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Bad weather
Posted on May 13, 2008 by Evan Brunell
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Hot Springs, NC to Damascus, VA
It is difficult to get to a computer and I have 10 min. only! Hot Springs to Erwin,TN was 68 miles in 4 days thru a forest fire and rainstorm. Erwin to Damascus was 121 miles and yesterday went 21 miles thru violent thunder and lighting storms. A lightning bolt and I could smell burning. What does that mean?
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And a-hiking we go…
Posted on May 7, 2008 by Brad Cook
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Photo gallery right here from the last couple of days!
Mile marker 294.4
Posted on May 2, 2008 by Brad Cook
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I am sitting atop White Rock Cliffs at mile marker 294.4 gazing out at the lands of Davy Crockett. The day has been beautiful and I am enjoying it because it is supposed to rain in 2 days. I expect to be in Virginia in 2 days. Check out my photo gallery.
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Disoriented
Posted on April 30, 2008 by Brad Cook
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I’m losing track of time and what day it is. I had a great trip and window of clear weather crossing Smokey Mt. National Park. The skies were blue and sunny and found myself getting low on food while traversing the mountainous terrain. I therefore decided to make good time over the 70 miles before I was out of my power bars, peanut butter, raisins, prunes, etc. I went across this most visited park in America in just 4 days time. I took many outstanding pictures and had a 22 mile day starting one morning just 3 miles from Clingman’s Dome {the highest peak of the entire AT}. About a dozen of the hardiest crew arose at 4:45 AM that morning and took the rugged and steep ascent with our headlamps pointing our way to the most beautiful sunrise I have ever witnessed.
I meandered on my way from Clingman’s the rest of the day and met up with “Chipmunk”, a thru-hiker from Florida. He was moving at a slower pace and decided after talking with him a bit to back off as I had already 14 miles under my belt. We hiked together for the next 8 miles taking in God’s wonderous creations.
Chipmunk and THE BUZZARD strolling along the AT together. It turns out Chipmunk was a monk at some facility along the Hudson River for 7 years. I found him to be one of the most interesting personalities I have met thus far on my journey north. He graduated from high school in 1978, which puts him at about 48 years old. He has suffered the demons of drug addiction, worked in the mental health field and is currently in the landscaping business in Florida. He was most discouraged while working in the mental health field explaining the industry seemed more interested in making money versus helping people. Chipmunk never seems to come off the trail for anything else but supplies and cannot understand why people who hike this trail go into towns for a shower or a restaurant meal. I found him to be a most giving and compassionate individual.
We were warned entering the Smokey Mts. about bears, rattlesnakes, wild boar, etc. Unfortunately I saw none, but Freeloader Freddy lost all his food and cooking supplies when the bear climbed the tree he strung up his food bag in. Poor Freddy.
After the Smokeys I had to hike thru thunderstorm and hard cold rain for the next 2 days, but my trusty umbrella that everyone made fun of worked like a charm. I finally found a way to attach the shaft of the umbrella to my pack allowing both of my hands free to continue to use my trekking poles. This worked so well in driving rain I could hike without wearing my raingear and my feet remained dry, which is also helped by wearing my stormsocks and gaitors. No one is laughing at the BUZZARD’S umbrella anymore. In fact, the BUZZARD may have started a new trend of hiking in storms as all these young whippersnappers are running to the outfitter here in Hot Springs,NC trying to pick up one. I covered 33 miles in just 2 days hardly getting a drop of rain on my wings as all these young punks were getting pelted with rain!!
I am taking a zero day today for needed rest and correspondence. I did not even have an e-mail address 4 weeks ago and this takes me much time to do this sort of thing. Thanks to my daughter, Samantha, my wonderful wife, Karen, and my son, Tom I am able with their help to give you all updates on my adventure north.
I realize that one false step and this journey is over. Every move is calculated with great caution and concern and I continue to pray for my safety. God willing and I will make it to the big MT.K in Maine. Please pray for my safety.
Umbrellas are good
Posted on April 29, 2008 by Brad Cook
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After hiking 33 miles in the last 2 days through scattered thunder and lightning storms, I am now in Hot Springs, NC. I will be spending the night at the Duckett House Inn. Things have been great and hikers have now become envious of my umbrella, rather than making fun about it.
