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moldy
02-01-2017, 09:29
For the last decade during the off season when I'm in Florida for the Winter I track those hardy souls who "start early". I track them on TrailJournals.com. I enjoy reading about the day to day adventures in the cold. Each year there are about a half dozen who start early and have a Trail Journal account. This year for some reason, nothing. I know that Thru hikers have started so this is about Trail Journals. I have noticed that for the past few years the numbers of hikers are reported to go up by at least 10% each year and the numbers using Trail Journals has gone down. My question is, where have "on Line" journals gone and how can I find them?

Patchy
02-01-2017, 10:59
"vlogs" or video logs on youtube No central repository like trailjournals.com Gotta do some searching, but it seems that this is the more popular way to journal a thru.

Engine
02-01-2017, 11:44
I've looked at TJ as well and you're right, there is a complete absence of hikers in January this year. I was hoping to get some idea of trail conditions post fire.

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Tipi Walter
02-01-2017, 11:51
You don't have to be an official "AT" backpacker to pull a January trip. Heck I just got back from a 17 day January trip on parts of the BMT and not far from the vaunted and holy Appalachian Trail (below link), so what's the difference, boys?? The mountains are the same, the creeks are the same, the humps with weight are the same etc.

A trail is a trail and cold is cold and hiking is hiking and gear is gear.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=21337

It's probably for the best that no one (that we know of) started the AT in January---unless you like reading about town bails and hot showers and zero motel days and AYCE restaurants, despite the fact that this January (except for a couple days) was one of the warmest on record---

buckeye49
02-01-2017, 12:05
I had planned to start Jan 1 but work obligations forced me to delay to this Sat Feb 4. Trail Journal name Bulldog.

1azarus
02-01-2017, 12:25
I had planned to start Jan 1 but work obligations forced me to delay to this Sat Feb 4. Trail Journal name Bulldog.

does that makes this a retirement adventure after the last few days of work?

JC13
02-01-2017, 12:35
Mountain Crossings has reported at least 6 NOBO's that I am aware of. But no journals to be found, same as Engine, looking for post-fire trail reports. Trip in July will either be Dicks - GSMNP South boundary, GSMNP South - Hot Springs or Hot Springs - Erwin.

egilbe
02-01-2017, 13:13
You don't have to be an official "AT" backpacker to pull a January trip. Heck I just got back from a 17 day January trip on parts of the BMT and not far from the vaunted and holy Appalachian Trail (below link), so what's the difference, boys?? The mountains are the same, the creeks are the same, the humps with weight are the same etc.

A trail is a trail and cold is cold and hiking is hiking and gear is gear.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=21337

It's probably for the best that no one (that we know of) started the AT in January---unless you like reading about town bails and hot showers and zero motel days and AYCE restaurants, despite the fact that this January (except for a couple days) was one of the warmest on record---

Back already? This trip seemed shorter to me.

Oventoasted
02-01-2017, 13:20
The "wild wild walkz" guy on yourube started 10 jan.

Engine
02-01-2017, 13:22
You don't have to be an official "AT" backpacker to pull a January trip. Heck I just got back from a 17 day January trip on parts of the BMT and not far from the vaunted and holy Appalachian Trail (below link), so what's the difference, boys?? The mountains are the same, the creeks are the same, the humps with weight are the same etc.

A trail is a trail and cold is cold and hiking is hiking and gear is gear.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=21337

It's probably for the best that no one (that we know of) started the AT in January---unless you like reading about town bails and hot showers and zero motel days and AYCE restaurants, despite the fact that this January (except for a couple days) was one of the warmest on record--- Tipi, some days your positive and uplifting nature is exactly what the doctor ordered...

Engine
02-01-2017, 13:24
I had planned to start Jan 1 but work obligations forced me to delay to this Sat Feb 4. Trail Journal name Bulldog. I saw that journal and planned on following until I leave on the 26th. I think you're the going to be the first thru-hiker journal on TJ this year.

JumpMaster Blaster
02-01-2017, 15:43
You don't have to be an official "AT" backpacker to pull a January trip. Heck I just got back from a 17 day January trip on parts of the BMT and not far from the vaunted and holy Appalachian Trail (below link), so what's the difference, boys?? The mountains are the same, the creeks are the same, the humps with weight are the same etc.

A trail is a trail and cold is cold and hiking is hiking and gear is gear.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=21337

It's probably for the best that no one (that we know of) started the AT in January---unless you like reading about town bails and hot showers and zero motel days and AYCE restaurants, despite the fact that this January (except for a couple days) was one of the warmest on record---

OP specified the AT, as in "Is anyone hiking the AT now?" so why debate who else was hiking off of the AT?

capehiker
02-01-2017, 15:59
The only one I've seen consistently post is a young man named Sam Rush. You can find him on Instagram and Facebook (currently unable to post links). His last pic was a great shot of him at Clingmans Dome.

