Cow Mountain

What a wonderful feeling! I love every bit of it! It is so wonderful to be so close to nature. The 1st 3 days was rain, tent heavy when wet (carry weight - 47 lbs) Love my gear. Just for the records I did not fall on the trail, it was at the shelter with my clogs and I snapped my (R) hand middle finger - but duck tape works wonders ( put it on buddy system with ring finger).
I still have to get use to small tent and mummy sleeping bag. Left tent door open - received a visit from a tiny friend mouse. Lucky every thing stink so bad he turned around...now the door is closed. Sleep tonight on top of Cow Mountain about 5 miles from Neels Gap. Wonderful sunset - see city lights. All of us in bed..................


My trail name is "Crazy Lady" - Charlotte "Chipmunk" - Tyler "Patches"

Yes, I am still going north to Maine....

Trail Pictures - March 18th & 19th, 2009

Trail Pictures - March 14, 15, & 17th, 2009

Bear bag is a hikers sport: 1. You have to find the perfect tree

2. Aim and throw your rope

Patches is getting better everyday - last night only 3 tries. He is also getting better with hacky sack.

March 21, 2009 - Unicoi Gap - Trip Miles 50.9

Trail angel giving cheesburgers...

Tyler and Charlotte

in cheese burger
paradise.

Past week has been great! The trail magic the other day was just incredible. This man and his daughter gave us cheeseburgers. Patches parents brought us birthday cake. (Thank you so much). Waiting for my father to come and bring us our re-supply and Subway (foot long - all the way) We are all very excited about this. A storm is definitely rolling in, so we sill find out how well we sealed the other day - Hopefully really well!!! - Chipmunk

Back to Trail......................

Hog Pen Gap - Trip Miles 37.1

March 20, 2009

March 19, 2009

March 17 - After the Rain

First Week

Places Stayed:
Springer Mountain Shelter
Hawk Mountain Shelter
Gooch Mountain Shelter
Lance Creek
Cowrock Mountain

Well, we have survived our first week. Whooo! The anticipation from the first night is still clear however. Tyler and I had awoken early that day not knowing what would lay before us. As we waited for that sun to rise, my biggest fear was that soon my armpits would be very hairy.

Eventually, 6:30 came and we rose quickly to down the last of decent food we would have (for a week). It was a rainy(understatement), cold morning like one would expect any great journey to begin. Well let me tell you what, it continued that way for three more days. We signed in and weighed our packs at Amicalola Falls. They weighed in at 47-Tyler's, 45-Mum, and 40 Charlotte pounds. This is, of course, much heavier than we expected but what can one do?
Like I might have hinted above, it rained for quite some time. Our spirits were high so we simply didn't mind. The rain was so persistent that on the first night it actually rained inside the tent which was a rather rude awakening. Silly me, I had assumed that spending a large sum of money for things to be waterproof would make them so thus making me invincible. I was very humbled the next morning when everything was soaked.

The rain stopped and we all rejoiced as the sun came out.

There is much more that I would like to share but I am too tired.

So we hike on.

March 14 - Entering Approach Trail - Raining - 38 degrees