OmPi's Adventures

This week started off with an amazing hike to the most photographed place on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob. What an exceptional day it was waking at 4am and hiking the 1.5 miles up to catch first light and sunrise. The knob itself is something to see but the views are like none I have yet found on the trail. Mountain ranges and valleys with cities and farm lands as far as the eye can see. There is so much glory of raw nature but for me I have grown to love and find so beautiful the creative and mastery power of the human will and spirit that takes charge, manipulating that nature. It raises cities and beings fulfillment to the earth.

That day also included hiking over the Tinker cliffs which is the exact opposite mountain from McAfee knob. These cliffs were beautiful in a way that words and photos cannot capture but must be visited. In the future I will hike this 20 mile section again and simply divide it over a 3 day period to be able to get the most of all it can offer.

My hiking buddy for the week was Storm, we managed to catch up with some friends, the Royal Couple (Slosh and Scavenger) from early in the trail, actually the first thru-hikers I met still in Atlanta. We took a brief rest at the Howard Johnson Express on Daleville. I give my full recomendation to this establishment, clean, affordable, swimming pool, grill, and includes breakfast.

The next few days are all a bit of a blur running together without a lot to report. The trail was fine but nothing that stands out to mention. I was glad to slow my pace as my ankle issues have started to flair up again. There were a couple swimming holes and even a bit of trail magic along the way.

Today, Wednesday, I experienced my first and apparently last "Take it easy Wednesday". This was created by the Royal Couple to have a day where miles were reduced and you got to enjoy a bit more of the trail. It so happened that it also corresponded to their resupply at a little hostel. 3 Springs Hostel is owned by Oma, a sincere trail angel, who section hiked the portion of the trail that I am currently hiking. She realized how hard it was to resupply in this particular section on her hike and decided to do something about it. As soon as she finished her hike she called a realtor and began looking for a plot of land in the area that was near the trail. When she found a little homestead property just about a mile off trail surrounded by national forest land she quickly bought it and opened her hostel.

With a kind and curtious personality that makes you feel at home she provides a little higher priced hostel. For the price though you get a far superior hostel experience closer to that of a B&B. The best and most noticeable feature was how clean everything was. Even though we were not staying we we welcomed openly to enjoy the beautiful property, resupply (very reasonable prices and many options), she also had a limited but delicious hiker menu for hot lunch and dinner. The best though was the Ice  Cream which she mixed as they do at Cold Stone or Marble Slab, your base flavors were limited to vanilla or chocolate but the add ins were numerous and able to be customized to your liking. She then mixed by hand a personal bowl of flavorful ice cream in one of 3 sizes, day hiker (8oz), section hiker (12 oz) or Thru-hiker  (16 oz). If you are passing thru this section of the trail or while on your thru hike be sure to visit this amazing little hostel. I would recommend staying bit of not go for a quick meal and Ice Cream!

Though the week was a little more low key I am still enjoying the trail. I can hardly believe that I am more than half way through Virginia, and over 800 miles into this 2189 mile adventure. I promise to get back to posting more regular blog updates though they will probably cover a week rather than a day at a time.

Much Love to All!

I'm really am trying to get back on track and have notes and photos that I will post when I have a moment until then here is my dispatch to the Naples Daily News for weeks 7 & 8. My Virginia Blues set in on the Appalachian Trail. In the last 2 weeks I have learned that Virginia is not at all flat but it has some of the most beautiful vews so far on the trail.

Still way behind. Keeping up with a blog, three social media sites, writing for the local paper all while hiking the Appalachian Trail from dawn until dusk has turned out to be more than I can handle and creates a greater drain on my phones battery and backup battery pack than I ever expected. Here is my dispatch to the Naples Daily News for weeks 5 & 6 on the trail. This covers Trail Days, Lots of Rain, Entering Virginia and my birthday.

The morning was a slow start as is to be expected after a night like that. We got up and the room looked like a delivery truck for an outfitter had crashed and spilled gear everywhere. Freefall still needed to shop for his resupply so we headed to the grocer. Note to self get all town chores done before enjoying the down time. I still had to organize and pack my food away.

