[at-l] Short trip/Long post

[RET33@prodigy.net (Robert Tomlinson)]

Fur:

I am glad to see you have retained a sense of humor even in adverse
circumstances like these. It makes me root all the more for you to get
healed and eventually complete the trip and fulfill your (and my) dream.
When I say my dream, I hope to do the AT within a few years (you and I are
about the same age) but until then if you do it, I think I will be almost as
satisfied as if I had done it myself! Does that make any sense? Well anyway,
hang in there and get well soon!

RET in Sunny Fla

----- Original Message -----
From: <FurTrappers@webtv.net>
To: <at-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 8:06 AM
Subject: [at-l] Short trip/Long post


> Well, hello there listers! I'm back from my thru-hike already, boy how
> time flies when your having fun!! Kinda feels like i've only been gone a
> week or so!
>
> So, here's a break down of my trip on the AT....
> Day 1-
> Left Springer Mountain on March the 2nd. in rain and fog around noon.
> Hiked approx. 5 miles to Long Creek Falls and pitched camp for the
> night, in the rain and fog. Slept wonderfully with the sound of the
> falls in the background, with rain showers all night.
> Day 2-
> Woke up to more rain and fog, both inside the tent and out. Ate a small
> breakfast of pop-tarts and hot chocolate, packed up wet gear and moved
> on. Hiked most of the day to Cooper Gap, approx. 6.75 miles, in the rain
> and fog. Was picked up there and taken to Gooch Gap for a little get
> together, in the rain and fog. Was a very pleasant evening none the less
> with good friends and POGs homemade chicken soup. Had another wet nights
> sleep, in the rain and fog. Woke to a wet sleeping bag, more rain, and
> more fog. The wind had decided to join the group at this time too, so
> now we had rain, fog, and wind.
> Day 3-
> POG gave me a ride back to Cooper Gap where i slack-packed back to Gooch
> Gap, in the rain, sometimes fog, and wind. Oh yeah, the sun even tried
> to come out and play for awhile. Approx. 4.25 miles. Good thing for the
> wind, it worked at blowing the fog away. Made it back to Gooch in no
> time, i could really get into the slack-packing thing ;^)! Met up with
> Pog again, ate a wonderful hot lunch, and just sat around the camp fire
> chatting. The rain decided to blow away too, but the temp. was dropping
> fast. After POG left, i climbed into my bag, and rested the day away, in
> the wind and dropping temps. Another wet nights sleep, even tho i woke
> up every hour to wipe the inside of the tent off.
> Day 4-
> Left Gooch Gap and hiked to Woods Hole Shelter, in the wind, and now
> freezing temps. Approx. 10.75 miles. Had planned on staying at Jarrard
> Gap, but was just to windy in all the Gaps. Looking back now, I should
> have stayed there, at least it was at a lower elevation. The wind blew
> unmercifully all night, and the temps continued to drop. Woke to snow on
> the ground, and on my sleeping bag, both from blowing through the
> no-see-um and from the condensation inside the tent. Temps. were well
> below 0 with the wind chill.
> Day 5-
> Packed up my now wet and frozen gear, and headed for Blood Mountain.
> Right after making the turn at Slaughter Gap, and starting uphill, i
> slipped and turned my right knee. Didn't hurt much at first, and the
> hike up Blood was great. The wind and temp was a different story tho.
> Ice on the trail makes for interesting hiking. The views from Blood was
> well worth the climb, but by now the knee was throbbing. Hiking down
> Blood Mountain was much worse then going up. The constant pounding on
> the knee brought tears to my eyes, or was it the freezing wind? Did make
> it to Neels Gap in time to catch the shuttle to Goose Creek Cabins tho,
> what a great place to lay up for a few days to heal. Approx. 4 miles for
> the day. Coosa paid a visit, was great to finally meet up with her! Had
> a wonderful dinner of t-bone steak with more good friends, new and old.
> Retuned to Goose Creek to rest the knee. Again, what a great place to
> stay, would highly recommend everyone to check out this place if you
> haven't already!
> Day 6-
> Woke up in a warm and dry bed for the first time since the trip started,
> felt great. Had almost forgotten about the knee until i jumped out of
> bed, man that floor was hard when i hit it!! Hopeful from the list
> stopped by for a grand visit, was really nice meeting and chatting,
> seems we have alot in common! Ordered hot wings and bread sticks for
> dinner, was delivered right to the cabin, what more could a cripple ask
> for! Another cozy dry and warm bed for the night.
> Day 7-
> Spent the day walking around the camp ground trying to loosen the knee
> up, but that only added to the pain.
> Doug and Kajsa(?) from the list arrived around 5:00 and picked me up.
> The ride to Dougs place was filled with plenty of laughter and even a
> great meal. More great people from the list!! And, another cozy night,
> at Dougs, even if it was after 1:00 before we got to bed.
> Day 8-
> Spent the day between resting and walking around trying to get the knee
> back to normal, with little luck. The pizza was great tho, or was it the
> great people i was with, both i guess! Hikers together, chatting about
> gear, and past and future hikes.
> Day 9-
> Well, this is the day I left to come home. I won't say anything about
> the train being 3 hours late!! And them seats, note to me, next time,
> bring some padding for those rock hard seats, there as hard as a wooden
> cabin floor!
> Day 10-
> Was met at the train station by the prettiest hiker babe. Even got a hug
> and a kiss from her ;^{}. Another note to self, Think I need to go away
> more often! I like the return benefits!!
> Well, thats the story and i'm sticking to it! All and all, it was a
> great trip, other then the knee thing. I learned a few things, and met
> some great people along the way, both on the trail and off. Wanted to
> take this opportunity to say a big thanks to everyone! My thru didn't
> turn out the way i hoped, but it could have been much worse. I'll keep
> you updated on the knee, it's no better today then it was last week this
> time. I was hoping to get back on the trail soon, we'll have to wait and
> see what the docs say. I'm hoping to start at Harpers Ferry and hike
> north, then come back and hike towards Neels Gap..... Who knows, i might
> get this trip done yet!!
>
> Thanks again to everyone for all the help, well wishes, and kind words!!
> You all are the BEST!!!!
> FurTrappers
>
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