[at-l] 1999 Lister Blister Tour

[VTGRDNSHED@aol.com]

I was anxious to get walking after my 19-hour car drive from VT to Amicalola
Falls Lodge. I made stops along the way in CT to pick up Kenny, in VA where
Chase treated us to dinner and provided us with a huge bag of grapefruits to
share with other hikers, and in SC to pick up Shamrock.  

March 14 USFS 42 9.7 miles

It's been 22 years since I last stood on Springer. I didn't go up the approach
trail way back when (went up Frosty Mtn Trail) and was anxious to do so now.
I registered my car with the park ranger.  As I walked around the visitor
center building I met my first thru hiker, Jean Francois from Quebec City.  He
posed under the stone arch and I took his picture.  He was bubbling with
excitement and frequently apologized for his poor command of English. His
enthusiasm could be understood in any language.  The temperature was around
40*.  As I climbed and wound my way up and over several mole hills it rained
off and on and the wind blew the ice that had formed during the previous
evening's storm off of tree limbs onto my head.   I caught up with Dave,
Greylox , Pilgrim, Chad and Eagle(wearing his Frog Togs).  We all took
pictures of each other and signed the register hidden in the rock on Springer.
Along came Lance from Nebraska. We all meandered our way to the Springer Mtn
Shelter where we were greeted by numerous thru hikers all hunkered down, some
spending their second night on the frosty summit. I left the shelter and
headed down the trail to USFS 42, where I expected to meet Pittsburgh's Big
Blue Bear Box.  Soon I could hear an auto coming up the road…Hurrah it was the
van carrying my hiking partners, Kenny, Shamrock and Choovers.  The rain had
let up so we quickly set up our tents and readied camp for the first night on
the trail. Around 10 or so in the evening a local rescue squad arrived at our
camp looking for a stranded hiker named "Lucy".   

March 15 Hickory Flats 4.9 miles

During the night the weather worsened…rain to freezing rain to snow.  We woke
up to an inch or so of cold crunchy white stuff.  My tent was frozen, the
inside temp was 28*.   No one wanted to get going….it was a short day…we
thawed out in the van and dismantled our frozen tents and headed for Hickory
Flats. Before leaving camp I spied a Michigan car in the lot.  Suspecting it
was Mark Schieber I walked up and introduced myself. Sure enough it was Mark
and his parents. His mother seemed a bit nervous about letting her baby take
off for the adventure of his life.

At Stover Creek Shelter a full pack was hanging on the back wall.  Someone had
noted in the register that it had been there for at least a week.

Walking along Stover Creek we heard some crashing through the brush to the
left and could see a running deer. Hearing more noise and thinking it was
another deer following the first, Turtle, Kenny, Shamrock, Choovers and I
stopped to watch.  We were all surprised to see that it was not a second deer
but a large(70lbs) greyish canine chasing the deer.  Some of us thought it was
a wolf and some thought it was a coyote, we just could not decide, the jury is
still out on this one.   

At Long Creek Falls there is a white cross marking the burial site of a
beloved Weimaraner.

As we approached Hickory Flats Cemetery we spotted a couple of Army Medic
Trucks from Camp Merrill on maneuvers.  We could hear helicopters and incoming
projectiles whistling through the air.   Just how many soldiers were watching
us I'll never know, but I'm sure we were surrounded.  The sun was shining
brightly and we were able to dry out our tents.  We had several hours to
lounge in the sun and feasted on a great spaghetti dinner. Possum from
Michigan joined us briefly, ate a grapefruit and headed out for Hawk Mtn
Shelter. 

March 16  Gooch Gap  10.6 miles

Had an unusual wake up call at 5:30am…the loudspeaker from Camp Merrill echoed
through the hills blaring Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" followed by the
camp's breakfast menu.  At Horse Gap we found a semi assembled Eureka tent,
long johns and toiletries.  This made me question if it this was the enigmatic
"Lucy's" deserted campsite.   The day was sunny and warm.  77*.  Met several
hikers and their dogs.  There was a Newfoundland, a Chocolate Lab and several
of the Heinz 57 variety .  Several hikers were lounging around Justus Creek.
Found an unexploded paint bullet right on the trail.   At Gooch Gap we had a
huge bon fire with 14 hikers.  We all cheered "About 40", from Denver, CO as
he limped into camp.  

March 17 Jarrard Gap 9.4 miles

We could not see the Atlanta skyline from Ramrock Mtn.    Met several groups
of hikers on spring break from Purdue and Goucher.  At Jarrard Gap we took the
blue blazed side trail to Pittsburgh's van where he drove us to Vogel State
Park.  The Forest Service was in the middle of a controlled burn and the
valley air was irritatingly smoke filled.  

March 18  Hogpen Gap 11.3 miles

When I woke up my lungs felt heavy from breathing smoked filled air all night.
Turtle decided to stop hiking stating that his recurrent sciatica was acting
up and he needed to recuperate.  He would call his brother and go to his home
in northern GA for some R&R.  We all wished him well and hoped to see him on
the trail real soon.

On the climb up Blood I met Rude Dog, Coopertop and Susie.  All was quiet when
I got to Blood Mtn Shelter when all of a sudden from the north this wild and
sweaty guy came from around the shelter……it was Slyman….hiking in from Neel's
looking for his honey Choover's.  

Leaving Blood Mtn I missed the left turn of the white blazes and mistakenly
took Kenny and Coopertop down a rock slab.  We backtracked and found where I
went wrong and headed for Neel's Gap.  Walasi-Yi Centers was bustling with all
of the folks I'd been crossing paths with over the past couple of days.  Many
headed out for Goose Creek. Maildrops were strewn all over the picnic tables,
some folks were lightening their loads and mailing things home, some by as
much as 10 pounds!! Bought a tee shirt for Kylo-t-matic and a silkweight
Patagonia longsleeve crew to replace the one I lent to Kenny. 