Washing my clothes!
Posted on April 28, 2008 by Evan Brunell
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Great Smokey!
Posted on April 25, 2008 by Brad Cook
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I reached Great Smokey National Park yesterday on April 22. Hiked from Fontana Dam to Spence Field Shelter (18 miles). I am now at an elevation of 4,915 ft. and the weather has been beautiful and rewarded me with a little extra by being able to see a couple deer. Park Rangers have now warned me to watch out for Black Bear, Black Widows, Wild Boar, and Rattlesnakes because they are all native to the territory I am in now.
Photos Galore
Posted on April 24, 2008 by Brad Cook
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Here are some photos from my trip from April 18 to 22…
Hello, North Carolina
Posted on April 18, 2008 by Brad Cook
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I left the Cloud 9 Hostel the morning of Tues. April 15 and had my new pack. It was an even exchange as REI stands by their goods. I still have the same pack just a smaller hip belt size whic h is sewn right into the pack itself. Off I went and with a days rest covered the 16.5 miles to Standing Indian Lean-to. There were warning posters about aggressive Black Bears, who seem to have no fear of humans and stolen a few hikers packs in the past. Each night I would use nylon twine to hang my food bag in the woods a distance from the lean-to. You tie a stick to one end and fling it over a thin branch away from the trunk of the tree out of reach of the hungry thief!! So far it has worked well for me.
It was in the 20s the morning of Wed. April 16 and I hustled out of camp to get the blood flowing in my arteries. After a couple of hours hiking I was warmed up and stopped for a quick breakfast and morning stretch. I am having 2 major physical problems, which relate to old abuses to THE MACHINE. One is my achilles of my left ankle, but so far if I stop and stretch every 2 hours I can keep the Old Buzzard hiking down the trail North. The other is more concerning and painful- I had a serious bike accident June 23, 1992 riding my triathlon bike from Kingston to Brockton (it was the last day of school). I hit a dog that ran out in front of my bike going down a hill at about 35mph. I broke my left collarbone, ribs, tore my left rotator cuff and did damage to C-5 and the brachial plexes nerve. That C-5 area and the back of my left shoulder area carrying a pack all day is most painful!! Part of day I carry my pack only on my right shoulder. Hikers call ibuprofen VITAMIN I and at times it helps me out.
Wed. night “Freddy the Freeloader” (age 29 masters in accounting from Conn), “Yak” real name Jake (age 27-Naval Academy Grad. and done with his 5 year commitment as a Naval Officer from NY), “Bo-Jangals”(age 51 an owner of several businesses around the country from Steamboat Springs, CO) and THE OLD BUZZARD slept at the lean-to Big Springs after a 14.4 mile day. The last mile was a killer as we had to summit Mt. Albert. I was trying to stay with our lead man “Freddy the Freeloader”, but the Old Buzzard isn’t what he use to be. “Bo-Jangals” and “Yak” both came limping in behind us chewing on Vitamin I tablets all day. These 2 tough nuts are both nursing the dreaded KNEE PAIN. “Bo-Jangals” has skied to many mogul runs in Colorado, but I’m betting on him to make it. I told him if he makes it to Grafton Notch , ME with me, my wife, who cooks the best Italian dinner on earth, will pick us up, drive us back to our ME house and HEAVEN awaits. He speaks fluent Italian and loves food with the touch of Genoa.
“Freddie the Freeloader” and I left Big Springs about 8AM and hiked 9.1 miles in less than 3.5 hours. I had a box of supplies sent from home waiting for me at the Budget Inn, Franklin, NC. I phoned one the real Classic Legends of the AT–RON HAVEN, who picked us up when we came out of the woods. A needed shower, real restaurant food, and re-supply.
Ron Haven, a real down to earth sort, who has 2 cheap hotels for “thru-hikers” in town. Ron also has a small school bus and gives you a tour of Franklin to boot. I asked him about his life–he grew up in Franklin-graduated from HS @ 16 as he went to summer school-played some football IN college in GA–lied about his age and @ 17 was in the pro-wrestling circuit making $1500. a week (big $ for a 17 year farm boy from NC)-Ron started investing his $ and now it seems he owns half the town–He has a big heart and helps hikers with “Trail Magic”.
