Well we obviously didnt make it to neels gap. After climbing Ramrock mnt then Big Cedar mnt and then Burnett field mnt, we just didnt have it in us. Snow is foorecasted and it is already getting cold. Thankfully I had some dry clothes to change into, the rest are hanging on the clothline. 12 people staying here tonight, and then tommorrow we climb the highest mnt in GA... Blood mnt! Hopefully it wont live up to its name! It actually stopped raining at 9:20 when we left Gooch, but it pretty muuch rained on us the rest of the way. I did get to use my umbrella today & it worked great! Yeah. well I am being called Inspector Gadget due to all the gizmos I have,.but Shephard still rules. Well thxs for the prayers. Signing off for now.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Three Amigos.jpg
Well since it was a bad day for pictures, I will tell u about some of the people I have met. In this picture is Scott, Bob, & Ralph from GA. They we excellent trail chefs! They had Chxn & gravy with stuffing, and even whipped up a blueberry cake! It was awesome. Scott even gave me some parting gifts...a cozy for my cooking pot & a mouse repellent made with peppermint oil. Will let u know if it works. Thanks again Scott (We didnt make it to Neels). They were just out for a couple days. Again, they were a great bunch of guys.
Woodys Gap.jpg
1st public toilets in 3 days. At Woodys Gap. drizzle...trails muddy. Doing well. thx for prayers. Very foggy.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Shephard.jpg
Just lost 2 games of cribbage to Mary Poppins, who has everything in her pack. Ruby gave me my trail name today after giving my salvation story. He named me Shephard. So from now on that is my name for the AT. For u sun lovers...sunny all day and 70 degrees. Storm coming tonight...yikes. Time for dinner.
Gooch Mtn shelter.jpg
Made it to Gooch Mnt shelter. 15.1 miles from Springer, and only 2161.1 miles to Katahdin. Hiked with Ruby Tuesday today. His hiking pole broke today. He plans to get a new one at Neels gap. Sassafras mnt was a killer. Getting a hot spot on my foot. Also summitted Justis & Gooch mnts.
Day two break.jpg
Stopping for a break. Hiking with Ruby Tuesday. He broke his hiking pole already..not good. Thankfully Neel's gap is only 2 days away. About to climb Sassafras mnt. Doing well...no blisters yet.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hawk mountain shelter.jpg
Home for the night. No bears seen. Beautiful day to hike. Should be crowded tonight at the shelter. 7.8 miles from Springer.
Long creek falls.jpg
took a side trail to long creek falls. did devotions here...read psalm 8. Very peaceful. only seen one person.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Springer mountain.jpg
Amee & I at the summit of Springer. We decided to hike to the top today, so Amee could leave first thing in the morning to get back to IN. The trail was a river of water from rain this morning. The view from the top was breath taking! Signed the register & took some pics. Me at the 1st white blaze and plaque. Amee is glad she isnt hiking the trail! lol I on the other hand can't wait! Will enjoy this last night of comfort.
Approach to Springer.jpg
Amee & I hiking the 0.9 miles to summit of Springer mountain. Amee didnt realize she would be hiking to the top! It was an adventure getting here from IN, but we made it.
Road Trip!!
Well the day finally arrived! One more day to go! I am back into my normal sleeping habits...woke up to my alarm clock at 5:15 am...still way too early!
I was getting very nervous yesterday because it took about 2 hours to pack my backpack...and it is filled to the brim! 2 hours is way to long to pack you backpack, but I am much more confident today. It only took me 17 mins and 30 secs to pack it today. Yeah!! It is still busting at the seems, but I am sure I have probably packed to much stuff!
We plan to start driving at 7 am...and God decided to give us a wintery send-off! Thankfully as we head south it will just turn into rain! The weather forecast calls for rain today in Georgia...my prayers go out for those thru-hikers starting today. What a way to kick off the trip...but it isnt like we will never see rain! The weather forecast for Wednesday, when I start the trail, is sunny and NO rain! High 61...low of 33. Looks like 60's the rest of the week too! Yeah!
Amicalola Falls State Park is the destination today. It is just north of Atlanta on the map below. We will actually spend the night in Elijay, just outside the park. Lord willing, it should only take us 8 hours to get there. If there is enough daylight left, we plan to try to find the 2 mile approach trail that will lead us to the top of Springer Mountain!
