“My Journey Is My Destination...”
“…'Homer' took off down the mountain howling and barking…"
By Dustin Jackson appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
Day 141 Unaka Mtn.
Becky sorrowfully dropped me off at Carver’s Gap (Roan Mtn.). It was cold with ice in the trees. I waved goodbye. Becky and I are back on track.
By the time I got up to Roan High Knob shelter, the highest shelter on the AT,
my toes were cold. I had ice in my beard from my breath.
I changed socks and noticed the temperature gauge at the shelter read 20.3
degrees.
I hiked through familiar places all day. Being at home spoiled me, I’m not going to say that coming back to the trail is like going back to work, but
the change is noticeable.
I didn’t take my toboggan or mittens off all day. I got down to Iron Mountain Gap and
saw the water my Dad and Mom left.
Thanks! He likes helping out the thru hikers.
When I crossed the road a bag was hanging from a tree. It read, "Farsang!" Really, personal trail magic, really? Yep! It’s great. The bag held some great food and a note from “Cookie Monster” and “Jack Rabbit.” I’m looking forward to meeting them too. Other trail magic included water Mango (NOBO 06) had left. It seems that TN is best at taking care of the hikers.
I stopped toward the end of the day at Cherry Gap shelter. Eight people were there and had a fire going. It was tempting to stop, but I wanted to stay on top of Unaka Mtn. I reached the top where I found a fire ring with some wood. I went directly to work on the fire and am embarrassed to say that, for the
first time in my life, I could not get a fire going.
I gave up prematurely as I was losing heat fast. Soon as the sun goes down, the heat is gone. A couple of hours later I was wearing all my clothes in a twenty degree down bag
and was still a little cold.
I had bought an insulated mug and some Esbit tabs to heat water as needed. Tonight it was needed. I still don’t want my stove back. I held the double walled mug over the lit Esbit tab. It seemed to be working, then the mug popped loudly. Immediately, I thought about the mug being double walled and insulated, I
shouldn
’t be cooking with it. I let it cool down and drank cold black coffee. Just another addition to a crappy night.
I didn’t change my clock to match the time change. The cold already sends me to bed early, the time change would make it worse. I’m transcending time. I’m a little miserable right now in this cold. The cold is another kind of animal. It changes everything.
Day 142 24.9 miles Spivey gap
Woke up to a very cold morning. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag. I had to get moving before sunrise, my friend David Cecil is meeting me today
to hike.
I stopped at Deep gap and drank some good ole untreated spring water.
I met David 'CornDog' NOBO '00 on Beauty Spot. At first, I thought he might not be able to keep up, but I forgot on the down
hill I just throw out my feet and allow them to be punished by whatever is
there.
We stopped at his car and I filled up on coffee and doughnuts. 'Corndog' told me I was hooked up for the day with food. Cool! We talked about everything as we hiked. It was great to have someone around. We got to Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin where we had lunch. I ate everything from fruit to a big sausage to candy, David carried it all day. We climbed straight up out of Erwin to some beautiful views of the Nolichucky
river.
We climbed for most of the afternoon. 'Corndog' had no problem with my thru
hiker's pace.
We never quit talking he is great company. We eventually made it down to Spivey Gap where David was picked up. My Dad,
Wane, had set up a camp.
He had ready for me a tent, hillbilly steaks, drinks, and a good time. A section hiker, 'Pilgrim,' from FL benefited too. more>>
