I Got Justice on Justus

Today was glorious! The weather was beautiful,  in the 70's. The trail was nearly perfect, with few rocks and roots to grab your feet. There were some interesting rock formations,  some too high for my short legs to step up on. That's when you have to sit down and boot scoot hahaha.

Justus Creek was a welcome sight. We took a pack off break and had a snack there. Met a great guy on the way named Cap. We hiked together for awhile and took a couple of "breathing" breaks together on the uphills.

Stopped for lunch at Gooch Mt. shelter. A couple came in soon after. The guy had green hair. I told him his trail name should be Shamrock. He liked it and thought he'd keep it. Yay! I gave out my first trail name!

Speaking of trail names, we've been having a lot of discussion about them. We wanted to rename Tinker,  Star, because she's a big ball of gas. But she didn't go for it. Sammie was Legs but she thought it was too sexual. She's decided she wants to be Hashtag because she's constantly saying "hashtag" like the Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake skit. These are the deep,  meaningful things we talk about out here.

We still had enough energy to hike after lunch and decided to go further. We stopped for the night at Gooch Gap.

The first few days

I was picked up by my friends Jules and Dennice at the Atlanta airport and we drove to the trail after a great lunch in Dahlonega. We went to weigh my pack and register at the Ranger station at Amicalola first. Pack weighed 27 lbs.  Not too bad! I was number 985 in the register. I actually cried when I signed in. Finally fulfilling my dream.

They dropped me off at the parking lot below the summit of Springer. As I was walking up, tears were flowing. All of the Merry Misfits were already there except for Sammie who arrived with Frank right before dark. We all hit it off immediately.

Anna hit the trail earlier than the rest of us and a woman named Heather walked up and asked if I was one of the Misfits. I hate that it was that obvious. She wanted to join our group. No problem!

We finally got going late morning and it took us 2 hours to get down Springer as we were helping Bryan learn the ropes. We only made it to Stover Creek shelter but no problem. We had talked to the ridge runner who told us about a storm coming in around midnight and 100% chance of rain the next day. We decided to experience the shelter so we wouldn't be soaked and have to pack in the rain.

The rain started early and lasted well into the following night. During the next day of hiking in the pouring cold rain our little group got separated. We stopped at Long Creek falls for lunch. We ran into Jenba and Mancub. Cool to see a festie on the trail! We were all hiking different paces after lunch based on our degree of freezingness. We had discussed several options for camping but nothing definite. The others had gotten ahead of me. I ran into Tinker on the road to the Hickory Flats Cemetery. She didn't know where the others were. We decided to go ahead to the next shelter which was about 2 more miles. All we wanted was to be warm and dry. When we got to the shelter at Hawk Mt. Anna (now Meadowlark) was there. The shelter was full but I guess we looked so pathetic, a couple of young men let us have their spots. Small world - my guy used to live on Anna Maria and worked at the Sandbar! Thanks Pig Pen!

Anna was up and gone at the break of dawn. I was ready to go at 10:30 but Tinker wasn't so I left alone. We had a 6 mile stretch that had no water which was very concerning. I took many long breaks hoping someone would catch up. Through the trail grapevine I learned that the group had stayed at the cemetery Pavilion.

At Horse Gap I met some guys and we discussed the water situation. There was no solution but to keep hiking. Sassafras Mt. was next. I had heard of its  nickname, Sassafras Kick Your Ass.  It lived up to its reputation.  About halfway up I was feeling almost panicky about water.  I only had about a half liter left with a long way to go. I rounded a corner and there was a nice little trickle coming down the rocks!!! The flow was enough to hold my bottle under. I don't think I'll ever take water for granted again. While I was treating and drinking Tinker showed up. This was REAL trail magic! I was so happy to see her.

We struggled up Sassafras FOREVER and then headed down to Cooper Gap. My left knee was causing me to wince almost every step down. I thought of all the advice I've gotten, some of it opposing like "push through the pain" vs. "don't push too hard". I thought about how many hikers I know who have already gone home with injuries and I didn't want to be the next. I told Tinker that I was going to town the next day or take an on trail zero. But we still had the water problem so we decided to see about town.

We were setting up camp in Cooper Gap and this sweet little lady drove up in a big black Suburban. She was offering snacks. I asked if she knew about shuttles in the area and told her about my knee. She said she'd be back the next morning to pick us up! They call her The Cookie Lady.

She came as promised and gave us the grand tour and history of Dahlonega. We decided on a place to stay and she took us to several places to get things Tinker needed.

