Eleven miles down from dicks gap. About 15 minutes spent crammed in the cab of an 80's pickup driven by a man who must be named Rufus. A skeleton hung from the rearview mirror and an alligator peered from beneath a bandanna on the dash as the title of a song, "Bone thugs in harmony" scrolled Across the screen. We were rolling into Hiawassee in style. After forking out some cash for the ride that will become free tomorrow(seasonal rates) we walked casually down Main Street with our packs on our backs, one symbol dominating the horizon and our mind... The famed Golden Arches. After successfully eating all the fast food breakfast we could manage, Chase, Sam and I headed back towards Hiawassee's finest budget in. We ran into an older woman who inquired of our travels and quickly stated that she had hiked the trail back in 1990. I never would have expected this kind old soul to have tackled the trail in her older age, even if it was 23 years ago. She had a lot to say about it but the boldest statement struck me deep. "People ask if I enjoyed it and I smile and shake my head, no I didn't enjoy it. It was tough and it was a job, you get up and you walk and the next day you do it all over again."
Now step back five days and you would find us 70 miles south, 20 people unmet, and standing on springer. Optimism thickened the air that day more than the dense fog that obscured the scenery. Go back 4 days and I would be praising that woman's statement saying that it was a painful trip that was worth little more than bragging rights; a glorified folly only a hardened fool would make. Mountains on mountains of steep inclines and downward spirals, marked only by blisters and an inflamed ankle. Three days ago, add a hell of a storm to the list and you have the perfect postcard from the underworld. Two days ago the weather took a turn for the worst of the soggy and our spirits took a turn for the better. We ended up camping that night a shelter where we met three other guys who are my age and are Also thru hiking. Yesterday we hit a high, metaphorically and literally. Twenty one miles covered and three of the largest peaks around; we hiked and laughed and talked and I even sang a few Disney songs. A little trail magic at unicoi gap and a breathtaking view on tray mountain gave us a little extra boost. Last night we camped late and rose early this morning to grab a shuttle, six miles from where we camped. In an hour and a half we watched the sun rise, snow fall and we traversed 2000 feet in elevation change just to end up at our goal, a beat up pickup at a road crossing in the middle of nowhere.
The woman was right about it being work and she was right about it being hard but she ended her conversation with a smile and a promise, "it won't all be fun but there will be joyous moments full of beauty" and that is what keeps us going.
-chastan
Thursday, February 28, 2013
First Week
So as I sit here writing this I'm enjoying the warmth of what some might consider a pretty sketchy hotel room. However, The Hiawassee Budget Inn is everything we could ask for. We are staying the night here along with three other friends that we met on the trail. The past six days have been a roller coaster of events that have not only left us in awe of God's creation and love, but also had us dealing with slight problems and inconveniences along the way. I would definitely say that yesterday was our best day on the trail. We were able to go about 21 miles and the weather was amazing for hiking. We started the morning in the snow, but by lunch we were hiking without jackets. We saw some truly amazing views of Georgia. Some trials that we have had to face include feet problems, along with general aches and pains. So please keep that in mind as you pray for us. On Monday night we chose to stay at the shelter on the top of Blood mountain. This is the highest peak the AT crosses in GA. This shelter is also the oldest shelter on the AT. On that particular evening however there was a horrible storm that was beginning to set in. It rained all night and the wind blew something fierce. The next morning we woke up to the floor being soaked from the rain, and also our bear bag being attacked by a pesky mouse. Needless to say this was an irritating morning, not to mention that it continued to be rainy for the remainder of the day. We ended up sleeping in a shelter that night with two guys we met before who are our age, and also a new guy from Maine who is also our age. This ended up being a very nice end to that day. Well all I can say is that our home state of North Carolina is only 8 miles away once we get back on the trail and we can't wait to cross the state line. We thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers. They mean so much and they are felt for sure. Talk to you soon.
-Chase
(My apologies for any grammatical errors. I will blame them on the iPhone.)
-Chase
(My apologies for any grammatical errors. I will blame them on the iPhone.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
From Town to the Trailhead
Hey y'all,
Just wanted to tell you to pay attention to the font and signature because Chase and I will be co-writing this online masterpiece. Tonight brings us to less than three days from the trailhead. It has been a crazy few months getting to this point and honestly until last week it didn't seem real. This blog will be the second part of the Appalachian Connection, a series of ways that we will show the world our world, the peoples' path, the Appalachian Trail.
Today we wrapped up preparation by purchasing all the supplies and food we will need over the first week of the trail. It's quite a motley collection of urban delicacies ranging from cheez-its to cliff bars and peanuts to ramen noodles. Yummmmmy. As unhealthy as some of the items sitting on my counter right now seem, they are exactly what we need. As we start the hike our metabolism will boost and by the time we reach southern NC we will be burning 4200 calories a day. It will be impossible to carry enough food to meet this high requirement but our "Trail Junkie" diet should get us close. We will stop in towns along the way and refuel before heading back into the wild blue yonder.
It is my biggest prayer that we stay safe along the trail but I also pray that our eyes will be opened to a world that few get to see. I pray that we are changed and that this trip is gateway to a simpler life, one that will embody the trail no matter where we may end up. As much as we will gain over the next four months I will still miss my family and close friends an insane amount. I hope this blog lets you into our lives and allows you to hike the appalachian trail, if only for five minutes a week, through the words written here. Good luck to all of you, and may we see you soon, along the trail or at the end.
- Chastan
Just wanted to tell you to pay attention to the font and signature because Chase and I will be co-writing this online masterpiece. Tonight brings us to less than three days from the trailhead. It has been a crazy few months getting to this point and honestly until last week it didn't seem real. This blog will be the second part of the Appalachian Connection, a series of ways that we will show the world our world, the peoples' path, the Appalachian Trail.
Today we wrapped up preparation by purchasing all the supplies and food we will need over the first week of the trail. It's quite a motley collection of urban delicacies ranging from cheez-its to cliff bars and peanuts to ramen noodles. Yummmmmy. As unhealthy as some of the items sitting on my counter right now seem, they are exactly what we need. As we start the hike our metabolism will boost and by the time we reach southern NC we will be burning 4200 calories a day. It will be impossible to carry enough food to meet this high requirement but our "Trail Junkie" diet should get us close. We will stop in towns along the way and refuel before heading back into the wild blue yonder.
It is my biggest prayer that we stay safe along the trail but I also pray that our eyes will be opened to a world that few get to see. I pray that we are changed and that this trip is gateway to a simpler life, one that will embody the trail no matter where we may end up. As much as we will gain over the next four months I will still miss my family and close friends an insane amount. I hope this blog lets you into our lives and allows you to hike the appalachian trail, if only for five minutes a week, through the words written here. Good luck to all of you, and may we see you soon, along the trail or at the end.
- Chastan
Welcome to the Blog
Hey friends and family. As you know, Chastan and I will begin our thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail starting this coming Saturday. All the months of planning and anticipation have brought us so close to this awaited event. We are going to miss all of our friends and family members back home, so we created this blog as a way for everyone to stay connected with us while we hike. As many of you know, the AT passes through or around many towns as hikers travel north. In these towns we will be stopping to resupply food, do laundry, eat a hot meal, and when we can, update this blog to share our experiences with you. We hope that you will check the blog regularly and anticipate the latest story. It is your chance to embark on the 2,100 mile journey alongside people you love. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support! We will see you out there.
-Chase
-Chase
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