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June 25 2002

Distance Traveled: 7.4    Total Miles: 24.7

Location: Athens/Big Fork Trail beside the Straight Creek.

Entry:

Today was another late start. I was up at 0650 and ready to go by 0740 even taking it slow this morning. The Gearskin is so easy to pack, and the Snakeskins make the Hennessy Hammock go up and down fast. But the kids were a bear to get going, especially Matthew who didn't want to eat again this morning (or last night). This morning I had to force him to eat anything, all I finally managed to get into him was a breakfast bar and a candy bar. He must be the only kid in the world you would have to make eat a candy bar.

Finally at 0940 we left, with me carrying Matt's hammock and his sleeping bag this time. Even though I'm eating, my pack keeps getting heavier! I try to tell him if he would eat, his pack would get lighter and his energy level to carry it would go up, but he isn't listening. I stayed with Matt, motivating him to make it up the first mountain where we enjoyed the Eagle Rock Vista as a reward for the climb. The trail was steep and difficult, like some parts of the Appalachian trail, only not as long a pull.

At the campsite there where I had originally wanted to stay last night, someone had left shorts, underwear, socks, deodorant, a canteen, and two flashlights with spare batteries. It looks like they may have been there a couple of days, but they were stacked neatly, so we left them in case the owner was returning for them. Besides, who wants a big mag lights, D-cell batteries, deodorant, and cotton clothing while hiking?

After Karen and Donald finally made it up to the top, I tried to adjust her load better, then we pushed on. Karen and Donald met us at a creek and brought up the idea of continuing on to the Jeep today and staying there tonight. Matt and I were a little more realistic and didn't figure it would happen given our pace today, but we didn't say no to them. I tanked up here on 4 liters of water because of a long dry stretch ahead, now I'm carrying about 35 pounds. My pack weight is still going in the wrong direction.

So we pushed on to the next mountain which was another Appalachian trail like experience (only a shorter pull), to the top of Brush Heap Mountain. There was supposed to be a side trail, but the top was so overgrown it wasn't there anymore. We looked for a nice spot to eat, but the vines and brush were so bad, we ended up setting right on the trail itself.

Something I should mention is that the trees started looking very sick or dead when we got at higher altitudes. I assume that so many species are affected, that the root cause must be acid rain. Although they may actually be dying from blight, insects, or whatever, the acid rain problem must be reducing the trees' resistance. It is sad to see the mountain tops with all these poor looking trees and the ground choked by briars and brush taking advantage of it.

Matt was so worn out. I knew he was starving himself again since he had not had a good breakfast and wasn't snacking at all. So I made him cook and eat right there. After lunch, he tried to nap for about 30 minutes. Karen has been slow going up the mountains, and today she started feeling the heat a little but kept going. As for me, my hiker hunger has started to kick in. I ate 550 calories at breakfast, 950 at lunch, 1000+ at dinner, plus about 550 or so in snacks today, and I'm still hungry. Imagine if I were putting in some real miles.

We finally pushed on to get to camp. We crossed a couple of more mountains and took a break waiting for Karen and Donald. After an hour I went back looking for them and found Karen pack-less and alone sitting on the trail. She told me she was getting sick, so Donald took her pack and was following down the trail. I told her we were a little over a mile from the camp site, and that Matt and I would move ahead and start setting it up. That she should get him to giver her pack back, but maybe take some of her gear. I topped off 4 liters again in case the next creek was dry, and we moved on.

Matt and I made the last 1.2 miles in 40 minutes even with a last climb over a ridge. He and I set up camp quickly and then cooked dinner, luckily the creek was full, but I carried all that water for nothing. I ran up the hill while my dinner simmered. I found Karen and Donald about a mile back. She looked bad, so I took her pack and went back down. By this time her pack was a lot lighter than mine, but I still preferred the Gearskin.

Now we are all here. Matt isn't wanting to eat but I'm making him. Karen has thrown up once, but is now eating and drinking, I personally feel it's because she is a little out of shape and isn't eating right. I'm regretting tomorrow ends the hike, but I'm also glad because the kids are at the end of their endurance. Tomorrow I plan to get up early and finish the last 1.1 miles in early. We need to get back and help pack for the trip to Fairhope, AL.

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