Again, thank you all for your prayers for Amee and I. We greatly appreciate it! I will miss you all. I have lots of time on my hands now, so feel free to text me any prayer requests you would want me to pray about to 589-8220. Also, if Amee has any wild parties or seems like she is enjoying herself to much without me...text me as well! lol. Just kidding!
Well it is time for me to shave for the last time for the next 5 months and eat my last bowl of cereal for a while. Or should i eat a poptart to get me in the mood! lol.
Again, i will either be texting updates under "Jeremiah's AT Hike Update", which is in the right hand column, or be sending pictures from the trail in the left hand column! This is for you mom...so you know where I am! Don't worry, I will be fine! Love you!
God bless!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Insomnia
AHHHH! Only 2 more days left.
Today I woke up at 4:50 am ON MY DAY OFF!! That has never happened! I am definetly not a morning person at all, but I hope I become one on the trail! Well once I woke up, my mind kicked into high gear thinking of all the things I need to get done today! Why is it that when ever you pack for a big vacation, you always know that you will forget something....no matter how organized you are! I just hope it isnt something I desperately need!
I do have my insurance card (a tip from my co-worker!) just in case I get mauled by a black bear...which my co-workers are sure will happen! And if anyone knows my love of trying to pet any animal...they could be right! lol.
Also I have been thinking of all the love and kindness my fellow co-workers showed to me on my last weekend of work! The threw me a carry-in on BOTH of my last 2 days of work! I think they were trying to fatten me up as much as possible before I leave! Thank you... Lois, Marilyn, Donia, Mallory, Jessica & Monette!
Marilyn and Tracy even came in on their day off to say good-bye and bring me more essentials for the trail...poptarts, twizzlers, blister treatments, beef jerky, snickers, ect..! Thank you... Lois, Marilyn and Tracy!
Marilyn, who is a AT section hiker, also brought in a 3 foot map of the AT and posted it on the unit, so they can keep track of me on my adventures! What awesome co-workers I have been bless to work with. I will miss you guys!
I have been thinking of some of my goals as well. Here are just a few:
1. Make it through my first night on the trail!
2. Make it through the first week on the trail!
3. Break down the "wall" in Virginia (the longest part of the trail!)
4. Hike the beautiful White mountains of New Hampshire!
5. Summit Mount Katahdin!
6. Daily devotions and bible readings
7. Memorize as many of the psalms as possible
8. Journal daily
9. Avoid getting Giardiasis - a nasty diarrheal illness
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Trail Humor - Pt. 2
Yes, that is right...three more days! Things have been a whirlwind around the Redden home. Between finishing my last few days at work for a while and getting everything packed and ready for Amee when I leave, I cannot believe it is soooo close!
Well I thought I would post one last story by George Steffanos. His stories on his '83 thru-hike are amazing. He is a very talented writer. Anyway, this story is in the style of General George Patton. Enjoy....
When I stopped at Punchbowl Shelter for lunch, four backpackers were already settled in for the night. I walked over to the first one and asked, "How far did you come today, son?"
"Forty-five miles, sir!" he replied in a strong, clear voice.
I told him to keep up the good work and moved over to the second hiker. I asked him the same question, and he shot back, "Thirty miles, sir, but both of my ankles are sprained!"
I told him I was proud to be hiking with men like him, and vigorously shook his hand.
The third hiker's reply was a sickly, but firm, "Twenty miles on a broken leg, sir."
I was overcome. I knelt down, said a little prayer for the lad, and kissed his forehead.
Then, I walked over to the fourth hiker.
"I've been here at this shelter for six days," he sobbed. "I just can't seem to shake off this depression. Virginia is too much for me. It's all the same. I can't stand it! Everything is all the same! I can't take it any more!"
I grabbed the yellow coward by his collar and yanked him to his feet. "You no-good, lousy, stinking coward!" I screamed. "You don't belong here in this shelter with these fine men! Get out! Get back out on that trail, and I hope you fall off a cliff! You make me PUKE!!"
He ran out blubbering into the forest, quivering like a leaf. I know that Ike is going to give me heck for this, but, then, the AT is heck. I love it, though.
--General George Steffanos
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