As if this trail couldn't get any weirder, she ended up finding Sammie (now Legs) and Jennifer (Milkshake) at the same spot! She offered then a ride a told them about us. They accepted the offer and we are reunited.  :)

Trail Jargon

The following is a list of slang or jargon commonly used on the AT.  I will use this language in my blog.

2000 Miler is a person who has hiked the entire distance between termini of the official (white-blazed) A.T., either by thru-hiking or section hiking.

Alcohol Stove A stove that runs on denatured alcohol or HEET.

AT the abbreviation for the Appalachian Trail

AYCE 'All You Can Eat' Restaurants that offer all you can eat buffets are very popular with hungry hikers.

Bald A low elevation mountain surrounded by forest yet devoid of trees on the crown. typically covered with meadows, balds can offer great views and are a good place to find wild berries, they also attract much wildlife. A southern term.

Bear Bag The bag used by hikers to hang their food out of reach of bears and other critters, see 'Food Bag.'

Bear Cable A permanent cable rigged high between two tree specifically for hanging bear bags.

Blackflies There are about 40 species of these tiny biting insects that breed in running water and flourish in late May and June in Maine. 

Blazes are painted, 2-inch by 6-inch, vertical white rectangles that are placed at eye height on trees and other objects, in both directions, to mark the official route of the Trail. Side trails are marked with blue blazes. You see horizontal, diagonal, arrows, and other blazes along the Trail.

Blaze orange A very bright, visible in low light, hue of orange. The color to wear during hunting season.

Blow-down is a tree or shrub that has fallen across the Trail. Maintainer have dozens of words to describe each kind of fallen tree.

Blue blaze Spur trails off the AT to bad-weather routes, views, shelters, water sources etc are often marked by AT style blazes painted Blue.

Blue-blazer is a long-distance hiker who substitutes a section of blue-blazed trail for a white-blazed section between two points on the Trail.

Bog bridge Narrow wooden walkway placed to protect sensitive wetlands.

Bounce box a mail-drop type box containing seldom used necessities that is 'bounced' ahead to a town where you think you might need the contents.

Bushwhack to hike where there is no marked trail.

Cache (pronounced cash) is a supply of food and/or supplies hidden for later retrieval.

Cairn A obviously man-made pile of rocks erected as a trail marker. Chiefly used above timberline. Should be close enough to see the next one in heavy fog, and high enough to see above fallen snow.

Camel up or Tank up drink a your fill of water at the source until you're filled up then hike on

Canister Stove The type of small backpacking stove that uses metal cans of fuel. 

Caretaker The person who maintains and collects fees at certain shelters and campsites.

Cat Hole A small hole dug by a hiker for the deposit of human waste.

Cowboy camping is where one camps without any shelter - just spread one's pad and bag out under the stars and putting one's faith in their opinion about the weather staying dry.

Croo are the crew of caretakers who man the Appalachian Mountain Club Huts. For the most part, the summer Croo will be college students.

Dead Fall: A maintainer's term for a fallen dead trees across the trail. 

DEET A powerful insect repellent.

Double blaze Two blazes, one above the other as an indication of an imminent turn or intersection in the trail. Offset double blazes, called Garveys, indicate the direction of the turn by the offset of the top blaze.

Dodgeways are V-shaped stiles through fences, used where the Trail passes through livestock enclosures.

Duct Tape A wide, heavy duty, and multi-purpose tape used by hikers for everything from covering blisters to repairing gear.

FBC or freezer bag cooking.  A common method of cooking in which zip-loc freezer bags full of dehydrated food are rehydrated with boiling water.  This method uses less fuel.

Flip-flop a term used to signify a hiker that starts hiking in one direction then at some point decides to jump ahead and hike back in the opposite direction. Some hikers on the AT will start hiking northbound from Springer Mt. and usually at Harpers Ferry they may decide to go to Katahdin and hike back down to Harpers Ferry, thus completing their thru-hike. This is a good way for someone to still get their hike completed if they are behind and their time is limited due to the oncoming winter.

Food Bag a bag a hiker carries in their pack specifically for keeping all their food in. It is typically suspended from a tree at night so bears and varmints don't get into it. Also called Bear Bag.

GAME or GAMEr A hike or hiker going from Georgia to Maine.

Gap A southern term for a low spot along a ridge line, called a col by northern individuals. 

Gear head is a hiker whose main focus is backpacking and outdoors gear.

