Franklin NC PD puts trail on hold

Just a delay, an indefinite delay.  Just a snag.... a snag that should have been resolved by the Franklin NC police department.  In a world where a child got suspended from kindergarten for 12 days for making threatening speaches about shooting another student with a bubble gun (which she didn't even have at the time).  The Franklin PD let Brady (Mantis) Tinker an ex-con pothead "former" Meth dealer go after threatening David (with his own Machette held to his neck) and demanding he give over his remaining food and down jacket.  David reported this to Franklin PD, and after interviewing Mantis and Earlybird it was admitted the event did happen;  but, it was just a joke.  Really?  I should ask the Franklin Sheriff would he have let Mantis go had it been someone in his family?  Besides, joke or not the perception of assualt is hinged on the mindset of the victum, not the bystander.  What if David had been carrying a "45" and shot Tinker?  Not, that it would have been a loss, in court it would have been considered Self-defense. 

If you see this man on the trail watch out!

Arrival Franklin NC

Today David reached US 64 (the old Murphy Road) and set out off trail 11.5 miles to the Township of Franklin NC.  To resupply, pick-up those gloves (he didn't need), the thermal underwear (he didn't need), and the heavy socks (he didn't need), plus all the food we sent him and a new flashlight.  David is no stranger to Franklin as many times as we have vacationed there over the years.  Franklin is nestled in the Nanatala National Forest and is the largest township west of Asheville.  Any direction you leave Franklin is going up, since it is literally in a depression in the surrounding mountains.  Franklin is the home of the Highlands Museum (as it it is not far from Grandfather Mountain where the Highland games are played),  Cowee Valley was the home of Tiffany's Ruby Mines (where you can still sift thru the gravel from an ancient riverbed and look for Rubies, Sapphires, and Topaz),  a number of rock shops there and as Michelle can tell you Franklin is the Quilt Capital of America (IAW local quilt merchants and the Governor of NC).  A long hot soak in a bathtub and a night in a warm bed is on tonight's agenda.

North Carolina Tennessee Mile Posts

 