We decided on the 11am shuttle back to the trail head and I had one more shower in my future before leaving town. As the dust settled and gear was packed we realized there was still some beer left over so nothing like drinking your calories for breakfast. It probably goes without saying but that was not the smartest idea when getting ready to walk a dozen miles up, down and across some mountains.

My pace fluctuated a lot during the day but I arrived at the planned stopping point within about 90 minutes and wasn't ready to stop hiking so I carried on. Just a bit past the shelter there was a no blaze trail that led to to top of Siler Bald. Well worth the work to get to the top, plus I had the benefit of leaving my pack at the bottom.

Up there I met 13 Rays of Sunshine, a guy from Ft. Lauderdale hiking with his dog. He was enjoying the moment and taking advantage of the scenery meditating 5216 feet up a mountian. He was a neat guy and we leapfrogged a few times, always having a nice exchange. He is apparently doing many mail drops as well, as quality food for him is a priority. I hope to run into him again.

After sitting in a little meddow taking a break I felt the winds changing and knew the sky was going to open. That kicked me into high gear and I busted out the next 3 mikes to the shelter. On the way the trail crossed an old fire tower which provided some exceptional views. The blazes and signage in the area were a bit confusing though I managed to find my way.

After getting into the shelter camping area I set up camp, got some water and settled in. Less than an hour later the rain began. This is the first rain I have really experience on the trail but I know the saying is "No Pain, No Rain, NO Maine." The rain continued through the night and let up for about an hour in the morning but looking at the radar it is going to rain all day and night again before becoming beautiful.  I think I'm gonna take the #FairWeatherHiker method to heart and cozy in, waiting for things to stop before moving on.

Until next update. Much Love to All.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

There are certain days you just know are going to be great. When your day begins with Trail magic in the form of sausage and spanish rice burritos and a beer for Freefall from a guy named Chuck Wagon you know this is going to be one of those days. We lingered a little too long but who can pass up delicious Trail Magic?

The hike was thought to be a fairly easy 4 mile slight uphill and then descent. I don't know if it was the weight of the burrito or the anticipating an easy day but that hike was harder than I ever expected. We arrived late to the Gap and missed the shuttle, no big deal we will hitch. There must be an art of hitching, namely having a lady do it, to ensure a quick pickup. Freefall and I struggled for a bit before a trail angel Peggy picked us up. She was kind and brought us to the Budget Inn.

There we connected with the hikers who were right ahead of us so it was good to see people you started with are not near as far away as you expect. They shipped out and we settled in before heading to Outdoor 76 to get my resupply and grab a beer at their tap room.

Huge thanks to Auto Precision of Naples for sponsoring my resupply box. Carlo the owner is an incredible guy, anytime I have had an issue with my vehicle I know I can count on the guys at auto precision to take good honest care of me and my vehicle. Your support means the world!

We made our way over to the Lazy Hiker Brewing Co for some lunch and beers. This place just opened a little less than a year ago and they put out some amazing beer for being so new. Alex the beer tender took incredible care of us and the guys at Fork in the Road Food Truck put out some banging good food. This stop alone made the trip into Franklin a worthwhile visit.

We ended up spending a little too much time at the brewery since all of our hiking bubble showed up at different times. The pinnacle of the time there was the Giant Jenga game that half way through someone mentioned whoever topped the tower had to buy the next round. Sure enough you can count on the Birthday Boy, Freefall, to topple it. The time at the brewery ended with some passionate slightly intoxicated political discussions that a few of the locals KC and Aaron joined in on. We were finally asked to leave an hour after closing. We were "those people."

KC and Aaron asked the group if they could give us a ride back to the Budget Inn where the night continued in the parking lot or Car Park if you are the Royal Couple. Hiker midnight came and went and actual midnight hit so those staying (Sarah & Isla, and the Brits) at the hostel down the road headed out and we started to settle down. It wasn't 15 minutes later that they were back because they couldn't find their way home. I looked up their hostel and walked them back. When I got back I crashed hard.

The night was fun for a celebration but I was already antsy to get back on the trail. I find I never sleep as good in town so was ready to head out get some miles in and sleep the night through. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

I really hate to do this but I'm way behind on my blog so to help catch up here is the Naples Daily News publishing covering Week 3 & 4 on the Appalachian Trail.