Giardia more properly known as giardasis, an infection of the lower intestines cause by the amoebic cyst, Giardia lamblia. Giardia resides in water so it is wise to always chemically treat or filter your water before drinking. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite and vomiting. Also know as, a backpacker’s worst nightmare.

GORP good ole raisins & peanuts, or some other variation thereof.

Gray Water (Dirty dishwater.) Some campsites will have designated spots to dump your gray water. Such designated spots may be provided with a strainer so that you can remove your food particles from the gray water and pack those out.

Harpers Ferry The ATC's National Headquarters and Information Center is located in Harpers Ferry WV, about 1000 AT miles north of Springer Mountain. A short blue blazed trail leads to HQ, where AT hikers traditionally sign the register and have their photo taken.

Headlamp A small flashlight attached to a band or strap and worn on the head in order to keep hands free.

HEET Material used during the winter in automotive gas tanks, it is used in substitution of denatured alcohol as it burns cleaner.

Hiker Box A cabinet or box at hostels where hikers donate unwanted food for the hikers coming behind them.

Hammock A sleeping system that combines a tent and sleeping bag, hung between two trees.

Hostel An establishment along the trail that has bunks, showers, and sometimes cooking and maildrops, for AT hikers.

Hydration System An 'improvement' on drinking out of a bottle, consists of a plastic bladder, hose, and mouth piece/valve that allows hands free drinking. 

HYOH Hike your own hike, and not imitate someone else's.

Hypothermia Potentially fatal condition caused by insufficient heat and a drop in the body's core temperature. Classic symptoms are call the 'umbles', as the victim stumbles, grumbles, mumbles, and fumbles with confused thoughts. 

Katahdin The AT's northern terminus is at Baxter Peak on Maine's Katahdin. Katahdin is a Penobscot Indian word meaning Greatest Mountain.

Knob A prominent rounded hill or mountain. A southern term.

Lean-to is another word for a three sided open shelter, used primarily in New England.

Leki a brand of hiking staff resembling a ski pole, common name for all poles made by the other brands.

Long-distance hiker is a somewhat indeterminate term applied to anyone who is hiking more than a few weeks, and who usually has to resupply at least once during his or her hike; often used interchangeably with the term thru-hiker. At Baxter State Park, a LDH is someone who has hiked in from 100 or more miles south.

LNT means 'Leave No Trace', a philosophy and skill used to pass as lightly as possible when backpacking.

Lyme Disease A debilitating illness carried by small ticks.

Long Trail Vermont's Long Trail runs from the Massachusetts to Canadian border, the southern third in conjunction with the AT. http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=2

MacGyver After an old TV show where the hero would construct useful devices out of common materials. To hikers it means to build or repair gear with imagination.

Benton MacKaye (rhymes with high, not hay) is the man who in 1921 proposed an Appalachian Trail as the connecting thread of a 'project in regional planning." MacKaye envisioned a trail along the ridgecrests of the Appalachian Mountain chain from New England to the Deep South, connecting farms, work camps, and study camps that would be populated by eastern urbanites needing a break from the tensions of industrialization.

Mail Drop Mail drops are a method of re-supply while hiking. A mail drop is usually made ahead of time, before the hike starts, and a person not hiking (usually a spouse or relative, but it can be a friend) mails the package according to a pre-arranged schedule so that it arrives on time for the hiker to receive it at the post office.

Maintainer is a volunteer who participates in the organized Trail-maintenance programs of the ATC and its member clubs.

MEGA or ME-GA A hike or hiker going from Maine to Georgia.

Mouse hanger The cord with can contraption used to discourage mice from entering a pack when hung in a shelter.

Nalgene Referred to drinking bottle as that is what bottles are usually made of

National scenic trail is the official designation for one type of trail protected by the National Scenic Trails System Act of 1968.

Nero Almost a Zero ...in other words, a very short mileage day.

NOBO Northbound thru-hiker, also a GAMEr (Georgia > Maine)

NOC the Nantahala Outdoor Center. A lot of folks make the mistake of referring to Wesser, NC as "NOC." 

NPS is the abbreviation for National Park Service.

Pink blazing term used when a male is following a particular female on the trail.

Pot Cozy A foam or cloth wrap to keep a cooking pot warm while it finishes cooking.

Posthole to hike in deep snow without snowshoes or skis, leaving large holes in the trail. Postholing is considered bad form and makes subsequent snowshoeing or skiing unpleasant and hazardous.

