Flashback – AT99 – Apr 12

Watauga Lake Shelter Chilly, 40 deg F, clear. Walked all day with Oreo (the dog I rescued/fed/adopted).  Went through Laurel Fork Gorge – very cool w/ a big waterfall.  Dog and I had a bit of a swim.   After some reroute, today ended up at 16.4 miles.  Hiked all day alone, awesome.  There was…

Flashback – AT99 – April 10

Ended up doing 15.1 today due to a 1998 reroute.   The problem with using a 1997 book.  Did the “Roan Groan”, 2.3 miles and 2300 feet of pure constant up.   Pigpen did it with me, and man can that little 10 year old kid hike.   Rolled in and Pete Iossi was here…

Flashback – AT99 – April 5

A.M. Well, lame.  The combination of daylight savings time and Sheltowee being an insensitive jerk kept him, Hosehead and Little Engine up and giggling until 10pm or so last night.   At 9:30 I grabbed my stuff and went off behind the shelter & flopped down.  Now the sleeping bag is soaked with dew.  …

Flashback – AT99 – March 30

Me: 1, Smokies: 0 Made it down to Davenport Gap at a run and pushed onto the tiny 6-house village.  Ate a burger and some ice cream at “Mountain Mama’s Kuntry Kitchen” (sic).  Very odd little backwater place.   I filled up the whole fuel bottle for $1 and got some groceries to get me…

Flashback – AT99 – March 28

Icewater Spring. Hiked all day in wet socks and boots.   Yuck.   Came up over Clingman’s Dome today – nice.  Also, passed the 200 mile mark, and will break the 10% (216 mile) mark tomorrow. Today was nice, I hiked solo most of the day.   Got to Newfound Gap, where US 441 goes…