Dave Byrnes

Appalachian Trail - 1986

Overview Map Diary Pictures

Day:	022
Date:	Saturday, 24 May 1986
Start:
Finish:
Daily AT Miles:	23.7
Daily Other Miles	0
Total AT Miles:	424.2
Total All Miles	436.5
Weather:	Mostly overcast, mild, occasional rain.
Accommodation:
Nutrition:	Breakfast: Muesli, health drink. Lunch: Biscuits and peanut butter, cookie, Coke. Dinner: Beef and tuna (cold), chips, instant pudding, Mars Bar.
Aches:	Hip joints occasionally.
Animals Seen:
People Seen:	Four overnight hikers, fifteen others.
Pictures:	Here
GPS Track:
Journal:	Got up at 6am and left at 7:30am on a dreary morning. The Trail was relatively flat for a short distance before it began a steep rocky and difficult climb up Pond Mt. The AT used to miss this mountain and, after labouring up it for not-particularly-good views (OK, though), I think they could leave it out. The descent was treacherous because of the recent rain and consequent mud. I slipped several times and finally fell near the bottom. I walked to a small garage store and stocked up on a few goodies to make morning tea, lunch and dinner more appealing. Then I walked on to a picnic area where I stopped at a table with two hikers, one of whom turned out to be an Australian girl from Elwood. The Trail was supposed to be easier now and I looked forward to it. It began to rain as I crossed the Wautauga Dam and I decided to push on to a shelter for lunch. The grades, though uphill, weren’t too bad as I climbed onto a long ridge in dripping forest. I reached Vandeventer Shelter at 3pm and found Shirley, a south-bound by sections AT hiker, stopped for the day. We had a pleasant chat while I ate lunch. Then I left to push on the last eight or nine miles to Iron Mt Shelter, my target for the night. I arrived at about 7pm to find it surprisingly empty. The wood was too wet for a fire, so I settled for a hodge podge of meat which later led to an uncomfortable night. The rain had stopped, at least. At about 9pm, I was startled by the arrival of Mark (from Texas) who I had thought was in front of me. The Australian girl I had met in the morning had told me how he had set fire to himself last night while cooking. We chatted for a while and I went to bed at 9:30pm. At about 2am we were hit by a giant thunderstorm which literally shook the Shelter but, fortunately, we didn’t get leaked on. I’m looking forward to a day off inDamascus but wished they had a motel there.