Power hiker is a hiker who habitually chooses to cover very long distances each day, often hiking late into the evening.

Privy a trailside outhouse for solid waste. You shouldn't pee in the privy.

PUDS is thru-hiker shorthand for "pointless ups and downs", referring to the less interesting sections of mountains thru-hikers encounter from time to time; several PUDS in a row are MUDS, which is shorthand for "mindless ups and downs".

Purist 1. A hiker who wants to pass every white blaze on the trail. 2. A hiker who wants others to pass every white blaze on the trail.

Register A log book normally found at a trail shelter or a trail head. The original intent was for hikers to sign in so a searcher needing to find a lost hiker could tell where they last were.

Relo A section of trail recently relocated.

Ridge Runner A person paid by a trail-maintaining club or governmental organization to hike back and forth along a certain section of trail to educate hikers, enforce regulations, monitor trail and campsite use, and sometimes perform trail maintenance or construction duties. Such persons are most often found in high-use areas of the trail.

Rime ice White super-cooled water droplets that stick to surfaces and freeze into the direction of the wind.

Section hiker is a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-Miler by doing a series of section hikes over a period of time.

Shaffer, Earl Earl Shaffer 1918-2002 "The Crazy One," the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Poet, WW2 veteran, author of 'Walking With Spring,' and 'The Appalachian Trail, Calling Me Back To The Hills,' and three time thru-hiker, northbound in 1948, southbound in 1965, and northbound again at age 79, 50 years after his first hike. http://www.earlshaffer.com/

Shelter A three sided wooden or stone building, spaced out a half day's hike apart, near a water source, and with a privy. The AT has many kinds of shelters, from barns to cabins.

Shuttle A ride from town to trailhead, usually for a fee.

Skunked Failing to get a car to stop when hitch hiking.

Slackpacking is a hiking term coined in 1980 to describe an unhurried and non-goal-oriented manner of long-distance hiking (i.e., slack: "not taut or tense, loose"), but in recent years has been used to refer simply to thru-hiking without a backpack. Recently called "Freedom Packing".

SOBO Southbound thru-hiker, also a MEGA (Maine > Georgia)

Springer Mountain's summit is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Springer fever is the almost uncontrollable urge to be back on the Trail that hits thru-hikers of past years each spring.

Stealth a manner of camping where there is no indication that you are there, and no trace of your being there is left when you've left. Sometimes used as a term for camping illegally on public or private land.

Stile Steps constructed over a fence to allow people, but not livestock, to pass.

Switch Back: A turn that takes the hiker 180 degrees in the oposite direction. This trail construction technique is primarily used south of New England on the AT.

Tarp a simple tent with no floor or door.

"Ten essentials" Short lists of 10 or 12 items thought necessary to be carried by day hikers in their pack. One example of such a list: Map, Compass, Water and a way to purify it, Extra food, Rain gear/extra clothing, Fire starter and matches, First aid kit, Army Knife/multi purpose tool, flashlight with extra batteries/bulbs, sun screen/sun glasses.

Tent Pad/Platform At some camping sites, tenting is restricted to built up earthen 'pads' or wooden 'platforms' to ease impact on the area.

Thru-hiker is traditionally a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-Miler in a single, continuous journey leaving from one terminus of the Trail, and backpacking to the other terminus.

Ticks Small parasitic insects that can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses. Photo of the tick and the 'bullseye' rash from Lyme Net: http://www.lymenet.org/pictures.shtml More on Lyme from the ATC website: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/plan/health.html#8

Tin can stove as referred to as an Alcohol stove

Trail Angel Someone who provides unexpected help or food to a hiker.

Trail Candy term for good looking man or woman

Trailhead Where the trail leaves a road crossing or parking lot.

Trail Magic Unexpected, but welcome, help or food.

Trail Name A nickname adopted by or given to a hiker.

Trail Runners Light weight sneaker style hiking shoes.

Treadway The trail beneath a hiker's boots, constructed for that purpose.

Treeline The point of elevation on a mountain above which the climate will no longer support tree growth.

Switchback a method of building a trail that forms a zig-zag of trails up a mountain. The strategy is to prevent erosion and to make the climb easier. Switchbacks are not made to be short cutted although some people do, which damages trail. Switchbacks are often appreciated by hikers.

Thru-hiking is the act of attempting to become a 2,000-Miler in a single, continuous journey.

Ultra light A style of gear or hiking that focuses on using the lightest gear possible.

USFS is the abbreviation for United States Forest Service.

