4050' Deep Gap Shelter at 4:40 pm. There are 6 through hikers including Blister and brother Dark Helmut, Ike, Unprepared and Firewood. The Georgia ridgerunner came in so we had 9 for the night. There is a loft on each side of the shelter hut so we are not crowded. There is a good fire going. Cooked supper of noodles Alfredo with tuna and cheesecake pudding. The temperature stands at 49 degrees and is falling. We had hiked 12.6 miles on the trail and 2/10 miles to the shelter. Got in bed at 8:30.

April 26, 2000 Wednesday Hike Deep Gap Shelter to Bly Gap

Got up at 6:30 and packed up. Ate breakfast of 2 blueberry oatmeal packets. It is cool but nice. Was 40 degrees when we got up. We hiked out of the shelter at 7:50. It was mostly sunny in the morning then it clouded up and we got a couple drops of rain about noon. It cleared up again and was mostly sunny. We hiked up about 300' then down about 1300' to Dicks Gap.
Went up 500' then down 300' to Cowart Gap. Hiked up 700' to Bull Gap then down 500' to Plumorchard Shelter for lunch of 2 peanut butter cracker packs at 12:40. There were about 8 or 9 eating lunch there. Hiked out at 1:25 and up about 350' to As Knob then down 400' to Blue Ridge Gap then up 550' and down 100' to Rich Cove Gap. Went up 500' to Bly Gap at 3:40 where we camped after 12.1 trail miles plus 6/10 miles down to the shelter and back. Set up tent and drank a pint of boullion, pint of hot chocolate and a pint of lemonade. Ate supper of stew and freeze dried ice cream. Firewood showed up and built a fire. Lost Sailer also showed up. Four guys hiking south camped on the ridge above us.

Ike - small guy with beard, young

Unprepared - young, wife and 4 yr old son, Army Ranger

Dark Helmut - brother from Buffalo, NY

Blister - brother, football player and coach at Alfred State in NY

Big Foot Bob Edge - older, dark, from Florida

Allen - older, fair, from Florida

Woodchuck - young, heavy set

Lost Sailer - young, from Indianapolis, sister posting log on Net

Firewood - 40s, son at Virginia Tech, from Connecticut, probably give up

April 27, 2000 Thursday Hike Bly Gap to Beech Gap

Got up at 6:24 am to 34 degrees. I slept well. Ate breakfast of 2 peach oatmeal packets. Packed up and struck my tent. Hiked out of camp at 7:55. Bly Gap is at 3800' We went up 500' in ¼ mile to Sharp Top then down 100' then up 200' then down very steep 100' then up 400' to 4700' Court House Bald. Hiked down 300' to Sassafras Gap then up 450' to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Saw most of the gang from the other night. We hiked up and down until we descended 500' into Deep Gap at 4400'. We stopped for lunch of 2 peanut butter cracker packs. It is sunny all day and up to 58 degrees. We climbed 1100' to the top of 5500' Standing Indian Mountain. I waited 20 minutes for Jack and ate a granola bar. Allen passed. We descended 1000' to 4500' Beech Gap arriving at 3:10 after 12.1 miles. Set up tent and got water. Drank a pint of boullion. I washed my face, arms, chest, T-shirt and shorts. Little dark gray birds hung around my feet. They don't fly much. Drank a pint of lemonade. Ate supper of seafood chowder and coconut cream pudding. It is a very pleasant campsite and we have it all to ourselves. Lost Sailer and Big Foot Bob went by and stopped briefly to talk. Hiking today I saw violets, forget-me-nots, may flowers, daiseys and others.

April 28, 2000 Friday Hike Beech Gap to Rainbow Springs

It rained all night. It started as soon as we were in bed and ended at 6:00 am. Got up at 6:24 to 40 degrees and packed up. Jack's sleeping bag got wet. Ate breakfast of 2 banana oatmeal packets. Started up the trail at 7:51. Descended 200' over 2 miles to 4300' Coleman Gap. Ascended 450' over one mile to 4700' then descended 100' to Carter Gap Shelter about ¼ mile later. Stopped for water and met Adam and Kate from North Carolina in their 20s. Hiked up 400' in about a mile to 5000' then down 200', up 100' then down 500' to 4300' Betty Creek Gap at 7 miles from camp. Ate a pack of peanut butter crackers and talked to Adam and Kate. We then ascended a series of ups and downs, where we passed Big Foot Bob, rising 500' to 4700' Bear Pen Gap. We then climbed 500' in ¼ mile to 5200' Albert Mountain.
We stopped for a pack of peanut butter crackers and climbed the tower. We then descended 200' in about ½ mile to Big Spring Shelter where we stopped for water. We went along a flat area for about a mile then escended 800' over 2 miles into 4200' Glassmine Gap then ascended 300' then descended 800' to 3700' Wallace Gap 16 miles from camp. We started walking down Old US-64 west ¼ mile when we were picked up in a pickup truck and taken to Rainbow Springs Campground. We checked into Cabin #2 at $27.50 each. Drank a V8 that was delicious. Unpacked and hung wet tent on front porch to dry. Showered and shaved. Walked up and did our laundry $.75 wash and $1.00 to dry. Ate a pizza $7.25, 2 root beers, pint of butter pecan ice cream and a bottle of water. Bought a comb for $.25 and tea bags $1.49. We covered 16 trail miles plus another mile for water twice and down the road.

