Date: 2015-11-13
From: Fontana, NC

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 105.1

11/9 Day 160: 27.4 miles M2051.9Nantahala Outdoor Center HostelPinecone dropped me off at 7am at the trailhead where I started the day with a long climb out of the Fontana valley. Pinecone slack-packed me today by driving from Fontana to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in order to meet me in the evening with my camp gear. Today is the only day on this hike I slack-packed. I have be curious to know what it would feel like to hike the AT without carrying significant weight. The stress on my feet was far less. I could walk much faster. I reached halfway at Stecoah Gap today by 1:00 pm and then hiked an hour after dark arriving at NOC at 6:45pm in time to have a delicious dinner with Pinecone at the Rivers End restaurant. There were no views since rain and fog stayed with me all day long. Cheoah Bald would have had some nice views were it not for the thick fog.11/10 Day 161: 11.7 miles M2063.6Cold Spring ShelterI took a slow start today in order to spend a few more hours with Pinecone as well as to rest a bit after the long hike yesterday. Several SOBO's and a couple visiting from Portugal had breakfast and nice conversation together. On my hike out of the Nantahala Gorge, I passed a 79 year old gentleman who was hiking from Springer to Damascus. His son was supporting the hike by meeting the 79 year old at roads in the evenings and dropping him off at the trailhead in the mornings. As I hiked up to Wesser Bald, I thought often about the last hike Dad and I (and my two dogs) had together. It took us 2 days to hike the six miles up to the Wesser Bald Shelter and two days to hike back down. Those four rainy days were tough for Dad, but I felt his presence with me. The blue skies returned today and made the view from Wesser Bald tower impressive. I stayed at Wesser for about 45 minutes to be in the moment as I reflected on my experiences on this thru-hike. There is a certain sense of peace and heightened respect that came over me for nature and the vast expanse of time and space that is North America. I hiked on further as the sun moved lower and reached the blue-blazed trail to Rocky Bald where I witnessed another very nice view back to the east. I arrived just before dark at Cold Spring Shelter at 4965' above sea level. Looks like it will be a very cold night. There are four of us here tonight (Taco, Star Trek and Saffron), all SOBO thru-hikers estimating our date to arrive at Springer Mtn.11/11 Day 162: 19.9 miles M2083.3Rock Gap ShelterThe trail took me to Wayah Bald this morning where the views were really spectacular on this beautiful day. I could see back to Cheoah Bald and Standing Indian Mtn, each imposing in opposite directions. Saffron and Star Trek were having lunch in the sun and Taco arrived shortly after I did. This will probably be the last time I see them as they plan to go into Franklin for a day or two. I could also see Rabun Bald from Wayah (my first view of Georgia). I have found that with the shortening days and the high amount of loose and crunchy leaves on the trail hiding the location of the rocks and root that 20 miles per day is a smart hike this time of year. The weather is great today and we were all blessed with a beautiful sunset. Very kewl today to see a sign today: "GA/NC state line - 28 miles". Only 106 miles to Springer Mtn.11/12 Day 163: 19.7 miles 2102.9The morning was overcast so I missed what would have otherwise been great views on the tower at Albert Mountain. The trail led me all day around the horseshoe section of the AT that climbs Standing Indian. I took the short blue-blazed trail to the summit, a small grassy area with views to the west. Through the glare of a setting sun, I could see Lake Chatuge and Brasstown Bald. That's Georgia! I thought about how many great times Lynette and I had at Lake Chatuge and several hikes I'd taken on the Arkakwa trail up to the summit of Brasstown Bald. I crossed the 2100-mile mark approaching Standing Indian. On the summit, I took time to reflect how this long trek has taken me to many new places, how lucky I am to have been able to make this hike and have these experiences: lucky to have the time, the finances, the physical ability, the motivation and temperament, lucky to have found the kindness of so many strangers and lucky to have had the amazing support of friends and loved ones. Looking out to the west, I felt weepy looking at my home state for the first time in over five months and the incredible beauty of seven layers of Georgia mountains I could see from Standing Indian11/13 Day 164: 16.7 miles M2119.6Top of Georgia HostelAs I awoke to a very beautiful sunrise over Standing Indian and prepared to hike out in what felt like very cold temperatures (25 degrees or so), I felt dizzy and had to delay my start until the dizziness passed, lying down on the shelter platform. I couldn't stay too long as I was not in my down bag and getting cold, especially my feet. Once I could hike out, my feet warmed after about an hour and I also began to feel better. Odd.   The leaves were thick today making fast walking difficult. I crossed into Georgia today thus completing the 13 state on the SOBO journey.   Great to be in Georgia on this beautiful, cold, and windy day. I love the Top of Georgia hostel, owned and run by a long-distance hiker -- clean and with Native American (Cherokee) references.