MileMonster on the AT

“Rock On Mile Monsters!”

“Hike On!!! MM and DN..Thanks MrsMM for keeping us posted..I plan to do this part of the AT in May..woohoo : )”

“Glad they're doing well. I need to do the stretch from Neels to Dick's Creek myself.”

“MileMonster here.

Hey, Hey folks. Made a town trip into Franklin today. I'm just chillin' here in public library enjoying the internet access. I hope everyone is doing well.

Things have been going pretty good. We both feel good and only minor aches and pains. Had rain yesterday and today but not too bad. Luckily the hard stuff hit both nights rather than the days. We knew it was coming so we were in shelters each night. We had such a great first week weather-wise. When we got to the AT trailhead from the approach trail the sky opened up and it started to snow. Kind of ominous beginning. Last Wed - mid-Sun were spectacular, though. Sunny, upper 60's some days. First few nights were mid-20's, but you gotta expect that. Nights are supposed to cool down this week, too.

The hiking has been very good. GA was alot of up and down. One guy described it as making mountains out of molehills. Not too many switchbacks to speak of, mostly straight up the ridge. Pretty, though, and I'm glad I've seen it.

NC has been very nice so far - the same guy said that NC trail crews make molehills out of mountains. So far I agree - bigger mountains than GA but with seemingly less effort. Maybe I'm just getting stronger. Super scenery. Alot of streams, rhododendron jungles, lush greens.

Today we hiked from Carter Gap Shelter to Winding Stair Gap - 15.8 miles, I think. Went over Albert Mountain today. I expect the view from up there is pretty nice, but we were socked in with fog. Didn't even bother climbing the tower. The two days previous we kind of slacked to make sure we were in shelters at night. Gary (Blueberry Patch) shuttles back to the trail at 9:30 so late start that day - 11.5 to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Yesterday 12.5 to Carters Gap Shelter. Nice to back off a little, though. It was good for us.

Tomorrow is supposed to be fairly nice weather. Planning on about 16 again from Winding Stair Gap to Cold Spring Shelter. Built in 1933 by the CCC, looking forward to seeing it.

Stormbringer - the Blueberry Patch is a must stop. Gary and Lennie are super nice and the hostile is great. We happened to be the only folks there our night though. The pancakes hit the spot. We didn't get any pizza, though!!

My moms is busily typing next to me trailjournals. For her perspective go check it out.

BTW, we'll probably be crossing Fontana Dam Sunday morning if anyone is interested. Hope to get throught the Smokes in 5 days. Anyone up?

Well, the Ms or I will update again soon. Be safe, everyone.

- MileMonster (aka Crayola on the AT)”

“Oops, I called the Blueberry Patch a "hostile" instead of a "hostel". Nothing further from the truth. LOL.”

“Glad you fine folks are doing so well! HIKE ON!!!”

“"crayola"?”

“fear what the trail will name you .....2 poops”

“hey MM Keep on truckin. Ule dew fine. YO BEAR! Crayola I like it!”

“Glad to hear from ya bro!
Yall sound like the trip is going well so far. Hope it stays that way for the next few months!”

“Go MM!”

“2 more days before i can leave. its killing me”

“You guys are so fortunate. I too will do the AT but it won't be for many many years. Probably will be my big retirement trip, in about twenty, lol.

Enjoy every moment of it! Can't wait to read your trailjournals.”

“Just got word from MileMonster. They are in the Smokies now. They stayed at the Hike Inn at Fontana Dam last night and hiked about 16 miles to Spence Field shelter. He said that it is absolutely freezing and there are a lot of people crammed in like sardines. I guess that will keep them warmer!
I hope it warms up but it looks like it's going to stay chilly for a while. The plan is to finish the Smokies on Thursday.
-Mrs. MM”

“I heard it's supposed to be in the low 30s in Richmond County tomorrow AM... I can usually count on it being 10 or 12 degrees cooler in the mountains, <G>”

“Kool! No pun intended. SAy Hey to mr MM fer me and thanks for the update!”

“Sounds like they are having a blast..Thanks MrsMM.”

“Mrs MM I plan on being around Davenport Gap this weekend..If you talk to MM again see if I can bring them anything. You can directly e-mail me if you like. Click on my trail name.Hope I can help.”

“You gonna hafta knock this the heyull out!! I'm supposed to be doing my taxes!

Yo Bear!”

“MM it is great to be able to check out how your trip is going. I wish I could be there. I will look forward to your next update. Take care.”

“It was 4 at LeConte last night and 9 at Newfound Gap. I'm guessing they're pretty dang cold about now.”

“4 degrees?