Days and milage are getting longer providing less time to hike but I'm going to work to keep up a steady blog. My posts may begin to combine a few days together. Be sure to follow all my social media pages to get the fullest experience of all that is happening as it happens.

The first 4 miles went by so quickly we were all shocked when we got bottle necked at the water source. If only the whole trail were so easy,  but without the hard work you never get the view from the top. Anyway it was good to have an easy start as we had a pretty intense hike ahead. Just before reaching this difficult stretch on a back road in the middle of the NC mountains we  came across some Trail Magic.

A gentleman had all sorts of fresh fruit, coffee, OJ along with homemade cookies. Come to find out he does this 3 times a week for about 2 months a year during major hiking season over the last 4 years. It's still amazing to me that people will take time (45 minute drive) to help people they don't know. When I asked him he shared with me that he does it out of boredom but I suspect a nagging wife and this is his freedom. Lol.

The hike to the fire tower was basically straight up and a rock scramble but the view from the top made the struggle  worth it. It also marked the 100th mile on the AppalachianTrail, big milestone! As I continued my hike it has occurred to me that I am starting to develop my trail legs. I am moving faster with less pain and recovering more quickly.

When I arrive at camp I discover it is Freefall's 21st birthday. I've heard of him early on the trail and the story about how he fell out of his hammock on the first night which is where he got his name. He's a cool kid who saw the movie WILD and was sparked to hike the AT. He started a little under prepared but which of us didn't?

The hiker bubble that I've been hiking with includes the Royal Couple (Simon and Sarah), Sarah and her dog Isla, Bojangels, Spink and their dogs (Stella and Baxter), Freefall, Charcoal and a few others. It's been nice seeing familiar faces at camp every night. We are all running into Franklin tomorrow for a resupply and to get Freefall his first legal beer.

Tonight ended as many do around the camp fire laughing and talking. It's amazing the community and friendships you build in just a few weeks. As I write this I reflect on the statistics that say 75% of us won't make it, who will it be? I love all these guys and want to see them atop Mt. Katahdin with me. Hopefully we are the top 25% and just happened to find each other early. The fire is smoldering, it's well past hiker midnight. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

Sometimes you just need a day off to get you head back in the game. Today provided that for me. I woke up around 6 and hurriedly packed my camp so I could get down to the hostel when they opened. The last few days they had been booking up and it was a Saturday so I wanted to make sure I got a bunk but more so I wanted to just be able to relax.

Well relax I did from the moment I arrived I sat down with my hiking shoes off and enjoyed the day. As I arrived I crossed paths with Cole, Pantyhose, JT who I met at the camp fire at Tray Mountain, and a few others. They were all leaving on the next shuttles out and I was just happy as a GA peach to be sitting in a rocking chair catching up and relaxing.

As everyone departed I was welcomed in and offered a beverage. Nothing like a hot cup of coffee to warm you up, especially when you don't have it regularly. I settled in and took advantage of their wifi to update my blog. I also met tumbles who I would have packed out of there in an instant. Some of you may have already seen her of you are on my instagram.

I got a shower, laundry done (they even gave you scrubs to where so you could do all of your laundry in one load) and caught up with other hikers. I'm feeling better and better about knowing lots of people, both ahead of me and behind me.

Bob (aka sir packs alot) was the proprietor of Top of GA and a triple crowner. This means he has hike the three key trails in the states. These include the Appalachian, the Pacific Crest and the Continental Divide trails. Someone with this much experience is a guy I wanted to learn from. When greeting those staying at the hostel he always congratulated them for making it past woody gap (site of my first Trail magic) apparently at that location approximately 10% of people drop out if hiking the trail. At Dick's Creek that number increases to 25% and after the smokies nearly half of all people who will not make it to Maine will have given up.

While there so early i relaxed for a bit before catching a shuttle into town for lunch.  There was an All You Can Eat (AYCE) buffet for $8.95 that included a salad bar, veggies, southern fried chicken, mashed taters, beef tip gravy and plain brown gravy, oh of course and dessert. I ate and ate and ate then the first couple I was sitting with left so I moved over with some other hikers and ate some more.

