'05 AT Thru Hike

“I SUPPOSE I COULD EMAIL THEM TOO.”

“WELL SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING! AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!”

“OK I SENT THEM SOME EMAIL WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.”

“I HOPE THEY DON'T THINK YOU ARE MAD AT THEM!!!!”

“NOTHING YET! THEY MUST NOT CHECK THEIR EMAIL VERY OFTEN.”

“Tough luck, Nimblefoot.

"The trail continues past Hawk Mountain (shelter at 7.6) to Hightower Gap. Hightower is probably a corruption of the word "itawa," an American Indian word for town. This marks what we have always considered the halfway point for the first section (its about two miles short of the actual halfway point) and F. S. 42 can be used for access. From here to Gooch Gap the trail is notably tougher, passing into the more mountainous climes of Lumpkin County. It is this portion of the trail that earns the footpath a "hard" rating. After climbing Sassafras Mountain the trail descends Winding Stair Gap to meet our old friend, F. S. 42. Two more times in this area the path will climb mountains only to descend to a gap it shares with this road. Just before meeting F.S. 42 once again, Gooch Gap Shelter is off to the left."
AT Springer Mountain to Woody Gap

I was planning to look for you at the Fontana Hilton Shelter on March 23^rd. And again at Ice Water Spring Shelter on March 29^th.

Do you want me to pick you up where you are? I could be there Friday evening.

---

Just when I had Lizs figured to be an amateur and she pulls this!
last edited: 3/07/05 5:35:33 PM”

“Nimblefoot - I think you've already earned a new name: Tenderfoot

LOL.”

“Sorry, I did not call”

“Take care of yourself Nimblefoot! You will be back on the trail in no time. Like percious said, the trail isn't going anywhere.”

“well, at least he can keep up with Trail Talk!

give it a couple of days, your still ahead of the crowds Nimble, er, I mean Tenderfoot.”

“Nimblefoot - Your mishap convinced me to skip class this evening and Wednesday evening. But I did stop by and tell my sensei(instructor). I don't want to chance an injury this close to a 3-4 month backpacking trip. Accidents can happen, especially in an activity that caused me to call myself bonecrusher.

aka (click here and scroll down)
last edited: 3/07/05 8:20:44 PM”

“THEY HAVE STILL NOT EMAILED ME. I AWAIT ANY SORT OF COMMUNICATION FROM THEM.”

“OK I FINALLY GOT AN EMAIL FROM THEM AND I HAVE THE ADDRESS! I WILL TRY AND MAIL IT TOMORROW!”

“whats all the shouting about?

is this the hostel in dahlonega? if it is, ive heard good things about them”

“YES IT IS.”

“stop SHOUTING youre HURTING my EYES!”

“WOUNDED KNEE STARTED IT!”

“sassafras mt, thats what, 10 miles into it? dont you wanna curse fate sometimes? i had heard two of my trail friends, the walking stomach, and april showers, in separate incidents, were injured in the whites, a blown knee and a badly sprained ankle respectively. that kind of sht is heartbreaking. i count myself as lucky i didnt have any injuries other than minor aches. blisters were hardly worth mentioning, the knee pain was the worst but it went away before virginia, had some shin splints but nothing debilitating, and a very mild ankle sprain.”

“From the information he provided,

"downside of Sassafras Mt and I sprained my ankle fairly bad. I hiked on for another 6 miles that day and the ankled was much more swollen this morning. I clubfooted it out ...,"

he may have made it 20.02 miles to Woody Gap at highway 60. Otherwise, he may have found help at Gooch Gap(where he probably spent the night in the shelter), 16.38 miles, at FR 42.

Map”

“GOOD JOB, BIT. WAY TO BE AGGRESSIVE! THIS IS NO TIME FOR TIMID SOULS!”

