Date: 2010-03-26
To: Shakedown #1
Miles today: 0.0

Just back from first shakedown hike since deciding to thru-hike the AT. I took my son Brooks, age 15, and my nephew Joseph, age 18; with me on the hike. We made a loop of the Skyway Loop, Chinnabee Silent, Pinhoti, Cave Creek, and Odum Scout Trails for approximately 37 miles in 3 days. Day 1 started at Adams Gap trailhead, down the Skyway Loop Trail, connecting to the Chinnabee Silent Trail 3 miles to Cheaha Shelter. We Started in 37 degree weather, which only got colder during the afternoon. Our delayed start was at 1:30, so we had to do the 10 miles quickly, before dark. Joseph slipped on a rock crossing Hubbard Creek, and had to change quickly due to the cold. Then crossing Cheaha Creek, Brooks slipped on rocks and went down hard; again having to change to dry clothing. No injuries (not counting their pride, brought on by laughter from their guide, me). That prompted wishful, hopefull thoughts by both boys that I would be the next victim of a creek crossing mishap, but that was not to be. These two delays, and the late start, caused us to finish the last mile with headlamps. We arrived to a vacant shelter, and Joeseph built us a nice fire. Joseph and Brooks now have trail names. Slip (Joesph) and Slide (Brooks) hahahaha! I was surprised that I sleep warm in the damp, 33 degree weather.Day 2, started with a breakfast on the rocks, at the falls below the shelter around 9:00. We pressed on to the tough last mile of the Chinnabee trail climb to the Pinhoti trail where we ate a nice lunch of pouched tuna and chicken, ranch dressing, and pita bread; yum! We hiked north along the pinhoti to Blue Mtn. shelter, where we met two wonderful 2002 AT thru-hikers! They met on the trail that year, and get together and hike occaisionally. I didn't catch his name (lesson #1 - take a small pocket pad and pencil for notes and journal), and am sorry for that. "Thru", and her dog, tented, while he sheltered with us. They were very helpful with my 1000 questions, and Thru (from Maine) even offered to shuttle me from Katadin (if I make it) to Airport in Bangor! Wow! The AT family has definitely begun for me. How exciting. Day 3 began with a great sunrise from my bag in the shelter. So beautiful!!! We were off by 8, back down the Pinhoti to Cave Creek trail (nice trail with surprisingly good views), Odum Scout trail, back to the Pinhoti. Here it gets very confusing, as a sign here and another a couple miles further south, both state Odum Scout trail falls off to the east. Had a long rest, and chat with a guy and his dog out for a few nights. Then on to my favorite view of the whole trip. It was from an outcropping 1/10th mile north of Heaven. But, the boys state their favorite was the view from Heaven. Then we went down, down, down the "Stairway to Heaven". It was here I had bad things to say about the 'demented' mind/minds who designed the trail thru here. What possibly could they have been thinking! Then, we were on to Adams Gap where we completed the loop, AND 14 mile day.Lesson #2 - carried way too much food.Lesson #3 - take care of hot spots quickly.Lesson #4 - reduce weight as planned by exchanging my antiquated equipment with lighter, better quality 'stuff'.I arrived home to find a new tent had arrived! A MSR Hubba HP, one person tent. Weight is 2 lb, 9 oz, which includes fly, stakes, pole repair sleeve, and guy line. Had great reviews, and I can sit up in it. A little pricey at 350, but worth it considering it will be my home for 6 months.