Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Day 7- Lone Wolf

Stealth Camp(59.3) to stealth Camp(75.3) 16 miles

Today was a long hard day. I still can't believe I hiked 16 miles!!! We got a late start this morning. The plan was to hike 11 miles to meet up with Greg at Dicks Creek Gap. I started off hiking pretty slow, it took me a while to warm up, but after 2 miles I was really feeling it. I finally stayed warm over night and managed to get a full nights sleep for the first time in over a week. I woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. 
I felt so good after my 2 mile warm up, that I decided to run for a while. I'm not sure why, other than I just like to run. As a result I way outpaced the group. I made it to Dicks Creek Gap a little before 1:30. That put me at a 10.3 mile day in just under 4 and a half hours. I chatted with Greg for a little bit, then decided to push on. He had to wait for the rest of our little group, so I set out alone knowing I will probably not see them again. Sherpa Twins, Greg, and Weather Man will be missed, but I needed to Hike Your Own Hike(HYOH), which is kind of like a mantra out here. I really enjoyed hiking by myself. I met a lot of new people today. Most of them started a few days before me. I should get in with a new group soon. In another week or two we should all have our "trail legs" and groups will naturally be sorted out by daily mileage. I wish I had more pictures to post, but it's hard to get good shots. I'm always below treeline so I can't get clear views very often. 
Scary moment when I fell down today. Just a little scratch, nothing major, I just wasn't paying attention. 

I've had a couple good questions from friends and family that I'd like to take a second to answer. My niece, Riley, wants to know what I eat. The answer is not enough. I've really been struggling to eat the recommended 3,000 calories per day. I think I'm only getting 1,800-2,000. I can barely keep my pants up, not that it's a bad thing. I had some weight to lose. Most days I start off eating a pop tart and cup of coffee. Then a few hours later I have second breakfast, which is something easy to eat while I walk, like a Cliff bar. For lunch I eat a tortilla with tuna fish. Then I have 2 more snacks during the day, so far that's been trail mix and a honey bun. For dinner I have freezer bag meals, which consist of some type of pasta, rice, or instant mash potatoes with tuna fish or chicken and a cup of hot chocolate. Tonight I had easy Mac and Cheese with Vienna Sausages and bacon bits with Texas Pete hot sauce. I assure you, it tastes much better than it sounds. Today was really hot and I struggled to drink enough water. 
I've also been asked what a stealth campsite is. It's when I camp at a location not marked on the map. Technically it's really just an undesignated  site. All the sites I've been at are other sites people have used. There is always a fire ring and the earth shows signs of people staying there. A true stealth site is usually prestine forest that shows no signs of human camping. I try to follow the Leave No Trace philosophy and only camp where other people have been. Stealth camping just sounds cooler than undesignated. 
Undesignated camp spot 3 miles short of the NC/GA border

It's been a long day so I'm signing off. Please post any other questions. I love hearing from everyone. I think I figured out why my pictures weren't loading. That should be fixed now. 

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. Norman Vincent Peale

27 comments:

  1. That's a lot of miles! Good job.

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    1. Thanks for following my blog. Next time I'm in Arkansas we should go for a hike.

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  2. So very impressed with the start of your journey! Tonight is the first chance I've had to enjoy your journal - it's so cool! I love your morning picture today!
    Arlene

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    1. Thanks for reading. I enjoy seeing the comments from friends and family

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  3. Really enjoy your nightly reports. Makes the journey feel like we are with you almost every step ( except we have A/C and running water ��)

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  4. Take care of the knee--theres a lot of steps left! It looks like my Mom's- -LOL. Hot Sauce--you never leave home without it!! Love ya.

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    1. Got to have hot sauce. It really tops of ramen and tuna or Mac and cheese with bacon bits

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  5. Hope you have a good hike tomorrow! Just found your blog. Staring to get gear of my own for a hike in 2016. Thanks for blogging!!!!

    Question: What made you choose a hammock vs a tent?

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    1. It was an easy decision for me. I don't sleep well on the ground. I toss and turn all night. I find the hammock super comfy. Plus it gives me a nice chair to sit in after a long day.

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  6. Happy to hear the sleeping was better for you. Stay warm at night. A friend of mine was wondering about the jobs of the people you have met that they are able to take time off for several months for the thru-hike.

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    1. The new hammock setup has really worked out well.
      Most people are in a transitional period of their lives. High school to college. College to the real world. Lots of retirees. Others like me, don't have a career and just save up money, knowing they can find work after. There are also a lot of military people that just got out.

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  7. What is hikers trash? I'm thinking just the mixture of people.

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    1. Hiker Trash is what the locals used to call thru-hikers. We use the phrase as a term of endearment. Really just a group of hikers

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  8. I've also been enjoying your journal. I wrote something another day, but it didn't end up showing for some reason. I'm loving your pictures! I'm also happy you got your sleeping situation taken care of. Not many things worse than being cold or wet while camping and not getting any sleep. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It's nice to know people are enjoying reading it

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  9. I love reading about your adventures every morning! Glad you are staying warm now. Hope you continue to sleep better! Keep kicking butt!!
    “Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” –Dumbledore, The Half-Blood Prince

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    1. One of my favorite quotes. Don't worry, I'll be busting out a lot of Harry Potter

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  10. It's Alie by the way, not Kyle. Figured you knew with the Harry Potter quote anyway.

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  11. I read parts of your journal to Amber on the phone while she was traveling. Amber, Aaron and I are super proud of you. Be safe out there and keep going!

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    1. Thanks. Glad to hear you're enjoying it. I'm having fun writing it. It will be nice to have this to look back upon after my journey is complete

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  12. What happened to the updates?

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    1. She is low on battery. Catch up later on blog.

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    2. Sometimes I don't have the best cell service. It might take a few days to get my posts out. Thanks for taking the time to follow my blog.

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  13. Katie, I found your blog through your instagram. I must say, I am developing quite the girl crush! Loe your blog! Take care of your leg and be strong!!

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