Vitamin I Ibuprofin an over the counter anti-inflammatory drug that many hikers use while backpacking.

Volunteer is a person who works for the ATC, one of the local A.T. clubs, or other organizations without pay, usually a maintainer, but not necessarily so.

Waterbar is a log or rock barrier that diverts water off the Trail to prevent erosion.

The Whites The White Mountains of New Hampshire, 

Whiteblazer A term from the Appalachian Trail to describe a person hiking pure (see purist), that is, hiking past every white blaze - which are the standard trail markers on the AT. 

Widowmaker  limbs or whole trees themselves that have partially fallen but remain hung up overhead and so pose a danger to a person below.

Wilderness Area An official designation for public lands set aside to be protected from humans.

Work for stay Some hostels, the AMC Huts in the Whites, and a few other places along the AT allow some hikers to work in stead of paying the fee for lodging.

Yellow blazes Term used to denote the yellow center-line that is painted on a highway

Yellow blazer Someone who hitch hikes around sections of trail by following yellow blazes.

Yogi-ing is the good-natured art of "letting" food be offered cheerfully by strangers without actually asking them directly (If you ask, it's begging!).

YMMV 'Your Mileage May Vary', hiker jargon for 'this worked for me, but your results/opinions might not be the same.'

Yo-yo-ing is the act of completing one A.T. thru-hike, then immediately turning around to begin another in the opposite direction.

Yurt A round semi-permanent structure, tent like in form.

Z Rest A closed cell sleeping pad that folds into a rectangular block, rather than rolling up.

Zero day is a day in which no miles are hiked, usually because the hiker is stopping in a town to resupply and/or rest.

Thoughts before I leave

Today I am filled with anxiety and worry.  My shoulder is not healed completely and sometimes it is really painful.  I'm not sure how it will react to carrying a heavy pack all day, up and down mountains.  I have not been able to train with it.  My physical therapist wanted me to let it completely heal before I tried to train with it.  Well, obviously that's not going to happen now.  It is what it is.  I'm going in 2 days with an unhealed shoulder.  I keep hoping that sleeping in my hammock is going to help it.  I don't know if that's denial or just wishful thinking.  All I can do is give this thing my best shot.  That's all any of us can ask of ourselves.

Almost all of the hikers I've been following online are off the trail due to injuries.  Most of them have knee or foot injuries.  That is such a fear - that I will fall and end my hike.  All of them have strongly suggested starting VERY slow which I plan to do.  I don't think my body will allow me to do anything other than VERY slow anyway!  I have to remember that trying to stay with a faster hiker's pace will only hurt me in the long run.

Tonight is my going away party with my family.  My sister-in-law and brother are having my family over to their house to say goodbye and spend time together.  Bittersweet for me as I start the dream journey of a lifetime, but already feeling the pain of missing the ones I love so much.

I am worried about my Mom as she is facing some health issues.  My Mom and I are very close and usually help each other through tough times.  She will have to face this one without me and I feel guilty about that.  I hope and pray that it turns into something minor for her and that the rest of my family will step up to help with whatever she needs.

I am so thankful and grateful to my family and friends for the support I've received.  Amanda asked for financial help for us to change my phone plan to Verizon so that I will be able to use my phone.  T-mobile was useless in the mountains, but Verizon had coverage everywhere.  Many in my family and some of my friends helped with this expense.  It's so expensive to change plans mid-stream!

Gear-wise, I feel prepared.  I am happy with my gear choices overall.  I am carrying some items that some ultralight hikers would deem unnecessary weight.  I know there are some things I could leave at home and I may end up deciding to send them home at Neel Gap.  We'll see.

I am excited to meet my hiking group I've dubbed the Merry Misfits, since some of us have some pretty serious physical and health challenges to contend with.  They are all supportive and sincere and I'm hoping that we will be as compatible in person as we seem online.

So I just needed to get some of this off my chest since it's all heavy on my mind.  This will most likely be my last post before I set off on my grand adventure.  Next time you hear from me will be when I have a signal, which on T-mobile could be awhile!  My Verizon plan won't start for a couple of weeks.

My plans for this blog are to share the good, bad, and the ugly.  I am not going to sugar-coat my experience so if you want to read about just sunshine and rainbows then this is not the AT blog for you.  I've read too many of those.  I want mine to reflect my real experience as much as possible.  Sorry, Mom!  :)

The mountains are calling and I must go.

John Muir

Mount Katahdin - Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail