Maps for the Appalachian Trail near Springer Mtn., GA

I received a text message from a friend: “My sister and I want to begin a hike at Springer Mountain in mid-July. Do you have maps we can borrow or recommend the best maps?” My maps are in storage in Virginia while I work out in California! Besides, once you step on the Appalachian Trail, …

Countdown

September 17, 2016 9 a.m. 26 miles to go!  Yesterday evening, we reached our goal, the Spruce Peak Shelter. It was a nice shelter, but it was only 5:00 p.m.! There were still two hours of light. We kept going. First, through Devil’s Gulch, a short scramble through huge craggy boulders covered with ferns. I …

Intown Ingenuity

September 12, 2106 I bought a backpack in Waterbury. It’s very cool, emblazoned with “I ♡ 1 Direction” and a photo of the boyband. “Whaaat?” you say! Actually, it’s perfect…….because… It has a zipper! My pouch needs a new zipper, and this backpack has a good one. I can cut it out and use it. …

Slabbing- with Bears

September 7, 2016 The local hiker we met a couple of hours after our 6:43 a.m. start on our first full day of this walk said, “This slabbing makes for quite a walk, doesn’t it?” I was unfamiliar with the term, but realized she was talking about how the trail was carved out of the …