View Full Version : Davenport/standingbear to Sams Gap/Irwin
Thinking about doing 7 days of AT NOBO starting at Standing Bear or nearby and ending at Sams Gap or as close as I can get to Irwin, around 80 miles. I've done everything south of this and it's time to keep plugging north. Gotta catch up to Rentman!! Anyway, mileage puts it 10-15 miles per day between shelters, but I also tarp it if the need arises. I'm able to make more miles than that per day, but I'm in no rush. I was thinking about mid to late October - which I know can be chilly, but also means no bugs! Hoping to find somebody to meet at Irwin or Sams pick me up, leave their car at Standing Bear or Davenport and I'll drive us back after the hike. Other than that - I'm sociable but don't necessarily need to walk right next to somebody all day. Chaco and Rentman can vouch for my sanity (maybe I should name better references...) Anybody interested just reply or send me a message here. Thanks!
I'm looking at 5 days NOBO, somewhere in the 19-26 of October. I could probably move it a day or two if anybody's interested in joining. I'm going to leave my car at Sams Gap and probably shuttle back to Standing Bear Farms (unless someone wants to leave cars at either end). Its about 75 miles. I'm looking at shelters, which means one 20 mile on day four in order to make it 5 days.The other days are round about 11-14. I'll probably stay in Hot Springs on night three. First day is less than 10, but I've figured travel time and I've heard the climb out of Standing Bear is, well, a bear. I'm sure I can tweak the mileage here and there if anybody has any recommendations for this section. I'd like to have some company, the only solo I've done so far left me bored out of my skull when I got the shelter.
Looking forward to few bugs, fall weather, and meeting the SOBOs here and there. If you're interested lemme know.
Alternate plan is Davenport to Hot Springs in 3 days. Mileage is 7,13,and 13. I could move it to cover two days of either weekend in the 19-26 of October. Lemme know.
...and I'd like to do that piece of trail. It's too far out to commit and that 20 mile day has me a bit freaked out, but keep me in the loop.
Looks like I'm leaning more towards the three day trip starting at Standing Bear/Waterville school road, hiking 7 miles the first day, and doing 13 each for the next two days ending at the USFS lot just before Hot Springs. A good 3 day 30 mile section will tide me over till spring. ok, maybe not... i'll get stir crazy round december.
Tennessee Viking
08-19-2008, 01:34
Just keep an eye for signs of bears. Walnut Mtn and Roaring Creek have been getting visited quite often this year.
I'm going to go this weekend and finish the rest in October. This Saturday I'm going to go from Standing Bear to Groundhog. Sunday from Groundhog to Walnut Mtn or Roaring Fork (these are 1.5 miles away from each other on a 2005 map and I'm still wondering why...). Then on Monday i'll go on down to Hot Springs and call it a trip. Can't wait any more, gotta go hiking.
I live in Unicoi, 3 miles from iron mountain gap.
E-mail me if you need to leave a car in the area. You can leave it at my house.
Steve
(ImkerVS)