North Carolina & Tennessee Distances from Springer Trail Feature Elevation Amenities
76.5 Bly Gap 3840’ C,W
76.8 Sharp Top 4340’ None
78.4 Sassafras Gap 4300’ None
79.3 Muskrat Creek Shelter (pic) 4600’ S,W
80.1 Whiteoak Stamp 4620’ None
80.3 Chunky Gal Trail 4700’ None
81.2 Wateroak Gap 4490’ None
83.3 Deep Gap, USFS 71, Kimsey Creek Trail 4341’ W
84.2 Standing Indian Shelter (pic) 4760’ S,W
85.7 Standing Indian Mt. 5498’ W 88.6 Beech Gap 4460’ C,W
91.4 Timber Ridge Trail 4700’ None
91.8 Carter Gap Shelter (pic) 4540’ S,W
95.5 Betty Creek Gap 4300’ C,W
96.4 Mooney Gap, USFS 83 4400’ None
96.6 spring 4500’ W 97.7 Bearpen Trail, USFS 67 4790’ None
98.0 Albert Mt. 5250’ None
98.6 Big Spring Shelter (pic) 4940’ S,W
101.4 Glassmine Gap 4160’ None
103.9 Rock Gap Shelter (pic) 3760’ S,W
104.0 Rock Gap, Standing Indian Campground 3750’ C,Sh,G
104.6 Wallace Gap, Old US 64 3738’ None
107.7 Winding Stair Gap, US 64 3770’ W
108.6 campsite 3970’ C,W
108.8 Swinging Lick Gap 4100’ None
109.7 Panther Gap 4480’ None
111.4 Siler Bald Shelter (pic) 4600’ S,W
113.6 Wayah Gap, SR 1310 4180’ None
115.4 USFS 69 4900’ W
115.9 Wine Spring Bald side trail 5290’ C,W
117.8 Wayah Bald 5342’ None
118.2 campsite 5200’ C,W
118.7 Wayah Shelter (pic) 4759’ S,W 120.0 Licklog Gap 4440’ W
122.3 Burningtown Gap, SR 1397 4236’ None
123.5 Cold Spring Shelter (pic) 4920’ S,C,W
124.2 Copper Ridge Bald Lookout 5080’ None
125.4 Rocky Bald Lookout side trail 5030’ None
125.7 spring 4900’ W
127.1 Tellico Gap, SR 1365 3850’ None
128.5 Wesser Bald Tower 4627’ None
129.2 spring 4100’ W
129.3 Wesser Bald Shelter (pic) 4115’ S,C,W
130.9 Jump-up Lookout 4000’ None
134.2 A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (pic) 2300’ S,W
135.0 Nantahala Outdoor Center 1723’ L,R,G,O,Sh,Cl,C*
136.6 Wright Gap 2390’ None
138.1 Grassy Gap 3050’ None
141.0 Swim Bald 4710’ None
141.9 Sassafras Gap Shelter (pic) 4330’ S,W
143.1 Cheoah Bald 5062’ None
145.5 Locust Grove Gap 3690’ C,W
146.5 Simp Gap 3700’ None
148.6 Stecoah Gap, NC 143 3165’ W
149.6 Sweetwater Gap 3270’ None
151.0 Brown Fork Gap Shelter (pic) 3800’ S,W
151.2 Brown Fork Gap 3600’ None
153.0 Hogback Gap 3540’ None
153.8 Cody Gap 3600’ C,W
156.2 Yellow Creek Gap, SR 1242 2980’ None
157.1 Cable Gap Shelter (pic) 2880’ S,W
158.5 Black Gum Gap 3490’ None
159.9 Walker Gap 3450’ None
160.1 campsite 3200’ C,W
162.6 NC 28, Fontana Dam 1810’ L*,R*,G*,O*,Cl*
163.7 Fontana Dam Shelter (pic) 1775’ S,W
164.0 Fontana Dam Visitors Center 1700’ W,Sh
164.4 Fontana Dam, GSMNP west boundary 1740’ None
168.4 Shuckstack 3800’ None
169.6 Birch Spring Gap 3680’ C,W
171.9 Doe Knob 4520’ None
173.3 Ekaneetlee Gap 3842’ W
175.0 Mollies Ridge Shelter (pic) 4570’ S,W
175.1 Devils Tater Patch 4775’ None
176.7 Little Abrams Gap 4120’ None
177.5 Russell Field Shelter (pic) 4360’ S,W
180.4 Spence Field Shelter (pic) 4915’ S,W
181.6 Rocky Top 5440’ None
182.2 Thunderhead Mt. 5527’ None
182.5 Beechnut Gap 4920’ W
183.2 Mineral Gap 5030’ None
185.6 Sugar Tree Gap 4435’ None
186.7 Derrick Knob Shelter (pic) 4880’ S,W
186.9 Sams Gap 4995’ W
189.5 Buckeye Gap 4817’ W
192.2 Silers Bald Shelter (pic) 5460’ S,W
192.4 Silers Bald 5607’ None
193.9 Double Spring Gap Shelter (pic) 5505’ S,W
196.4 Clingmans Dome 6643’ W
198.0 Mt. Love 6446’ None
200.2 Mt. Collins & Shelter (pic) 5870’ S,W
203.0 Indian Gap 5286’ None
204.7 Newfound Gap, US 441 5045’ W
207.4 Boulevard Trail 5695’ None
207.7 Icewater Spring Shelter (pic) 5920’ S,W
208.5 Charlies Bunion 5905’ None
210.5 Porters Gap, The Sawteeth 5577’ None
213.8 Bradley’s View 5200’ None
215.1 Peck’s Corner Shelter (pic) 5280’ S,W
217.8 Mt. Sequoyah 6069’ None
219.3 Mt. Chapman 6417’ None
220.3 Tri-Corner Knob Shelter (pic) 5920’ S,W
221.5 Guyot Spur 6360’ None
222.1 Guyot Spring 6150’ W
222.2 Mt. Guyot side trail 6395’ None
224.1 Snake Den Ridge Trail 5600’ None
227.5 Cosby Knob 5150’ None
228.0 Cosby Knob Shelter (pic) 4700’ S,W
230.8 Mt. Cammerer side trail 5000’ None
231.3 spring 4300’ W
232.9 spring 3700’ W
235.1 Davenport Gap Shelter (pic) 2600’ S,W
236.0 Davenport Gap, GSMNP east boundary 1975’ None
237.3 State Line Branch 1600’ C,W
237.5 Pigeon River 1400’ None
237.9 I-40 1500’ None
238.4 Green Corner Rd. 1800’ L,G,Cl,Sh
240.7 Painter Branch 3100’ C,W
241.6 Spanish Oak Gap 3730’ None
243.1 Snowbird Mt. 4263’ None
243.6 campsite 4100’ C,W
245.6 Groundhog Creek Shelter (pic) 2850’ S,W
248.5 Brown Gap 3500’ C,W
251.2 Max Patch Rd, NC 1182 4380’ None
252.0 Max Patch Mt. 4629’ None
253.8 Roaring Fork Shelter (pic) 3950’ S,W
257.4 Lemon Gap, NC 1182/TN 107 3550’ None
258.7 Walnut Mt. Shelter (pic) 4260’ S,W
261.1 Bluff Mt. 4686’ None
262.7 Big Rock Spring 3730’ W
265.2 Garenflo Gap 2500’ None
268.6 Deer Park Mt. Shelter (pic) 2330’ S,W
271.8 Hot Springs, US 25/70 1326’ L,C,R,G,O,Cl,Sh

