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The following has been transcribed directly from the journal that I kept while hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT).

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Thursday, April 27, 2000
7:38 am wake up. 35 degrees. Cream of wheat for breakfast. Blackhawk helicopter flew through the valley twice. Heard a grouse I think also. they make a low drumming sound…like a distant 2 cycle engine revving up.

10:34 am. 60 degrees. Sunny day. It was 45 degrees when we started 1 hour ago. Pretty fast going along ridge lines one big climb up from Blackwell creek. Going to jump on Georgia Highway 42 and head into the town of Suches.

*Blackhawk flew over once more before we left. We also took a picture of us in the Devil’s Kitchen (the place we slept last night).

Arrived at Gooch Gap-2.9 miles-1 hour of walking-we took a 15-minute break (total 1:15). Mike, Donny, and I are going to walk into Suches-2.7 miles. Todd and Skye are going to continue along the trail and will meet us at Woody Gap.

2.7 miles took us 47 minutes-slow winding road with continuous up slope. Got to the crossroads of GA 42 and GA 60. Old store (abandoned) sits here: Tritts Country Store. There is a pay phone on the other side of the street. Very pretty view. Wooden fence in front of a lake at the base of a small mountain.

Lots of people driving by but no one stopping at all. We have decided that I will stay here with the packs and Mike an Donny will walk to the Post office and dump some of their weight (Mike sent home his mixing bowls, mini-color TV and some other stuff and Donny dumped a lot of MRE’s (Army food-heavy!).

Two girls just walked by. One with long, brownish-blonde hair and the other with long brunette hair-they are dressed in apparent home made, long skirts and long sleeve shirts and hats. Both have shoes and socks (not sure why I wrote that). I imagine it is similar to dress, which has been worn for hundreds of years. They walked up the hill (towards Woody Gap) and then came slowly running back down. Exercising I suppose.

1:18 pm. 61 degrees. Lying in the sun catching some rays. Not sure, but I think Donnie ditched most of his MRE’s-he was way over packed. Mike is sending home some shoes? camp lantern, mixing bowls, TV and other stuff. Waiting for them to get back so we can move on and meet the others at Woody Gap.

We will by-pass 4 miles of the trail but end up walking 4.7 to get to and from Suches.

By the way, my Gaiters are great-have no problems of getting stuff (rocks and such) in my boots. Zip off pants are worth the price also.

Ate a power bar, MRE frankfurters and MRE shoestring potatoes for lunch (Donny was getting rid of it so we had a feast).

Woodshole Shelter is 6.6 from the Gap-I imagine that the father and daughter will be there tonight but don’t think we can make 8.6 more today. Depends on when Mike and Donny get back-we have 5.6 so far today.

1:32 pm. 65 degrees - 4 cyclists just rode past me.

Kind of weird, although we are not bound by a need to reach certain distances and times so much, you almost feel disappointed that we don’t cover more than 10 miles a day. Really end up pushing over some huge, steep hills and almost run down the other side.

“The relative serenity of the downhill is often interrupted by the chaos of the uphill.” - Gordo

Man just came to intersection driving a blue, 1980’s Chevy station wagon. There was a young child-3 or 4 years old- standing in the front seat looking out the windows.

1:52 pm. Drying my socks out. Took boots apart. Left toe is cracked (plastic inside of boot) but I didn’t notice while walking. Still no blisters but left Achilles still hurts when walking. Definite bruising and irritation on my Achilles. Will put some moleskin on before walking on.

Had 2 Bell, hand-held walkie-talkies and just made radio check with Skye and Todd-they arrived at the Gap 15 minutes ago. 1t is 2:00pm. Mike and Donny are approaching. Should make the Gap by 3:00pm.

Took 30 minutes to climb the long hill to the Gap. Went to the bathroom in an outhouse. Took a picture of Mike and I with an awesome overlook in the background.

3:00 pm. 73 degrees. Time for water and walking. 6.6 miles to Woodshole Shelter. Heard it may rain. Big hill coming up-up out of Lunsford Gap.

Kicked ass up Lunsford Gap and Big Cedar Mountain. Switchbacks but what a view from the top! Clear and open on a large rock-unobstructed view down to a huge river valley. We can see many mountains in the distance. We think it is Yona Mountain and Helen, Georgia. Down the hill and up a slight incline to Granny Top Mountain then a sharp decline via switchbacks down to a valley.

In the valley we decide to refill everyone’s water since we will not make Woodshole Shelter. Todd and I fill all bottles out of another small spring while the others continue on and look for a suitable campsite. We have the walkie-talkies so we can talk. All water is filled and they radio us from beyond the steep walls of Baker Mountain and still haven’t found a place to sleep. Todd and I pick out water-laden packs up and they are heavy! Steep climb. We see 2 owls and a woodpecker that has a black body, white neck, and a read head. We continue along Baker Mountain and it is way steep up and down. We have to cross up, steeply, 3 switchbacks where we summit a hill with another rock and clear overlook. Great view. Now, down the hill and into our campsite.

Campsite is on level ground down the hill. A nice spot. Time enough to make some powdered man-n-cheese. Damn good with some extra water (don’t have the milk or margarine to add so some extra water makes it just creamy enough-probably would hate it back in the “world”). Also did some cocoa, beef jerky and some Pringles (they picked them up for me in Suches). Built a fire and somehow a lighter got in there and it blew up.

My shit (gear) was still spread out and a few raindrops start falling. Packed up, put my pack in Skye’s tent and we climbed in our tent (Mike and I are sleeping in a Sierra Designs Flash-light Clip cd tent-designed really for 1, but fits 2 with no gear). Rain continues to fall steadily but not too hard.

8:30 pm. 60 degrees.

Miles today: 12.6 miles(4.7 miles not on the trail)

Overall Total:33.8 miles