“LOL... GLAD I HAVE Y'ALL SCARED AND AM BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY NOW![b][u]

well, except that I don't know how to freakin' use the code.!#$!@#%!@#$%!
last edited: 3/07/05 11:08:28 PM”

“IT'S 2:00 A.M. AND YOU LOUD MOUTHS HAVE WOKE ME UP. Bit - don't send anymore emails...the address is down stairs and on a card. I'm not hobbling down there now. I'm going to be here a week or so anyway.

If there is a new name it will be

STUMBLEFOOT”

“yea, its really inappropriate to call yourself "nimblefoot" when you cant make it 10 miles without twisting your ankle. i told you not to take that name to the trail. the thru-hiker gods have gotten you.”

“

"I'm going to be here a week or so anyway."
Nimblefoot

OK, I expect to arrive late Friday afternoon or early evening. If they let me stay, I'll be happy to take you to breakfast in town on Saturday morning. Let me know if there is anything you want me to bring. I still have some shopping to do prior to leaving home and I'll be happy to add any of your needs to my list.”

“I have the address, I have the package, I will be sending it out today!”

“THANK GOODNESS”

“I have a headache this morning. Ugh.”

“Ha Ha!”

“Thanks Bit.
I appreciate it.
It is with cleaver whit.
That I finish this Bit.

-percious
www.percious.com”

“Nimblefoot, Nowslimmer sounds like y'all might be in the Smokies when I will.

I will be at Icewater Springs March 23rd and at either Smokemont or Elkmont (most likely) March 25th.

Maybe we will run into each other.”

“OK, it's in the mail on its' way to Nimblefoot!”

“yay!

-percious”

“dont forget to email or call me when trail days is getting close, to let me know where youll be. the plan is to pick you up friday morning, with captain hook and dub in tow, and be in damascus before noon.”

“Will you all be staying overnight? If so, where? Will it be OK if I bring some girls with me?

Girls, listen up and submit your names early. My car has a limited capacity. This could be the party of all parties. May 13-15^th.”

“Cool, nowslimmer's bringin the chicks!”

“I always try to share the booty.

---

No, no, you two go away! There's nothing for you here, since

booty:- 3. A valuable prize, award, or gain.”

“Progress report: My ankle is coming along much better than I expected. Still swollen, but going down and my flexibility is returning quickly. I may be out of here in another 2 days. Rather than risk being shot, I will wait for the stove.”

“try to make it more than 10 miles this time!!!”

“Please let us know when you're leaving. And don't rush off to avoid seeing me on Friday night. Just tell me you're busy and I'll drive on an alternative route.”

“Nimble... err stumblefoot I wouldn't shoot you



























too much. :-)

Maybe now you will be ok since you will not be overburdened by a heavier stove.

-percious”

“Okay everyone -

Crash Bang, I made it 20 miles (damn near 1 percent).

Nowslimmer - I'm going to see the outfitter in Neals Gap today, but will likely be out of here tomorrow a.m. Not being antisocial, but this sitting around and listening to the tales of "real" hikers is bugging the hell out of me.

Percious - I have never used anything but an alcohol stove and will continue to carry the old...as a backup, j/k.”

“So then there is a good chance the stove will miss you again. Perhaps the kind people at the hostel can forward it to your next mail drop? Or I can send another one out to you. What kind of fuel are you using?

-percious”

“I sent it Priority Mail as requested...hopefully it will get there before he leaves.

The next section of trail from Woody Gap to Unicoi Gap is really nice. Do be careful on the rocks as the trail goes up Blue Mountain.”

“Nimblefoot - OK, thanks for the update. I'll go on my usual route using I-26 through SC and up to Asheville. I plan to stop Friday night north of Columbia at Sumter National Forest, which is within three hours of GSMNP at Cataloochee. Good luck.”

“I just hope he makes it to CT this time so *I* can hike with him. Is that selfish???

-percious
www.percious.com”

“Great luck Nimblefoot!!! Dang you folx doing thru-hikes last spring, and here again this spring are giving me some terrible itchies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


dammitall, don't have kids.....2/3 jk...”

“According to Nimblefoot's latest entry on TrailJournals, he's heading out today.”