Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

Erwin, Tennessee
Day 123
340 miles to go

As promised, here are our pictures! Another slow upload, but it was worth the wait.
The snow has drastically slowed our progress, but even at ten miles a day we will still get to Georgia. Wearing snowshoes is a lot of work. We have read in several places that 1 lb on the feet is equal to 5 or 6 lbs in the pack, so when our snowshoes weigh 4 lbs it really adds up. We have been having fun slowing down a bit though, spending a bit more time camping out and enjoying places rather than just dashing through.
Today we dropped down from 5,000ft to 1700ft and it was like walking into summer. Sunny and 60 degrees, what a change! The coldest we have seen was -3 degrees on Dec 28th, just before heading up Roan Mtn. Which is supposedly the coldest place on the Southern AT year round. It was a bit of a tough climb, but the balds were awesome- great views.
We are getting closer to the Smokies every day! Hoping some of this snow melts off before we get there, but we are prepared either way. Enjoy the pics, and hope you are having a party to welcome in the new year : )


The Keffer oak, 2nd largest on the AT

winter wonderland

 filtering water...have to thaw filter inside my coat first



Grayson Highlands, beautiful area. and windy enough to be clear of snow!

feral ponies


Tyrell breaking trail

getting deeper!


Our hiking companion Sissy Hankshaw and her dog Mabel. She is from Tampa, FL, and had never seen snowshoes before

Monday, December 20, 2010

Damascus, VA

Only 463.5 miles to go!
We got into town today and picked up our snowshoes. Sure could have used them up on Mt. Rogers.
Well, the computer here is running incredibly slooooow, and our camera battery is dying, so unfortunately no pics tonight- but I'm still trying!
Hiking in the snow has been tough, only making 10 miles a day and barely getting in before sunset. A little closer to Georgia every day...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Winter on the AT

Woods Hole Hostel, Pearisburg, VA
Mile 1563.1,
Day 100!

Just a quick update before I fall into bed tonight. We are staying in a little paradise in the woods.
Our adventure has turned epic. For the last 5 days we have been breaking trail through the snow. Temps have been in the single digits. Water bottles freeze solid as we hike. Shoes are nearly impossible to get on in the morning. Up on the ridges(between 3,000 and 4,000ft) it is miserable. Very windy. The trees are plastered with snow, the drifts are waist deep in places, and worst of all- we are following a trail marked with WHITE blazes! Multiple times we lost the trail and had to search back and forth til we found it again.
But, we are still making it. Today we made a trip to the outfitter and geared up with new boots, socks, hat, gators, thermometer, water bottle insulator, etc. Our feet are much happier now! We have also been hiking with two other Southbounders, which is fun.
The computer here does not upload pics, otherwise I would show you how hiking in the snow looks.
Until next time...