Freddy and I will spend the night for just $20. each and Ron will bring us back to the 107 mile mark tomorrow AM for another 16 mile day. Next shower is just 30 mile down the trail for $2.50 at the NOC where the BIG HIKE and the adventure of a lifetime will continue. We need to catch up with “Bo-Jangles and “Yak”, who both decided to push on as there next resupply is at the NOC.
Hostel Cloud 9
Posted on April 17, 2008 by Brad Cook
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At hostel Cloud 9 for a zero day due to a new pack . All I had to do was grab a shuttle to MountainCroosings Outfitters a 38 mile drive thru spitting snow and temps. in the 30’s all day at the lower elevations. Hikers came in to Cloud 9 later in the day were telling us that Blood Mt. at the 4400+ elevation got blanketed with 2″ of snow. I called Karen, my beautiful wife, today and found out it was in the 50’s in Boston. What’s going on ? As a New England boy I always thought GA was hot, but not so in northern GA in the mts.
One great aspect of THE BIG HIKE is the assortment of personalities I will discover on my journey north. I already mentioned Grizzley Bear an ‘06 thru hiker from SC. He has become my favorite as he is so easygoing and laidback. A real nice southern boy, who told me today that this A.T. is a definite need for a type A uptight northern OLD BUZZARD like me. Once I reach MT.K in ME Grizz thinks I’ll be mellowed out and ready for retirement.
Another one of our pack is Eric , who has picked his trail name as “FRED”. Only the trees and wind in the forests know why, but I think FRED is a fitting name for this guy. He is 28 and is leaving a great position in the business world to try THE BIG HIKE before he settles into the business rat race. He has his Masters in Accounting and a serious girl in his life that he talks about marrying soon. FRED has been suffering with boots and blisters and he now refers to me, OLD BUZZARD, as coach. I have given him all my knowledge on blisters and he has finally been convinced that this OLD BUZZARD has his doctoral degree in BLISTERS as the BUZZARD has NONE! It seems the big conversation between these thru hikers is blisters. I use to deal with these painful little buggers 3 decades ago, but thru trial and error know how to prevent them. FRED now does everything I tell him including sending back his big boots and hiking with the same trail sneakers as the BUZZARD. I miss my Brockton TRACK BOYS, but it seems I coaching still on the trail. FRED is a wonderful young man and I want to see him make it with me to Mt.K.
Van, a 24year old from PA, just left the US NAVY and has as of yesterday been named “SLIP and SLIDE” for obvious reasons. A typical sailor with stories of all the ports he visited around the world and all of them had saloons. His body is covered with the body art of an old salt including one on his chest displaying his LOVE for Mom and Dad. SLIP and SLIDE is very giving, polite, respectful of others feeling and is out for the adventure of THE BIG HIKE.
I met Joe from Caribou,ME on the MARTA train ride in Atlanta,GA. This was the first person I met who was trying to get to the trailhead to start this adventure. Joe escaped from the potatoe fields of the northern most reachs of Maine. This far north in Maine is isolated and the winters are looong.Have you ever seen Jack Nicholson in the SHINING? Joe is 26 and according to him about half way thru college with a major in???? He is the true ADVENTURER! He has been all over this country and has witnessed great tragedies related to drug use by people he has known some in close relatonships. I have given him his trail name-”GUITAR JOE” as he carrying his guitar up and over the mts. When I met him at the MARTA subway in Atlanta he had an old exterior frame pack that weighed close to 80 lbs. I could not stop laughing when we got of the train and started emptying some of the contents of his huge pack in trash cans. He had numerous items that had nothing to do with THE BIG HIKE such as textbooks, gardening tools, magazines,etc. Joe is fun loving, intelligent,certainly knows himself and content,giving,polite and full of life and exploration. He fell behind and I thought I would never see him again’ but today in the cold and snow he showed at Cloud 9 while my crue took a day off. I was so happy to see GUITAR back. He had us all autograph his pink guitar and played us tunes.
Tomorrow OLD BUZZARD and his boys head out and just 3 miles up the trail is BUZZARD KNOB. THE OLD BUZZARD will spread his rested old wings and fly down the trail north into NC. It is time to go to my nest for the night and deal with tomorrow tomorrow. Keep your mind and efforts in the present and the future will take care of it self just fine.
View pictures from my travels! Meet Joe and more!
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