Tipi Walter
02-01-2017, 16:28
OP specified the AT, as in "Is anyone hiking the AT now?" so why debate who else was hiking off of the AT?

Just wanted the OP to know that if he's interested in reading about winter backpackers in January on trails similar to the AT then there's stuff out there.

Is anyone hiking the AT now?? Maybe not, but go a few miles west and you'll find some action. If it has to be the AT only and only the AT, well, loosen up and get flexible and broaden your horizons to the same kind of trails but with different names.

The Cleaner
02-01-2017, 16:39
I just got back yesterday from hiking Allen Gap to Hot Springs.As soon as I got above 2500ft there was 4-6" of snow and 1'drifts a little higher.It took me 4 hours to do the 3.5 miles from AG to Spring Mtn. shelter.I stayed there in my tent as it was a bit windy at times and the high temp on Monday was only 32* One word of caution for anyone hiking that section.About 1/2 mile north of the shelter,the Carolina Mtn. Club has not refreshed the white blazes on the last climb or descent in this area.With snow covering the ground,finding your way,if not familiar, is hard in this area.I did post this to their Facebook page. I packed out about 3lbs of trash from the shelter and put in a few nails in the tarp on the front of the shelter. Tuesday as I was leaving Rich Mtn. fire tower I did meet one of the first of this year's NOBOs.He left Springer Mtn. on 1-8 and said that there were 5 or 6 close behind him. He was wearing trail runners and he asked how my Vasque Snoburbans did in snow & cold. I said it was much better than wet trail runners as he may find more snow as he moves NOBO.Here's a few pics. of my trip.38092380933809438095380963809738098

QuietStorm
02-01-2017, 17:22
I assume from the replies you mean thru hikers but yes, Ive been hiking the AT every weekend but one or two since last summer.


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buckeye49
02-01-2017, 17:58
does that makes this a retirement adventure after the last few days of work?

Yep, last day of work was Jan 21. My replacement wasn't working out so I agreed to stay on.

Tipi Walter
02-01-2017, 18:01
Great pics The Cleaner. Always good to see hikers trudging thru snow and taking 4 hours to go 3.5 miles. And always wonderful to see hikers using their tents instead of the rat-box shelters.

The Cleaner
02-01-2017, 18:30
Great pics The Cleaner. Always good to see hikers trudging thru snow and taking 4 hours to go 3.5 miles. And always wonderful to see hikers using their tents instead of the rat-box shelters. Thanks Tipi. I usually clean them but don't use them.I'd heard from many hikers that the mice are very active here.With all the garbage left behind it's a no brainer where they come from.That thru hike I met had a pack about the size of my day pack.It looked like he had no tent and was using shelters.When a mouse chews a hole in his sleeping bag he may get his own shelter.

Mags
02-01-2017, 19:23
I have noticed that for the past few years the numbers of hikers are reported to go up by at least 10% each year and the numbers using Trail Journals has gone down. My question is, where have "on Line" journals gone and how can I find them?

Vlogs on Youtube as mentioned
#AppalachianTrail on Instagram
Facebook pages
Personal websites or piggybacking on Wordpress.com, Blogger.com or similar.
Postholer to a lesser extent

JC13
02-01-2017, 19:26
Pretty sure that was Sam. He was in Hot Springs as of yesterday from his FB post.

egilbe
02-01-2017, 19:41
Think it may be getting close to the time that I want to hike up to Speck Pond shelter. No fees this time of year.

ZombieDust66
02-01-2017, 21:38
YouTuber Reddmage left today.

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Emerson Bigills
02-01-2017, 21:47
Thanks for what you do, Cleaner.

MRupert420
02-02-2017, 01:02
If you click on today's date next to "Updated Today' on any of the journals on TJ, you can then see all posts made that day. Sometimes hiker's journals have the wrong settings on them and therefore aren't seen when you goto 2017 Appalachian Trail. Not sure of trail name but have found this one that just started http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=554027

and Billy Goat, who started December 31 and already had frost bite take him out for a bit. http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=553986

eggymane
02-02-2017, 06:57
Tuesday as I was leaving Rich Mtn. fire tower I did meet one of the first of this year's NOBOs.He left Springer Mtn. on 1-8 and said that there were 5 or 6 close behind him.

Do you happen to remember his name?

The Cleaner
02-02-2017, 07:17
Do you happen to remember his name? I asked for his trail name and he said he hasn't got one yet.So I assume he's doing 20+ mile days trying to get ahead of bad weather.Sooner or later he will see a big snow.The local weather guy here said that mild winter conditions will continue for another week or so then we will get hammered for a few weeks.:eek: March can dump some big snows here in upper east TN.Back in 1987 it snowed 17" around 4-15. I was up at Jerry's Cabin shelter and had to posthole 6 miles to my truck.Got all the way to town here then got stuck in my driveway.