Georgia North Carolina Border

January 28th at or about 11AM David crossed over the Georgia North Carolina Border into the Nantahala National Forest.  That puts him atop Standing Indian Mountain.

Photo... obviously taken in the spring or summer...

1 State Down 13 to go....

75 Miles Down 2125 to go....

Weather Forecast Appalachian Trail

Rest Of Tonight...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light rain and light freezing rain. Windy. Lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Thursday...Mostly sunny. Windy. Highs in the lower 40s. North winds 10 to 20 mph.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of freezing rain after midnight. Lows in the mid 20s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Friday...Freezing rain in the morning...Then rain likely and freezing rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

Sunday...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. Highs in the mid 50s.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. Lows in the upper 30s.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs around 60.

Tuesday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Lows in the lower 40s.

Day 10 Target - Tray Mountain Shelter

David will be back on the trail after another zero day this time his target destination will be Tray Mountain Shelter (see above from warmer times). This will put him 56 miles into the trail.  That will put him 19.4 miles away from the North Carolina Border.  Today we sent him two packages holding food in the form of Instant Rice, Honey Buns, Cinnamon Rolls, Spam, Oatmeal, and Tunafish.  Also warm socks that will take up too much room in his pack, Gloves that will take up too much room in his pack, Longjohns that will take up too much room in his pack, and Ibuprofin.  These packages will meet him in Franklin NC they were send via General Delivery to the Franklin post office, with "Hold for Hiker" on the boxes.  He is estimating a week and a half from today.  He also let us know his trail companions have changed his trail name to "Gerber" which is the brand of Machette he carries.

Pictures from Blood Mountain

Pictures from Ow Shelter Day 3

Pictures From Justus Mountain ~ Day Two

Day 7 Target - Low Gap Shelter

Got a text from David; after their "Zero Day" they are leaving Neels Gap and plan on making their way to Low Gap Shelter at an elevation 2990 ft which will put them 41.1 miles into the trail which will put him 2138.9 miles away from Mount Katahdin..  Hike on hike on Gifted King

First Contact

Sunday January 20, 2013, at about 10:15 David Called.  He was climbing Blood Mountain about 1 mile outside of Neel’s Gap and was expecting to be there soon.  Tuesday, he got rained out, everything soaked through and through.  Spent the night trying to dry out, but, a wet sleeping bag wasn’t much of a comfort out on the trail…  He was able to start a fire and as he stated he fended off hypothermia, but, not by much.  Wednesday found the rain becoming snow.  He was back on the trail by Thursday He met up with a guy named Cory and they were planning on spending a “Zero Day” off of the trail.  A night in a dry hotel and a hot pizza; is on the schedule today. 