Once done stuffing my face in went back to the hostel and retrieved my resupply box. I have been kicking myself for picking up a few of the supplies I did at Mountain Crossing, specifically a 16oz jar of peanut butter. Really OmPi you are carrying a pound of peanut butter. Absurd. Anyway after bitching and moaning about how much food I had I organized it all into my stuff sack and just relaxed a bit more.

Each night Bob gives a little talk/lesson on successful thru hiking based around his 10 guidelines. All of them were great, most I was familiar with but it is always nice to have a reminder. He also shared some stories about things on the trail that were pretty awesome. One being that Dr. Seuss got his character and story of the grinch from a tomb of a hermit that is on the AT. I'll be sure to post when I pass it.
 
As a whole the time there was nice, the Accommodations were what you would expect from a hiker hostel. Staff was friendly and the entire place was clean (as in by a cleaning person, daily between checkin and checkout.) Breakfast the next day that was included was a nice touch. The biggest values of the hostel however were the shuttle services and Bob himself. Highly recomend staying there!

I left camp fairly early. As a whole my experience at muskrat was just average, so I didn't feel a lot of sentiment about leaving. I wasn't just a bit up the trail that it warmmed up and so I took off my jacket but left on my pant baselayer. Note to self just take all cold weather items off before leaving camp and get to hiking asap in order to warm up.

Jouls caught up with me, she had stayed at the border. Averaging about 20 miles a day, that lady can hike. We had a number of good conversations and hiked along at a steady pace. As we were discussing Trail Magic a gentleman named Luke caught up and hiked with us for a bit. Nice guy around my age from upstate New York.

The day unfolded without a lot of excitement. There was one section where it felt like I was hikeing into a shire. Then I crossed Coleman gap, which reminded me that my cousin Coleman will be coming to hike with me with me within the next month. As midday approached I found myself on top of Standing Indian Mountain so I took a blue blaze trail and found a magical little grassy bald at the top that overlooked a beautiful mountain range. I took a lunch, did some yoga and meditated. It was pretty magical just sitting there hearing the flies, bee's, birds and watching the butterflies. The gentle buzz of nature just set me at peace with the world.

Coming off the mountain I found a bear sanctuary sign, but what interested me was that the tree was consuming it. If this is what the trees do I'd hate to consider what is possible by the bears. Just before entering camp I came across a beautiful stream and just sat there enjoying the flowing water for a bit. I tried to get a recording of the sound but haven't quite nailed that down yet so a photo will have to do.

The day ended like many others with setting up camp and doing camp chores before settling in around a fire for some community. I met Kid and Don who were hiking from Amacolola. Both devout Christian's and Kid had taken a semester off to hike the trail as a form of a mission trip. Nice guys and enjoyable fire conversation.

As I settled into my camp I talked with my Partner and we managed to arrange his first visit which will be over trail days. This is a huge hiker festival in Damascus, VA. I'm really looking forward to seeing him, as the distance has got to be the hardest part for me out here. It is now well past hiker modnight. Tomorrow is a hard day so I must rest. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )

The morning started with muffins and little cakes and coffee at the Top of GA Hostel. Oh and coffee of course. I learned a lesson from another hiker, Luigi, to add hot cocoa powder to the coffee cup in order to make it a mocha and of course add calories. HUMMM... Bullet Proof coffees would probably be amazing for hikers.

Anyway I caught the 8am shuttle up the .5 mile road leaving TOG behind. I think the biggest thing I took from my listening to Bob was to slow down. There was something freeing about being given permission to just take it slow. Early that day I hiked with a few people from the hostel but the one specifically impressed me. Her name is Tink Toes who had until August 8th to finish her trek. 4 months is a short period though entirely doable, hell grandma Gatewood did it in about 4 months and she was 65, I hope she makes it.

My meditation for the day found its inspiration from the trees. I was reflecting on how trees are so grounded and go not just deep but also wide. They are grounded in what feeds them and gives them life. So too must we figure out what nourishes our spirits and commit ourselves to that, diging in deep and spreading out from there taking all that we can from the source.

A huge milestone was reached today when I crossed the GA/NC border. The Appalachian Trail  runs through 14 states and I have managed to hike through the first of them. This was a monumental occasion and cause for a celebration.

