February 20, 2005- I've managed to locate all of my gear and have turned my attention to planning. I've come up with a rough schedule of where I hope to be and when I hope to be there. This list is subject to change depending on weather, injury, and a host of other factors.
Town Anticipated Date
Hiawassee, GA end of first week in April
Fontana Dam Village 3rd week of April
Hot Springs, NC end of April beginning of May
Erwin, TN end of 1st week of May
Hampton, TN mid May
Damascus, VA mid May
Atkins, VA mid May
Pearisburg, VA end of May
Waynesboro, VA mid June
Harpers Ferry, WVA mid to late June
Boilins Springs, PA late June - early July
Duncannon, PA early July
Delaware Water Gap, PA mid July
Fort Montgomery, NY mid July
Kent, CT mid to late July
Williamstown, MA end of July beginning ofAugust
Killington, VT early to mid August
Hanover, NH mid August
Glencliff, NH mid August
Gorham, NH mid to late August
Andover, ME late August
Stratton, ME early September
Monson, ME early September
Baxter Peak, Mt Katahdin mid September
Having completed the rough schedule I am ready to specifically plan the first sections The schedule for these sections looks like this.
Hike 1 Amicalola Park-Neels Gap
39.3 miles
Anticipated Days 5
Day 1 Approach to Springer
Notes: Anticipate long Hard Day 8.8 mostly uphill miles
Day 2 Springer to Hawk Mtn Shelter
Notes: A slightly easier day. Only 7.6 miles and the first 4 miles are mostly level to down hill
Day 3 Hawk Mtn Shelter to Gooch Mtn Shelter
Notes: A butt kicking day. Only 7.3 miles but it involves 2 serious climbs
Day 4 Gooch Mtn Shelter to Woodshole Shelter
Notes: An ambitious 11.9 miles- Did not quite make it to this shelter in 2003. There is one major climb
Day 5 Woodshole Shelter to Neels Gap
Notes: A very short 3.7 miles if you leave from Woodshole, There is one major climb and then a steep descent into Neels Gap. Resupply at Neels Gap The Walasi-Y, a hostel with bunk, showers, and laundry ($15 per night)/ outfitter/grocery is literally on the trail. The trail runs through a breezeway separating the hostel from the store. Shuttle service into Blairsville, GA may be arranged from here.
First re-supply point
Cumulative Days: 4 (April 2)
Hike 2 Neels Gap to Hiawassee
36.1 miles
Anticipated Days 5
Day 1 Neels Gap to Whitley Gap Shelter
Notes:A long climb out of Neels Gap followed by a decent ridge walk. Followed by a descent and another climb. Probably won't stay at shelter as it is more than a mile off the trail. Distance is 6.2 miles
Day 2 Whitley Gap Shelter to Blue Mtn Shelter
Notes: 11.6 miles
Day 3 Blue Mtn Shelter to Tray Mtn Shelter
Notes: 7.7 miles
Day 4 Tray Mtn Shelter to Deep Gap Shelter
Notes: 7.1 miles
Day 5 Deep Gap Shelter to Hiawaassee
Notes 3.5 miles; Hiawassee is 11 miles from the trail Hiawassee Inn will shuttle to and from trailhead.
Resupply in Hiawassee. There is a grocery and a couple of restaurants in Hiawassee. The major lodgin options are the Hiawassee Inn ($35.00 single), Mulls Motel ($45.00), and Holiday Inn Express ($71.00) Will probably opt for Hiawassee Inn as they are less expensive and do provide shuttle service
Cumulative Days: 9 (April 7)
Once I am in Hiawassee, I will check my maps, talk to people, perhaps make a few phone calls, and plan the next few stages in detail. If I find that I am far behind schedule I will have to plan mre ambitious days but if I am ahead I can plan slower more relaxed days.
Posted by john at February 20, 2005 05:26 PM