His first pleas included send the woolen socks he said he didn’t need (it was too much weight for his pack).  Send the Gloves, he said he didn’t need (it was too much weight for his pack).  Send the extra thermal underwear he said he didn’t need (it was too much weight for his pack).  Also, as any parent will recognize, please send some money….. Said he didn’t need any food yet, but we are thinking about sending him a snack he can wolf down and not carry in his pack.

He was so upbeat, stating he both hated it and loved it at the same time.  This was the old David we remember from his youth, full of excitement and optimism, tempered with enough misery to keep him grounded.  His Mother and I are so excited and so envious of him, not to mention how proud we are of his tenacity and courage.

Georgia Leg of the Appalachian Trail

Mile	Description
00.0	Springer Mountain (3782 ft) is Southern terminus of the AT Bronze plaque on rock, sign and register nearby. Good views to west. Mount Katahdin in Maine is 2,175 miles north via the white-blazed trail.
00.2	Springer Mountain Shelter (3700 ft) to right on side trail with privy and reliable spring. Established tent sites nearby.
00.9	USFS Road #42 (parking).
02.5	Stover Creek Shelter (2920 ft) with all-season stream nearby. Located left of AT down old logging road.
04.1	Three Forks (2520 ft), where three streams converge to form Noontootla Creek, USFS Road #58. Campsites available north of AT along Long Creek.
04.9	Blue blazed trail to Long Creek Falls.
07.6	Hawk Mountain Shelter (3130 ft) with privy and water down path behind shelter.
08.1	Hightower Gap (2854 ft), junction with gravel USFS Roads #42 & #69.
14.9	Gooch Mountain Shelter (2775 ft) and privy to left on short side trail. New in 2001. Excellent spring, tent sites.
16.3	Gooch Gap (2784 ft), USFS Road #42 leads 2.7 miles to Suches, Georgia.
19.9	Woody Gap (3150 ft), paved GA Hwy. 60 with good parking. Suches, Georgia is 1.9 miles to left.
20.9	Big Cedar Mountain (3737 ft), with good views from rock ledges.
23.7	Henry Gap (3100 ft) is 200 ft left on side trail. Unpaved road leads to GA Hwy. 180.
25.5	Jarrard Gap (3250 ft), blue-blazed trail to left leads one mile to Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (USFS) and GA Hwy 180.
26.8	Woods Hole Shelter (3460 ft), privy 0.4 miles west on side trail. Water at mid-point on trail.
26.9	Bird Gap (3,650 ft). Freeman Trail bypasses Blood Mountain summit and leads 1.8 miles to Flatrock Gap.
27.2	Slaughter Creek Trail, blue-blazed to left leads 2.7 miles to Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (USFS). Stream at right turn is the last water before Neels Gap and is the water source for campsites ahead.
27.3	Slaughter Creek Campsite, eight tent pads built on sidehill.
28.1	Blood Mountain (4461 ft, highest point on the AT in Georgia). Blood Mountain Shelter with privy located on summit. Closest water is creek at AT and Slaughter Creek trail junction. Panoramic views in all directions.
29.5	Flatrock Gap (3440 ft), Trail to Byron Reece Memorial, west .6 mi. Parking; Freeman Trail bypasses Blood Mountain summit and leads 1.8 miles to Bird Gap.
30.5	Neels Gap (3125 ft), paved US 19/129 with parking at Byron Reese Memorial north on highway. Walasi-Yi Center has hiker supplies, equipment and hostel available on first come, first serve basis.
33.9	Wolf Laurel Top (3766 ft) with campsite and views to right in clearing.
36.0	Tesnatee Gap (3138 ft), paved GA Hwy. 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) with parking.
36.7	Whitley Gap Shelter (3360 ft), privy is right 1.2 miles on side trail with magnificent views in season, dependable spring.
36.9	Hogpen Gap (3450 ft) on GA Hwy. 348 with parking.
41.1	Low Gap Shelter (2990 ft), privy is right via side trail into cove with spring and stream nearby.
46.1	Chattahoochee Gap (3500 ft), spring on right via side trail is headwaters of Chattahoochee River.
47.8	Site of former Rocky Knob shelter. Area still usable as campsite. Spring downhill below old shelter site.
48.3	Blue Mountain Shelter (3780 ft), privy via side trail to left. Spring on AT just before turnoff to shelter.
50.5	Unicoi Gap (2949 ft), paved GA Hwy 75 with parking.
54.9	Tray Gap (3847 ft), junction with Tray Mountain Road (USFS Road #79).
55.7	Tray Mountain (4430 ft) with outstanding views from summit. Descending to north, trail is rough, rocky and steep.
56.0	Tray Mountain Shelter (4070 ft), privy is left via side trail, good spring downhill behind shelter.
61.3	Addis Gap (3304 ft) campsite with stream to right 0.5 mile down old fire road.
62.4	Kelly Knob (4276 ft), summit is 0.2 mile to left.
63.1	Deep Gap Shelter (3550 ft), privy is 0.3 mile to right. Water in piped spring just before shelter.
66.6	Dicks Creek Gap (2675 ft), paved US 76 with picnic tables and seasonal stream.
70.9	Plumorchard Gap Shelter (3000 ft), privy is located to right of gap, down side trail. Spring near shelter.
75.4	Bly Gap (3840 ft), on Georgia/North Carolina state line, is marked by gnarled oak tree and fine views to north. Good campsite and water to right below clearing.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Weather