The Cleaner
02-02-2017, 07:19
Just hit post 1500.:banana

JC13
02-02-2017, 10:02
Do you happen to remember his name?Pretty sure it was Sam Rush, he is posting on FaceBook and Instagram.

hyperslug
02-02-2017, 10:37
Thanks for posting the journal links MRupert420 (https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php/59960-MRupert420)!

JC13
02-02-2017, 10:40
Thanks for posting the journal links MRupert420 (https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php/59960-MRupert420)!Yes! Thanks very much, its strange they aren't showing up in the Appalachian Trail hikers section for some reason. I did notice from the Billy Goat journal that there are/were 4 NOBOs in Hot Springs as of 1/31.

hikeandbike5
02-03-2017, 07:19
no one hikes the AT anymore. it's too crowded.

JC13
02-03-2017, 09:15
Found another one on Trail Journals, Iceman. He, his girlfriend and their pup went through Neels Gap yesterday.

ScareBear
02-03-2017, 09:37
no one hikes the AT anymore. it's too crowded.

Yogi Berra, RIP.

ScareBear
02-03-2017, 09:50
I wish BillyGoat would have posted his gear list. It seems everything has failed him, rain jacket, pants, mitts, boots and he wound up with frostbite and ambulance ride. He was so desperate to get warm, he donned frozen rain pants and CROCS and made a run for Top of Georgia hostel in the snow...miles...

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=553721

johnacraft
02-03-2017, 09:57
There are at least a half dozen early January starters already past Hot Springs: https://gretagolightly.wordpress.com/

The Mountain Crossing IG account (https://www.instagram.com/mountaincrossings/) is a good place to keep track.

ldsailor
02-03-2017, 18:19
Last year I posted daily updates of my 530 mile AT section hike on Facebook. I just wonder if more hikers are posting to the wider access media sites where friends and family are more likely to see the posts.

Tipi Walter
02-04-2017, 10:02
I wish BillyGoat would have posted his gear list. It seems everything has failed him, rain jacket, pants, mitts, boots and he wound up with frostbite and ambulance ride. He was so desperate to get warm, he donned frozen rain pants and CROCS and made a run for Top of Georgia hostel in the snow...miles...

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=553721

Thanks for the link even though he posts only a couple sentences about the ordeal. Any mention of the kind of boots he was wearing for this hike??

I was out at the same time and not too far from him and yes it was very cold during the days mentioned---January 6 thru January 9 or 10. It was 4F where I was with several inches of snow, as below.

He mentioned something about needing his microspikes---I brought mine but never used them although I did need my Voile snow shovel. I think my heavy full leather Zamberlan boots saved my toes from frostbite---certain of it. I want to know what he was using for footwear??

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2017-Trips-79/Quest-For-The-Wildcat/i-r5JfbmF/0/XL/P1000071-XL.jpg

chknfngrs
02-08-2017, 11:32
https://www.instagram.com/9samrush/

ScareBear
02-08-2017, 12:09
Thanks for the link even though he posts only a couple sentences about the ordeal. Any mention of the kind of boots he was wearing for this hike??

I was out at the same time and not too far from him and yes it was very cold during the days mentioned---January 6 thru January 9 or 10. It was 4F where I was with several inches of snow, as below.

He mentioned something about needing his microspikes---I brought mine but never used them although I did need my Voile snow shovel. I think my heavy full leather Zamberlan boots saved my toes from frostbite---certain of it. I want to know what he was using for footwear??

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2017-Trips-79/Quest-For-The-Wildcat/i-r5JfbmF/0/XL/P1000071-XL.jpg

I went back and looked at all his photos...his Springer start shows him in.....low-cut trail runners.....egads...4F...egads....

It seems he is slackpacking now....but at least he's back on the trail...kinda...

Venchka
02-08-2017, 18:39
I wish BillyGoat would have posted his gear list. It seems everything has failed him, rain jacket, pants, mitts, boots and he wound up with frostbite and ambulance ride. He was so desperate to get warm, he donned frozen rain pants and CROCS and made a run for Top of Georgia hostel in the snow...miles...

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=553721

"Crap, wish I hadn't've mailed ahead my microspikes to this hostel." Billy Goat, January 8, 2017.
Wayne

ScareBear
02-13-2017, 11:07
Those are usually final words in a journal...just sayin...

Engine
02-13-2017, 11:25
Well, according to another hikers vlog, Billy Goats trail name has changed to "Black-Toe"...

ScareBear
02-13-2017, 11:50
Appropriately enough!