As of yesterday, I successfully completed 101 sequential days of “zero miles” on the Appalachian Trail! I ended that streak today.
I had packed my gear the night before and loaded it into the Highlander so that, at 0600, I was able to stagger out to the car and begin driving east toward the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Heavy fog blanketed my route from North Alabama to Chattanooga. Traffic backed up at the junction of I24 and I59 due to a freight truck that had rolled over and spilled its load, blocking all east-bound lanes and causing traffic to be routed south on I59. I had to drive a quarter of the way to Birmingham before I could turn around and get back on course. I arrived at the NOC around 1245 (EDT) and immediately found my transport driver, already waiting to chauffeur me around to where I left the trail 102 days ago at Deep Gap [and again, I highly recommend Ron Brown as a reliable and entertaining shuttle driver for hikers seeking transport in the NC/GA area]. I shared the ride with two other hikers from Albany, Georgia who were being dropped off at Rock Gap near Standing Indian Campground.
After the twisting drive down Forest Road 71, Ron dropped me off at Deep Gap. I put on my pack, adjusted my straps and started uphill toward Standing Indian Mountain, elevation 5499 (the highest point along the trail south of the Smokeys). After only about 100 yards, I found a bag of “trial magic” suspended on a low tree branch. Three cold Colas, a bag of powdered donuts and a couple of single serving Cheetos bags were tucked away for whatever hungry hiker wanted to partake. I decided to enjoy a cola right there on the spot. I guzzled it down and stowed the empty can back in the bag so I could avoid packing it around for the next four days. I also stashed a small bag of Cheetos in my cargo shorts because, hey – cargo shorts!
The rest of the day was spent sprinting up and over Standing Indian Mountain and on to Carter Gap Shelter. To the best of my memory, I have climbed Standing Indian Mountain five times now (chronologically: once in Boy Scouts, once after college with friends on a prior segment hike, once during a spontaneously suggested and poorly planned afternoon hike with my wife, brother and father during a weekend family camping trip where everyone was extremely hangry and grouchy because we neglected to bring any snacks on that now infamous 8.4 mile loop hike from Standing Indian Campground and I KNOW I saw my brother drop back behind us and eat a full-sized Hershey bar without offering to share it but he still denies to this day, once on a loop hike with a few adult scout leaders, and once today) and I have never seen anything but clouds up there.
I arrived at Carter Gap Shelter just before sunset. I had hiked 8.5 miles since Deep Gap starting at 2:45 in the afternoon. Pretty good pace! There are 9 other hikers here going both directions. I got here late enough that I did not socialize much, but simply set up the hammock, ate dinner, and laid down for the night.
Doctor Photon