April 29, 2000 Saturday Hike Rainbow Springs to Wayah Bald

Got up at 7:00 and packed up. At 8:10 put on boots and walked up to the store. Talked to Ike and others for a few minutes. The store opened about 8:22. Ate a breakfast pizza and settled my bill at $45. Paul with a Yankee hat shuttled Jack and I to the trail and we started up out of the gap at 8:48. It's mostly sunny and cool in the 40s. The brothers Blister and Dark Helmut soon passed us. A woman came by and then 15 college girls going in the opposit direction. Unprepared (Army Ranger) passed as we stopped for lunch of beef stroganoff. We started up at 3700' Wallace Gap and climbed 800' in a mile and three quarters then descended 700' into 3800' Winding Stair Gap and crossed US-64. We climbed 1300' in stages to 5000' Siler Bald. We then descended 900' into 4100' Wayah Gap then up 1300' then down 400' then 400' up to 5400' Wayah Bald. We climbed the tower. It got cold and rained lightly. We then descended 4/10 mile to our campsite at 4:36. It was still raining lightly so we set up our tents quickly. The rain stopped and the sun came out. It was 48 degrees. Drank a pint of beef bouillon and a pint of hot chocolate. Ate supper of sweet and sour pork with rice and pistachio pudding. We hiked 13.6 miles today. Went to bed at 8:10.

April 30, 2000 Sunday Hike Wayah Bald Camp to Wesser Bald Shelter

Got up at 6:34 to 38 degrees. Packed up, struck tent and ate breakfast of 2 strawberry oatmeal packets. Sunny and warming up quickly. Walked out at 8:22 and 44 degrees.
Walked down for about a mile then across the flat for another mile. Climbed 200' then down 400' over 2 miles to 4300' Burningtown Gap. Climbed 900' to 5200' Copper Ridge Bald. We bounced up and down for a mile and a half on Rocky Bald. Ate lunch of Louisiana beans and rice. We then descended 1150' to 3900' Tellico Gap. We then climbed 700' to 4600' Wesser Bald. Climbed the tower for some nice views. Met a couple of day hikers. Descended 500' over .8 miles to Wesser Bald Shelter about 3:00 after 11.1 miles. Talked to Lost Sailer who then headed for the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) a distance of 5.7 miles. Walked back up the trail to get great water coming out of a concrete box. Drank a pint of beef bouillon, pint of lemonade and a pint of chicken bouillon. A young couple of day hikers came by followed 15 minutes later by another young lady. Ate supper of chili mac beef and chocolate pudding. Adam and Kate came in for the night. Went to bed at 8:10.

May 1, 2000 Monday Hike Wesser Bald Shelter to Sassafras Shelter

Got up at 6:34 and packed up. Ate breakfast of 2 blueberry oatmeal packets. Got away at 7:25. Basicly we had to descend from 4100' to 1700' at Wesser. There were many 100' - 200' climbs but essentially we went down. We had to descend Jumpup Lookout which was very steep and required some climbing down over rocks and tree roots. Saw many flowers of every color and description. I recognized some triliums, buttercups, mayflowers, violets, forget-me-nots and many many more. All kinds of bird songs were continuous in the morning. We arrived at NOC in Wesser 5.7 miles from camp about 10:20 am. Jack bought some items in the outfitter shop. We went to the Riverside Restaurant for ice tea, zuccini curry soup, fries, chili cheeseburger for $12.97 including tip. Watched a kayaker practice through the window. We started up the mountain at 11:42. We passed a young couple in the first 45 minutes. We had to climb from 1700' to 4800' Swain Bald in 6 miles . There were a few 100' downs. Caught Lost Sailer and Pipeline (steelworker from Sharon, PA) at a Spring after about 2 hours. Caught Rick292 at about the 5 mile mark. We topped Swain Bald and descended .7 miles to Sassafras Shelter just before 4:00 after 6.7 miles. We hiked 12.6 miles today. I was real proud of Jack as he kept coming and we passed all those younger people who started up before us. They were impressed as some made comments as we gathered at the shelter. Set up tents on a ridge above the shelter and next to the trail. Got water and drank a pint of beef bouillon, pint of tea, pint of lemonade and a pint of hot chocolate. Ate supper of spaghetti and butterscotch pudding. The young couple we passed arrived, then 2 older men and then 2 young guys (Chuck and George) from Raleigh, NC. Went to bed at 8:15. It is warm.