I was cold last night and it was only 37 and I was under a down comforter, a quilt, and flat sheet in a climate-controlled house.”

“It's 46 in Memphis today and I wore a short sleeve shirt and forgot a jacket.

I've been colder. At least it's not 4. The coldest I have been is when they sent me to Minnapolis in January and it was minus 15. When I got back I told my chain of command "no mas".”

“It was about 30 here in Central Al last night. I made the mistake of wearing shorts to my sons tee ball practice yesterday evening. I had a fleece on, so it wasn't too bad.

I'll bet MM and his mom were cold this morning.”

“Holy Smokes! 4 degrees?
I hope MM did OK!”

“I'll bet MM and his mom were cold this morning."
dayhiker
09:52:40 AM
03/23/04

I just now caught this. I didn't know his mom was doing it with him. I know how fast he hikes and she can keep up. Damn way to go.”

“Hey DH, you got a link for those Smokies weather conditions?

I used to have a good one with temps, 24-hr snowfall amounts, etc. for various locations around the park all on one page, but it vaporised.”

“Yep, it's his mom. She seems to be doing well with 15mpd. I know he can do 20mpd easy. I think once they clear the Smokies that he's planning on picking up the pace, if he feels she's up to it.”

“coolness.

Thanks!”

“Here's one back atcha... Nationwide Real-time Streamflow.”

“Check this: http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.htm

Did you see my comment to you, Tilt, about Kailas. It was on the thread you started with the linked photo.”

“Yes, that's a nifty Smokies link.

Let me throw my brain into reverse, here... Star Trek - Darmok & Jilad - Tenagra - Obseratory - "New Wallpaper" thread? Nope!

I can't remember which thread! (happens all the time)”

“Here's the cut'n'paste from that thread:

Tilt - our TNG banter last week came up in something I read over the weekend. Last months NG Adventure had a Tibetan trip. They were going to a Mt. Kailas. It's a Buddhist spiritual place. Wasn't the place that Worf went on his retreat called Kailas, or something similiar?"”

“Ha - I just found it on the chocolate outrage thread and replied there!


(Sorry for the thread hijacking Mrs.MM!)”

“Hi, folks.
You were right- it was damn cold in the Smokies. MM said his water was frozen all day Monday. He was dreaming about his 0 degree bag. They did better today. Hiked about 15, crossed Clingman's Dome to Ice Water Springs Shelter (appropriate name!) Not quite the pace that MM is going for but hoping to pick it up after the Smokies.
Mrs. MM”

“Timing is everything! <G>”

“Is he carrying a cell phone on a thru-hike?!?!
EEEEEEEEK!!”

“what's the most recent word on the milemonster?”

“..and what is his journals under on TrailJournals?
It ain't milemonster.”

“Thanks baume!
Double Nickels', his moms name.”

“Sorry for the lack of updates. I got a little annoyed with the cell phone comment.
MM and mom are doing well. I hiked with them last weekend from Lemon Gap into Hot Springs. The weather was great. The trail was not too exciting but I'm sure it's pretty when the rhododendron and laurel bloom. The outfitter in Hot Springs is great- good resupply, ATM, internet, gear, and shuttle service. Bought a new pair of shoes because the Gore Tex lined hikers were not breathable enough. But now MM has breathable but not waterproof shoes and it is now rainy and snowy! I guess his feet are going to stay damp no matter what.
They are still covering on average 15 miles a day. Had a 20 miler that went well. MM is still hoping to pick up the pace to 20 mile days but it depends on his mom. They both looked good this weekend. Expect to be in VA next week.
Thanks for all of the well wishes. Opie- we found the backpacker decal you were looking for. We can send it to you if you email your address.
-Mrs.MM”

“trek onward, for thou art uhmmm....a really good hiker...”

“Thanks for the update. I'd carry a cell too. It may seem odd to us 3 day weekend warriors, but if I was hump'n it for 4-6 months then I'd carry the cell.

If he'll be in VA next week then they must be doing the section of Roan about now. It's spectacular.

MM is goretex, that cracks me up. In Sept when he did Eagle Creek with me there were 16 wet creek crossings. MM didn't take his shoes off and he found a way to rock hop each creek and he didn't get wet. When we got to camp he was already there and gave us that report. After wading knee deep water 16 times we were dumbfounded.

Thanks for the reports...keep'em coming.”

“yeah, keep them coming. thanks”

“MM and Double Nickles rock. Thanks for the report Mrs MM!”

“Great trip report, Thanks!”

“Love the updates!”

“Glad you found all is well..I spoke to some thru-hikers at Mt.Moma's at Davenport last weekend.They had heard of MM and DN..Said they were moving on... : )”