Category — General

I think most people have a favorite place. A place that really means something to them. A place that becomes a refuge from the “real” world.

For me that place is Springer Mountain. As soon as I start the .9 mile walk to the summit I can feel all the distractions from life fade away. Springer Mountain is my goto place when I feel like I need to re-focus and re-center. For me Springer is all about new beginnings. Kind of fitting since so many people start their thru-hike journeys from here.

I feel blessed that I can pick up anytime I want and get to Spinger fairly easy. I have also been blessed that all the times that I have gone there to spend time with myself I have arrived to now crowds of people.

Here are some various of images of my trips to Springer. I love taking people there as well.

Fontana Dam – Campsite #90 – 5.6 miles

The first week of April brought a week long trip with my friend from North Carolina Sweet Pea. It was kind of a strange trip in that we did Dick’s Creek Gap to Winding Stair Gap then flipped and did Springer to Woody Gap. For a total of about 60 miles.

This won’t be an extensive trip report for no reason other than I don’t feel like writing alot about it right now. When I find my journals I will write more.

Day 1: April 5th – Dick’s Creek Gap to Bly Gap – 9 miles

Tough day overall. Alot of longish uphill walking.Ran into a super snobby thru hiker. When she found out we weren’t thrus she turned her nose and kept walking. Later when I got the Bly Gap she informed me that we could camp up top (away from where she was I am sure). I bet she’s off the trail now. Camped on the upper portion near the “famous” tree. Great view of the stars.

Day 2: April 6th – Bly Gap to Standing Indian Mountain – 9.2 miles
This was an awesome day for me. This was the strongest I have ever felt while hiking. Even the last climb of the day didn’t put me in a mood. I guess working out can make a difference. Camping atop Standing Indian has so far been my favorite place. The sky was clear, a beautiful sunset and then the stars came out. What else could one ask for? Except for maybe a closer water source.

Day 3: April 7th – Standing Indian to campsite before Albert Mountain – 11.8ish miles

Another great day. At first I didn’t thinnk North Carolina wanted us to visit. The trail was actually quite steep for the first part of they day. The NC decides that “hey, you’re ok” and gives us the most amazing trail ever. Nice, without alot of up and downs. Our friend Kellye met us at Mooney Gap and brought us trail magic. Oranges and Reese’s and ice cold Diet Coke.

Day 4: April 8th – Albert to Winding Stair – 10.2 miles
Otherwise known as the day of the torential downpour. We made it up to the top of Albert without any rain but no views from the top. This was my second time with no view. We made it to Big Spring Shelter and took a break and the rain just let loose. We hung around trying to wait for the rain to stop but no such luck. So we had to hike about 9 miles in the pouring rain. There goes my record of never having to have hiked in any major rain. I think we made it the 9 miles in about 3 hours. I ain’t ever hiked that fast in my life.

We stayed at Kellye’s place this night and washed our gear and ate at Longhorn’s and played Wii Fit (which is the most hilarious thing ever). And decided to hike Springer to Woody since SweetPea had never hiked that section

Things were looking kind of bleak for me last year when it was time for me to get a job. No more packing up and heading out when I wanted. It was actually kind of depressing.

Summer of 2008 to Summer of 2009 was such a great year for me. I backpacked all over. 2008 brought the AT in North Carolina and the Smokies, completed the AT in Maryland and a little in PA, met Dirigo and Python who let me tag along to hike part of the 100 Mile Wilderness. 2009 brought alot of mini adventures for me. I hiked from Davenport Gap to Allen Gap. I discovered the Smokies and fell in love with the mountains there.

2010 is looking to be a great year of adventures for me.
I have a pretty cool boss at work and she approved alot of time off for me. So, although I can’t pick up and go when I want to, I have 4 awesome trips to look forward to.

~ April is bringing a hike from Dicks Creek Gap to where ever I end up. I have 9 days to hike. I’ll be hiking most of the time with my good friend Kellye.

~ May is bringing an awesome journey along the BMT through the Smokies. I will be hiking this with my fabulous friend Fab. You can check out her blog under Sweet Peas Adventures. It’s on the right over there.

~ June is bringing a Traildames trip in the Smokies. We will be hanging out for a week at a campground and doing some dayhikes and an overnighter for those that want.

~ September is the trip pf all trips. 2 weeks in Glacier National Park Montana. The second week will be spent doing trail maintenance with Wilderness Volunteers. The first week I will be doing a 4 day/3 night backpacking trip with Glacier Guides. That leaves a couple of days for me to do what I want.

Yep. 2010 is looking like an awesome year for the slowest hiker on earth.