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July 02 2001

Distance Traveled: 9.6 (+1.1 in side trails)     Total Miles: 108.8 (114.1)

Location: .6 miles down Jarrad Gap Trail.

Entry:

I got up early this morning and was on the trail by 0730. The four miles went by quickly as I passed a couple of camps still getting up. The 1st had multiple tents and even a tarp set up. The next was near Spring Top and all I saw was a man and a boy doing dishes. 

I arrived at Walasi-Yi at 0930 where I immediately got a sandwich and a coke. Then I did some laundry and got a HOT shower. As I waited, Jim and Craig from Florida showed up. They had gotten a picture of a bear! I was envious (note, the picture never came out, too dark). Apparently it was on the trail to the shelter they were staying at last night.

While waiting for Helen, I trimmed about 1 pound off my pack weight, and figured out how to loose another 6 pounds with gear purchases or making some of my own gear. This would get my base weight down around 14 pounds, still heavier than I would like, but a step in the right direction.

By the time Helen showed up, I had eaten a sandwich, a 1/2 pint of ice cream, and 3 cokes. When she arrived, we quickly moved down to the parking area where I went through my re-supply box and loaded up.

We took the approach trail from the parking spot which was about .5 miles more than the actual AT and then went up Blood Mountain. I had heard horror stories about that part of the AT, but I found it to be a nice climb, if only a little rocky in places. I would say Albert Mountain is harder.

Anyway, after coming off Blood Mountain we continued on, stopping occasionally, but eventually making it to Jarrad Gap where I saw another doe. Jarrad Gap had some camp sites, but it had fire restrictions and lots of muddy ground and only a small spring. So we headed down Jarrad Gap Trail about .6 miles until we found this site.

As soon as we got the hammocks up, the rain started, so we cooked and ate under them until the rain stopped. Dinner was fresh steak, fresh peppers, and bagget. An  8oz stake takes .5oz fuel to cook to medium rare. Another first for my stove this hike. Then we bathed and washed dishes then went to bed early.

I'm glad Helen is here, it has greatly improved my hike.

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