1/17/13 Tonight...Snow early...Then mostly cloudy with a chance of snow late in the evening. Partly cloudy after midnight. Snow accumulation of 2 to 3 inches. Total snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Lows in the upper 20s. North winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.


1/18/13 Friday...Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. Light and variable winds shifting to the northeast after midnight.

1/19/13 Saturday...Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds up to 10 mph.

1/20/13 Sunday...Sunny. Highs around 50.

Sunday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.

1/21/13 Martin Luther King Jr Day...Sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

Monday Night...Mostly clear. Lows around 20.

1/22/13 Tuesday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

Tuesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

1/23/13 Wednesday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows around 30.

The Trailhead: Day 1

       His journey began at 11:00 PM EST at home in Jacksonville Florida. I drove him up I-95 to I-16 to Swainsboro Georgia, where after a quick pit stop, he took over the driving until we reach I-75 and just below Atlanta.  From there I drove again circling around the East Loop until we got to State Road 400, then up numerous state and county roads until we reached the base of Springer Mountain in the National Park system then it was all NPS service roads the fog was thick and the dirt and gravel road was full of switchbacks and with solid walls to one side and cliffs to the other dropping off into the foggy voids of undetermined depths. Progress was slow no better than 5 MPH with David navigating with the GPS function of my phone and unable to see beyond 25 feet.

      Soon the darkness was replaced with grayness and yet still no better visibility.  As we crested one rise we gave up the solid walls on one side to cliffs on both, we were running along the ridge or backbone of the mountain.  A misty rain started to fall as we approached the parking lot for the trail. We parked and David gathered his gear slipped on his 45 pound pack wolfed down his high calorie breackfast of Honey Buns and Cinnamon Rolls.  We hugged and I told him how proud his Mother and I were of him, that we only wished we were going with him.  He told me he loved us and was so thankful of how supportive we had been on this quest of his. He then walked down the trail to the trailhead he would walk 0.9 miles just to turn around and come back through the same parking lot we just stood in.  But, he had to so he could say he had hiked the entire 2180 miles.  I stayed just long enough to see him disappear into the mist and rain.  Then I returned home the same way I came (well sort of), I got home around 6PM wondering how far he had reached that first day.