WREN Agent Hiking Appalachian Trail

Hiawassee - AYCR bluffer - flip flop...

by Thomas Larkin on 03/25/13

Saturday, March 23, 2013:

After a wonderful Friday night in Hiawassee, GA including an AYCE bluffer, we were forced to flip flop the next segment. Instead of proceeding North, we could only get a shuttle to a room 17 miles north of where we got off the Trail. Consequently we will hike southbound for 2 days and shuttle back to today's origin point- Dicks Creek Gap. Tomorrow we hope to stay in our first hostel- The Blueberry Patch- should be great fun and good stories. It is currently 8:45 and it just started raining- hope it stays in the 40 temp range. Also hope rain stops early AM so we can tear down and keep our equipment dry. Turning in. Good night John boy.

Comments (2)

Walkin' In The Woods

by Thomas Larkin on 03/22/13

Dave's latest post from the AT - and Linda's comments! Check out his photos by clicking on the Button above.

March 22, 2013:

28 degree night but no snow or rain. Packed up everything while hunkered down in the tent, broke camp about 9 am and headed up the cold trail. Arrived at Unicom Gap at 3:00 pm and hitched a ride into Hoawaissi for a nice, all you can eat buffet and a warm dry room. Picture of trail to follow...

A Note from Tripper (Linda)

Attached is photo I took of David as we hiked on the trail very near Unicoi Gap, where he spent the night last night. Notice how the trees are very well marked with the white blaze of the A.T. trail.

It might have been chilly last night - but we all know the real reason for spending the night in a hotel - there's a TV - NCAA and March Madness! Tonight, David will be on the trail - but will be at Dick's Creek Gap at "The Blueberry Patch" on Sunday in time to watch UNC beat Kansas.

No more towns near the trail for the next 50 miles. I will meet him Friday in Franklin, NC for some great Italian food at the local Hot Spot.

Linda

Comments (0)

No Post from Dave today - so we have Tripper's (Linda's) post!

by Thomas Larkin on 03/21/13

Dave is out of range of a cell tower, so couldn't send a post today. So we've posted his wife's comments from last Sunday and Monday:

On Sunday, we checked in at the visitors center at the base of Springer Mountain. David registered for the thru hike - all the way to Maine. To get to the start of the trail, you can hike up the 8 miles from here, or drive (narrow, bumpy, scary, dirt road) to the parking lot a mile from the start

at the from top of Springer Mountain. We found a spot for a picnic next to the Amicolola Water Falls. There are about 700 steps and bridges from the visitors center to the top of the falls. The approach trail to the top of Springer Mountain is just above the falls.

We then drove (on said narrow, bumpy, scary dirt road) the 10 miles to the parking lot. The weather was beautiful, so we strapped on our packs, and hiked the mile in to the start of the trail where David could sign the book at the top. Next photo is David (I mean CABO) sitting on the rock marking the start. Good thing we did this, too, cause next morning was all mist and fog. Last 2 photos are of Cabo as he hits the trail...he said he would be riding off into the sunset - but it's more like disappearing into the mist.

Tripper

(My trail name - as I have now hiked to the top of Springer Mountain - am a travel agent - and always manage at least one spill on every trip I take!)

Comments (0)

Day 3 of the trek - Dave's post and Linda's comments

by Thomas Larkin on 03/21/13

March 20, 2013

From Dave: Started out at Woody Gap promptly at 8:30 am. Reached Blood Mountain about noon. Beautiful day so we hung out for over an hour eating lunch and admiring the scenery. Could see Atlanta skyline 87 miles away. Arrived at Neel Gap about 2:30 and chowed down on hot dogs, pizza,and orange soda. Checked into Blood Mountain Cabins to share with 4 others. Supposed to get to 23 degrees tonight.

From Linda: Blood Mountain is also the highest peak on the A.T. in Georgia (4,461 feet). According to the tales of the Creek and Cherokee, a battle between the two nations on the slopes of the mountain left so many dead and wounded that the ground ran red with blood, which inspired the name.