May 2, 2000 Tuesday Hike Sassafras Shelter to Cody Gap

It sprinkled rain soon after I got into my tent last night. It did that many times during the night.I got up at 1:55 am and the skies were all stars. I got up at 6:15 am and it had just stopped raining. It was 52 degrees and a very warm night. I didn't zip my sleeping bag. Packed up and struck my tent and ate 2 banana oatmeal packets. It started raining and we started out at 7:36. It rained pretty hard for an hour then stopped and slowly cleared so that the afternoon was sunny and a warm 72 degrees. We climbed 600' to 5100' Cheoah Bald in about 1.25 miles. It was a very steep climb. We then dropped 1400' with a 100' climb to 3700' Locust Cove Gap. The last 500' down was very steep! We then seesawed between 3700' and 3900' for 2.5 miles until we dropped precipitously 700' to 3200' Stecoah Gap. NC143 passes through here and we stopped for lunch of chicken a la king. Talked to Hans Solo and watched 15 -20 birdwatchers try to get organized. A tough 500' climb then another 300' precipitous drop to Sweetwater Gap.
Then we climbed 600' with a very very steep grade then seesawed a 100 feet then down 350' to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. We hiked .2 miles to the shelter plus another .1 mile to the water then back to the trail. We then climbed 300' very very steep, then down just as steep. We passed Hogback Gap and did a gentle climb to 3600' Cody Gap at 3:33. We hiked 11.9 trail miles plus .6 miles to get water. This is a very nice campsite that is secluded, flowers everywhere and a great spring (a long walk down). I got water for Jack and I and set up my tent. Drank 2 pints of beef bouillon, a pint of water, a pint of lemonade and a pint of tea. Ate supper of chicken polynesian and vanilla pudding. Very pleasant evening sunny and warm, a gentle breeze and birds singing everywhere. I saw a 6" lizzard and some millipedes on the trail today. We saw only two hikers today so we were alone all day. About 7:30 Chuck and George came in for a rest. They are from Raleigh and hiking for 4 or 5 days doing long distances each day. Tom and son Tom came in to spend the night. Chuck and George took off at 7:45 pm. Tom is retired and from near Peoria, Illinois. I went to bed at 8:15. After dark Amy and friend from Bates College in Maine came in and set up next to me.

May 3, 2000 Wednesday Hike Cody Gap to Fontana Dam

Could hear the owls screeching and squawking all night. Pretty warm night. Got up at 6:18 to 52 degrees and packed up. Jack is already up. Struck my tent and ate breakfast of 2 peach oatmeal packets and a cup of tea. Hiked out at 7:22. Within ½ hour Amy's friend passed us. Hiked up 300' to 3900' then started down in a series of steps 900' to 3000' Yellow Creek Gap then over a small hump to Cable Gap Shelter where we stopped and ate a pack of peanutbutter crackers. We climbed 600' then down 100' then up 300' to 3800' before starting our 5 mile 2100' descent to 1700' Fontana Dam. Visitors Center. Amy passed us at the peak. We stopped at 3500' Walker Gap for a granola bar. Crossed NC-28 at 12:00. Stopped for peanutbutter crackers then hiked the surprisingly up and down 1.4 miles to the visitors center at 12:55. Talked to Amy and a ranger. Jack called Nancy Hochs at the Hike Inn to pick us up. We rode back with Bandit. Paid $16.35 each for Room #2 and drank a cream soda for $.50. We hiked 10.2 miles. Showered and cleaned up! 4:00 drove to Tooties Restaurant for 2 ice teas, barbeque pork, fries, slaw, corn bread with butter, green beans and vanilla shake for $9.65 plus $1 tip. There have been severe thunderstorms and steady rain since 5:30. Thank the Lord we are not out there tonight.

May 4, 2000 Thursday Drive Fontana Dam to Columbia, MD

Got up at 5:17 and packed up. Drove east on NC-28 in the fog at 5:50. Turned left on US-19 to I-40 to I-77 to I-81 to VA-7 to US-340 to MD-34 to Alternate US-40 to I-70 to US-29 to MD-100 to US-1 to Jack's in Elkridge. Stopped in Bryson City, NC McDonalds for orange juice, milk and pancakes for $3.63. Stopped at Cracker Barrell in Roanoke for chicken, dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravey, biscuit, corn bread and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Went through Shepherdstown because traffic was stopped at Harpers Ferry. Dropped Jack off and arrived home at 6:10 pm.