Coming off of Cowrock Mtn, again I did not veer to the left as I should have
and headed the wrong way.  This made Kenny very quiet (it's not good to get a
neophyte lost twice in one day, especially when she's your older sister). By
the time we reached Tesnatee Gap she would not budge the .9 mile further to
Hogpen Gap.  She and Choovers asked Shamrock and I to send Pittsburgh back for
them.  It was very windy at Hogpen Gap.  I set up the tent in sheltered
campsite 200 steps north on the trail out of the howling winds that blasted
through the gap.  Kenny decided to leave right then and there.  Pittsburgh
drove her to Blairsville.  Also camped at Hogpen were Eagle and Fuddles(from
Trumbull, CT)

March 19  Unicoi Gap 13.6 miles

Had to make a boot switch right after Low Gap Shelter.  I was getting a sore
upper foot tendon from my new Montrail Sandia Peak boots.  As soon as I put on
my Montrail Vitesse it was like a miracle occurred…no more rubbing and
tenderness and I was instantly pain free.  I shrieked when a ruffed grouse
scared the living daylights out of me when it took flight as I approached.
Could hear male grouse drumming on logs in the distance. Walked a bit with
Eagle and met Pa from New Brunswick at the Blue Mtn Shelter spring. Pittsburgh
brought us to the Super 8 Motel in Helen, GA.  I laundered my clothes and had
a tasty dinner at the Helen Restaurant.  Met Redfox in the laundromat.  We now
have another member of our group, Lydia from Idaho a.k.a. "Sacagawea".

March 20  Tray Gap  via Unicoi and Addis Gap 11.1 miles

Hiked both north and south today….Shamrock, Sacagawea and I went north from
Unicoi to Tray Gap.  Met up with Gayland (Ricco) and Simba, from Portland, ME
at Tray Gap. Pittsburgh then drove the 3 of us to Addis Gap where we hiked
south back to Tray Gap to attend the BBQ.  I had a stare off with an owl near
Blue Ridge Swag for nearly 5 minutes.  The owl got bored with me and flew off.
I could smell the burgers as I came down Tray Mtn into the gap.  I was
surprised to see so many familiar faces, MLC, Mark, Lance, Crash and Alta,
Coopertop & Susie, Rude Dog, Ann Marie & H, Greylox, Pilgrim, Possum, Eagle,
and Phoenix .  Many thanks to SLG, MLC, and Pittsburgh for preparing a greatly
appreciated feast.  As dusk approached the dogs began barking into the
darkness…it made wonder what they could hear or see that we could not…I made a
wild dash back to my tent when it started to sprinkle since I had left the
door open. It rained off and on all night.  Discovered that my Bibler leaks
when it rains.  The source seems to be the side name labels.  

March 21 Dick's Creek Gap 5.6 miles

Had a great breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, English muffins, OJ, and
coffee.  After breaking camp Pittsburgh drove Shamrock, Sacagawea and me back
to Addis Gap where we hiked north to Dick's Creek Gap.    We drove to
Hiawassee and checked into the Holiday Inn Express.  I enjoyed soaking in the
whirlpool.  

March 22 Deep Gap 15.6 miles

Finally walked out of GA today.  The two short sweet climbs out of Bly Gap
were a minor slowdown.  Met Hungry Hiker at Muskrat Creek Shelter.  As we
hiked out to Deep Gap HH entertained me with his tales of griz encounters on
the CDT.  

March 23 Mooney Gap 13.10 miles

Took the side trail up Standing Indian to the summit.  Great views.  The
rhodie leaves  were curled tight on the summit, well below freezing.  Kinda
nippy up there but the view fantastic.  Seldom Seen slept on the summit and
was dismantling camp when I arrived.   Had lunch with Shamrock and the Hiking
Pole at the new Carter Gap Shelter.  Nothing is nicer than a new, well-
designed shelter.  Just loved the benches with a backrest.

Tonight is Shamrock's last night on the trail.  Sacagawea started a great
little fire using discarded dryer sheets (a.k.a. Bounce).  

March 24 Winding Stair Gap 11.3 miles

Checked into the Franklin Motel. Right next door to the laundromat is a
quilting store.  I bought some more fabric to add to my stash.  Sacagawea
treated us to  a great dinner at Pettriccio's.  Shamrock's son came around 7
to pick to her up.  It sure was nice walking with her.  I hope she comes to
Vermont this summer and does some hiking. 

March 25  Burningtown Gap  14.6 miles

Sacagawea and I huffed and puffed our way up to Wayah Bald.  The weather was
changing. The periwinkle along USFS 69 was budding and a few flowers had
opened.  Met four thru hikers at Burningtown Gap where we saw a skunk waddle
out of the woods to check out "Just Will's" food bag that he had spread out
near a treee.  Could hear two bears calling to each other from somewhere along
Copper Ridge.  The temp is dropping.   Went back to Franklin and checked into
the Microtel Hotel.  Went to Pizzahut for dinner and then to a movie.  


My tour with the 1999 Slackpack Lister Blisters was complete.  I had a great
time. This is the first hike where I gained weight. Luckily, I avoided
blisters, shin splints and my IT band didn't act up either. Friday morning I
woke up to a pouring rain.  Soon the rain changed to huge wet snowflakes.
Pittsburgh drove me back to my car at Amicalola Falls State Park. After
notifying the park ranger of my return I headed north.   

Mrs. Gorp

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