MedicineMan
12-17-2002, 01:24
Before I bore you with the details let me tell you this section was stunning! It was the perfect winter hike and everything the trail is capable of was given to us.
Participants:
Robert- age old section hiker
Cathy- greenhorn section hiker-this was her second AT section!
Gitchee Goomie- 10 pounds of hiking furry-miniature poodle.
Before hike accomodations: The Hike Inn
Shuttler: Jeff
Difficulties getting to trail-none after Asheville,NC-it took 2 1/2 hours to get from Johnson City to Asheville, normally an hour drive but icy conditions on Sam's Gap/a wreck/ a pedestrian hit by a car trying to assist/ all slowed the traffic to a parking lot status.
Room rate: 30 bucks before tax
Shuttle fare: 30 dollars, to Wesser and then to Stecoah
Trail conditions: hiked in snow from Stecoah to 3 miles before Wesser. Deepest snow just before Cheoah Bald and just after with the sags up to 8 inches and 4 inches on top. The deep snow wore out the poodle, she had to 'springbok' through it.
View on top: Oustanding and worth the 5 mile climb.
Gear used: Camelbak Peakbagger and Camelbak Rimrunner. Cathy carried a BivAnorak and I carried a tube tent and WM Linelite just in case. Brasslite Solo.
Clothing: again in the kilt and again loving it (fleece shorts underneath), Buffalo Activity Shirt over two biking jersees. Both of us wore LLBean Cresta Hikers-leather/goretex)....Cathy did not break her boots in and got them the day before the hike. She one hot spot but no blisters-the boots speak for themselves. Cathy wore fleece pants and over pant shell, fleece top and a Marmot anorak I donated for the cause. Both of wore fleece balaclavas most of the day and gloves and mittens. Gitchee had her new backpack on and booties (she lost one bootie)
Camera-hers a Canon point and shoot. Me, a Canon S-300 digital which failed yet again! I am studying alternatives and have had it with digital cameras :( Hiking poles for me, none for Cathy, she is not a believer yet.
Temperature-began with temps between 19 and 22 degrees, dropping close to Wesser it felt like 45-48 but not confirmed.
Highlite: the sign that read Cheoah Bald the and view
Dissapointmens: did not locate Swim Bald nor the 'Jumpup'
Cathy will read this later now that she knows of WhiteBlaze so let me brag on this awesome woman, how many chicks do you know that can deal with a 5 mile climb, new boots, cold temps on her second hike!
Almost forgot,
Shelter-Sassafras Gap-beautiful, well designed and kept up well.
Water: everywhere-just bring a lot of fuel!
Enough for now.
Participants:
Robert- age old section hiker
Cathy- greenhorn section hiker-this was her second AT section!
Gitchee Goomie- 10 pounds of hiking furry-miniature poodle.
Before hike accomodations: The Hike Inn
Shuttler: Jeff
Difficulties getting to trail-none after Asheville,NC-it took 2 1/2 hours to get from Johnson City to Asheville, normally an hour drive but icy conditions on Sam's Gap/a wreck/ a pedestrian hit by a car trying to assist/ all slowed the traffic to a parking lot status.
Room rate: 30 bucks before tax
Shuttle fare: 30 dollars, to Wesser and then to Stecoah
Trail conditions: hiked in snow from Stecoah to 3 miles before Wesser. Deepest snow just before Cheoah Bald and just after with the sags up to 8 inches and 4 inches on top. The deep snow wore out the poodle, she had to 'springbok' through it.
View on top: Oustanding and worth the 5 mile climb.
Gear used: Camelbak Peakbagger and Camelbak Rimrunner. Cathy carried a BivAnorak and I carried a tube tent and WM Linelite just in case. Brasslite Solo.
Clothing: again in the kilt and again loving it (fleece shorts underneath), Buffalo Activity Shirt over two biking jersees. Both of us wore LLBean Cresta Hikers-leather/goretex)....Cathy did not break her boots in and got them the day before the hike. She one hot spot but no blisters-the boots speak for themselves. Cathy wore fleece pants and over pant shell, fleece top and a Marmot anorak I donated for the cause. Both of wore fleece balaclavas most of the day and gloves and mittens. Gitchee had her new backpack on and booties (she lost one bootie)
Camera-hers a Canon point and shoot. Me, a Canon S-300 digital which failed yet again! I am studying alternatives and have had it with digital cameras :( Hiking poles for me, none for Cathy, she is not a believer yet.
Temperature-began with temps between 19 and 22 degrees, dropping close to Wesser it felt like 45-48 but not confirmed.
Highlite: the sign that read Cheoah Bald the and view
Dissapointmens: did not locate Swim Bald nor the 'Jumpup'
Cathy will read this later now that she knows of WhiteBlaze so let me brag on this awesome woman, how many chicks do you know that can deal with a 5 mile climb, new boots, cold temps on her second hike!
Almost forgot,
Shelter-Sassafras Gap-beautiful, well designed and kept up well.
Water: everywhere-just bring a lot of fuel!
Enough for now.