BMT#3: The Search for Diamonds

[Gambit McCrae]

I need to preface this trip report with the point that this is technically my 3rd trip on the BMT, but the first since 2012. I did 2 trips on the BMT way back when, and I will probably not do trip reports for those as they are pretty obsolete at this point, but I will be counting those trips towards my completion of the trail.

Ok on to the good stuff! First I have to say my wife is like no other. She supports my dreams every chance she gets, and my kids do too. Our family believes that everyone in the family has the right to following their dreams, and we all take turns when the others need support in doing so. I am truly fortunate to have the support system that I do. I typically stay off the trails during the heat of the summer however with my newly acquired habit for running I could stay off the trails no longer and planned a hybrid trip to include my family, an airbnb and a lot of BMT miles. We reserved a house in East Ellijay and the Cartecay River and arrived around 8pm Friday night. I laid out my fastpack vest, hydration and fuel for the next morning.

4am came early but by 4:20 we were all in the car(my wife, daughter and son) and we were off to Springer Mtn. At 5am the GPS arrived us at three forks trail head...I reselect springer trailhead, and this time I see it auto redirect me to Three Forks! What the heck! The GPS tricked us.

So another 30 minutes or so and we were on Springer, start time 5:30am. My bird dog Lori and I start running up Springer and that's when the tummy complications started. 30 minutes later, tummy complications are gone and I am back at it...I am well behind my intended timing but I continue and make it to the BMT terminus shortly after 6am.

At mile 19, 11am I ran up on an ol black bear. He saw me first and was running down the trail maybe 30 feet in from of me, all I saw was that big booty bouncing along. 1 mile later I arrive at Skeenah Gap for a quick resupply from the Fam! Water, electrolytes, short sit down and I was back up and at it, maybe a 20 minute break. Leaving Skeenah there is a beautiful string of fighting climbs, possibly 6 or 7 little fighters after a back to back big climb.

At mile 31.5 in just under 10 hours I came out of the woods at Wilscot Gap where my amazing family was waiting for me. I was pretty drained but think with another sit down I may have had another 10 slow miles in me. Saturday evening we went to dinner in Ellijay, played some games and in bed.

Sunday morning, up at 4am and on the road by 4:20. At Wilscot Gap by 5am and off I went. Got a text from my wife just minutes later, bear #2 for the weekend ran right out in front of them as they left the trail head.
Sunday I thought I would do a celebratory run for my accomplishment the day before, 20 miles later I arrived at us75 just after 12pm.

Total: 51.8 miles in 18 hours and 45 min

It was a great run and I am excited to head back next month for some more, but probably not this intensely lol

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[chknfngrs]

Nice! Trail running is an awesome way to get a little of the backpacking but in a more condensed manner. I often don’t have time to do a weekend backpacking trip without a major debit from the Bank of Missus Chknfngrs, but it’s easy to say I’ll be back on the same day. Plus running is awesome. Glad you got out there for a bit and had no real bear scares.

[Slugg]

Sounds like a pretty good way to complete those miles this time of year. Enjoyed the report.

[illabelle]

That's a beautiful photo!