Attached is a photo I took from behind the hostel at Neel Gap, at the base of Blood Mountain. We stopped here to leave a box of food and supplies. It was a little bit hazy- so couldn't see Atlanta -but if you look closely, you

know it's out there.

I'm glad he found a cabin to sleep in. There are some shelters and places to camp on Blood Mountain - there are also lots of bears! So, the cold isn't the only reason to be under a roof with 4 walls!

Linda

NOTE: we're working on getting the photos on the BLOG - so far it's TECH 3 - US 0

Comments (0)

Second day on the AT

by Thomas Larkin on 03/20/13

March 19, 2013

2nd day on the trail went pretty well- 12 miles after a rainy, thunderstorm, sleepless night. Weather looks clear and cold for the next 7 days so I'll be looking for a warm cabin or hostel to hole up in at night. Tomorrow will be a 10 mile day from Woody Gap to Meals Gap. After that I'm going to be sleeping in the cold for a few days.

Comments (0)

The Adventure's Begun - 1st Post from AT!

by Thomas Larkin on 03/18/13

Here's Dave's first post from the trail:

March 18, 2013

Linda dropped me off at 8:30 am on the trailhead. Thick fog and light rain. Hiked for 3 hours and 7 miles to a shelter where there was space. Could have walked further, but chose the roof instead. Thunderstorms tonight and clear sky's for the next few days.

Comments (0)

So what do you take on a 2,200 mile hike?!?!?!

by Thomas Larkin on 03/18/13

From Dave on 3/14/13 at 11:48 pm:

This is what will sustain me for the next 6 mos. Leave tomorrow for GA (3/15) and start walking on Monday (3/18). (Click Here)

Comments (0)

One More Day...

by Thomas Larkin on 03/17/13

Dave and Linda spent another day dropping off food boxes and enjoying the towns along the way to the start of the AT. Here's Dave's post:

March 16, 2013:

Another fabulous day in north Georgia. Temps in 70's. More food box drops and trail magic - the hikers loved the candy bars and gatorade we passed out. Hiked the tallest mtn. in Ga to warm up, but not very primitive.

Paved trails. Great dinner in German tourist trap Helen, Ga. Tomorrow, waterfalls and then a rainy Monday start of the AT.

Comments (0)

On the way to Georgia!

by Thomas Larkin on 03/16/13

Dave and his wife left for Georgia today, making stops in NC, SC and GA to drop off food and provisions along the trail. Here's his first post from the trail:

March 15, 2013:

Dropped off food boxes in Lake Fontana and Nantahala b4 stopping in Franklin for the night. Comfort inn gave us several recommendations for dinner. New place opened in the Hot Spot gas station by some Dude from New York City- Cafe Reiu. Chicken livers in brandy, mussels in white wine and garlic, eggplant Napolian, and bacon wrapped scallops. This place was awesome! Entrees $12. Lg portions. Delicious! If they listed this place in the hikers guides no one would get back on the trail. Tomorrow more box drops and maybe a little trail magic where the trail intersects highways- Linda has snickers and Gatorade for the weary.

Comments (0)

The Journey Starts March 17th!

by Thomas Larkin on 03/12/13

WREN Broker Dave Brantley will start his 6-month journey of the Appalachian Trail on March 17, 2013. Follow Dave's experiences and adventures along the way. For those of you unfamiliar with the Appalachian Trial, below is a short description:

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. The precise length of the trail changes over time as trails are modified or added. The total length is approximately 2,200 miles (3,500 km). The trail passes through the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland,Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The path is maintained by 30 trail clubs and multiple partnerships, and managed by theNational Park Service and the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The majority of the trail is in wilderness, although some portions traverse towns, roads and cross rivers.

The Appalachian Trail is famous for its many hikers, some of whom, called thru-hikers, attempt to hike it in its entirety in a single season. Many books, memoirs, web sites and fan organizations are dedicated to this pursuit.

Comments (0)