While relaxing and enjoying the accomplishment over lunch at the water source just inside NC I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who goes by Jouls. She is of German heritage but has lived in the states for many years. We go to talking food and I discovered she dehydrated much of her own farm raised foods. Come to find our she lives a self-sufficient lifestyle in Northern California on 40 acres, something that is somewhat of a dream of mine. We didn't talk long but she invited me to come visit on our adventure up the costal highway.

North Carolina's welcome was like a huge F-U! Within the first mile and a half we had an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Luckily before the climb there is this amazing tree at Bly Gap thst provided sone beauty to consider on the bitch of a climb. Needless to say when I reached the next camp I was ready to crash. The shelter was nice enough and camping around it very dispersed where everyone had their own spots. I set up and did my camp chores and got situated with a few people around a fire. The night went fairly quickly and before I knew it hiker midnight had come.

Hiking the AT is a microcosm of life. Day to day can be so different, one day you can enjoy every step and the next day you can struggle to find anything that interests you. Some days can feel like a constant uphill struggle but then the next moment you find the struggle shifts to spiraling downhill. Just like home when we see and experience the same things, no matter how awesome or once enjoyable, when we sexperience them so consistently we sometimes lose interest or it no longer impresses us.

Today was a long hard struggle for me. I woke up to find a little hole in my hammock bug net. After rolling into camp late last night I hurriedly set up my camp and kept a small thing of trail mix with me to snack on. A little mouse found it in the night and helped himself, damaging my home for the next 6 months in the process.

 After that I had a hard hike the vistas all started to look the same to me and I realized I was just walking to walk. A few times along the way I reflected back to what other successful thru hikers have told me. They all seem to agree that you have to find something enjoyable each day. Today I struggled for most of the day to find something enjoyable.

I stopped for a late lunch at Deep Gap Shelter. It was a bit off trail but it was beautiful. I was tempted to stay, I understand the privy was clean and hardly used. Nice! There I met AP (accident prone), and 2 guys one from FL that makes at least 10. The three of them all made arrangements to stay at the Holiday Inn express in Hiawassee. I was already feeling down so I may have felt a little excluded though I know it wasn't the intention.

Anyway I rested for a bit and decided to push on to get a little closer to Dick's Creek Gap so my Nero was as close to a Zero as possible. I went ahead and found a camp with Bojangels and his girlfriend and their two dogs Baxter (aka Foghorn, because he barks a lot) and Stella but decided to push a little further because they were still over a mile away. I then crossed paths with 2 guys a little further up but no room for my hammock they told me there was some flat space ahead. I went and bushwacked for a bit trying to arrange a spot then decided to just keep walking and if nothing made itself available I'd just head in to the hostel tonight.

Sure enough just by the road there was a  spot and even better someone had left some Coca-Cola cans next to a tree (more trail magic just when I needed it.) I used the running stream next to the camp to cool the coke down while I set myself up. After getting set I prepped my bear bag line and started a fire. Damn this shitty day has taken a turn. I'm about a half mile from the hostel so I should be one of the first there, my dinner of lime black bean was dip was delicious with my trail grown sprouts on flour tortillas. I have an awesome fire and one of the best camp sites I've yet to enjoy and I was enjoying it all to myself.

The sun set and some cars pulled into the gap parking lot. Out comes a guy with a headlamp and I began thinking that maybe I'm camped too close to the road or that I'm not allowed to have a fire here or something. Come to find out, he was scoping spots for him and his buddies to camp before their section hike this weekend. I told him they were more than welcome and the camp had plenty of space. Little did I know there was about 15 guys and a dog. Lol my peaceful little camp quickly filled with guys setting up gear in the dark, mind you with headlamps and all. It reminded me again that just when you think you are set on level terrain that there is always an adventure ahead.

The guys turned out to be really cool and offered to drop me at the hostel in the am or into town. Very generous! They asked for my blog and said they would like to follow my journey along the way.  Guys, if you are reading this, I hope you had an amazing section hike; I enjoyed the company around the fire and thanks again for the offer. Sorry I was so out of it.

What a day, one with lots of ups and downs both physically and mentally. In the end I found something enjoyable in a little lonely camp that became a hub of great trail community.

OmPi ( ॐ π )