Day: |
011 |
Date: |
Tuesday, 13 May 1986 |
Start: |
|
Finish: |
|
Daily
AT Miles: |
22.2 |
Daily Other Miles |
0 |
Total
AT Miles: |
193.6 |
Total All Miles |
203.8 |
Weather: |
Mild, some rain, cloudy, occasional fog. |
Accommodation: |
|
Nutrition: |
Breakfast: Muesli, health drink. Lunch:
Biscuits and peanut butter, health bar. Dinner: Dehydrated
lasagne, instant pudding, scroggin (gorp). |
Aches: |
Feet sore. |
Animals Seen: |
Two deer. |
People Seen: |
Andy, nine overnight hikers, one ranger. |
Pictures: |
Here |
GPS Track: |
|
Journal: |
Got up at 6:30am and set off at 8am with
the intention of trying to walk to Double Springs Gap Shelter, 22
miles away. It had rained during the night and everything was damp
and foggy. The Trail was rough and alternately climbing and
flattening as it went up on to the crest of the Great Smoky
Mts. The vegetation became more luxuriant. At about noon it began
to rain quite hard and did so for an hour. At first I only put on
my pack cover but then felt a little cool and put on my
Goretex. The Trail passed through some lush green meadows dotted
with blossoming trees. I stopped for lunch when the rain stopped
near the top Rocky Top (5441ft). The Trail often followed narrow
rocky ridges or passed through groves of rhododendron. At lunch I
decided progress had been too slow, so I tried to maintain a good
gait in the afternoon. The weather gradually cleared allowing some
nearby mountains to be seen, but not many. I passed trails down to
Cades Cove where Barb and I had camped at Easter. I met four young
people drying out in Derrick Knob Shelter from earlier rain. I
reached Silers Bald Shelter at 5:40pm – good going – and decided to
stock up on water and carry it the two miles to Double Springs Gap
Shelter where apparently the springs had almost dried up. With all
water bottles and my water bag filled, it increased my pack weight
by 10-15 pounds and it was a hard slog to the Shelter. I had a wash
in my saucepan then, as preparing to light a fire, was visited by a
National Parks range with a rifle and spotlight. He asked to see my
permit but seemed satisfied with my explanation. He and a colleague
were hunting wild boar, which were not native to the area. They had
shot seven last night. I had difficulty lighting my fire, then
managed to spill half of the main course while moving the
saucepan. It was a nice spot with some sun breaking through at
last. It was nice to have it all to myself whereas there was likely
to be at least six hikers staying at the previous shelter. Retired
at 9:15pm. Could hear wild boar(s) rooting around very close to the
Shelter, but the cage across the front was locked. |
|
ADVENTURE LIST
Round Ireland
(2016)
Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)
Via Alpina
(2012)
Australian Alps Walking
Track (2011)
Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)
Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)
Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)
Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)
Three Peaks Race
(2004)
Appalachian Trail
(1986)
Alpine Track
(1983)
|