Date: 2012-02-23
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last night it rained and thundered...good thing I was in the Mull Inn. Got up and took off for breakfast. I stopped at the Georgia Mountain restaurant. Had pancakes and oatmeal with the locals. Tourism is a large part of Hiawassee. The tourist season starts in March/April. I went into a Radio Shack and the person explained to me that my solar charger can't put out enough watts/amps to charge my toys. My new plan is to buy a wall charger that chargers them all and charge them in between resupply stops...about every 4-5 days...I have two cell phone batteries. Radio Shack didn't have a single tool that would charge them all...the IPod is the odd item...having to buy a separate charger for it. I did buy an emergency charger that worked off a AA battery that would charge all of them. I went over to Dollar General next door and I hit pay dirt...they had the item for $10 that would charge them all from a wall or car outlet...YES!!!!!! So, I was relieved on getting my charging system in order. The emergency charger would be my charger in between resupply stops. Next I walked over to Rite Aide and picked some items. My last stop was the Hiawssee Library to update this journal...where I ran into Shelter Mouse. He stated he fell behind me with another blister. He staying at the Blueberry Patch Hostel outside of town. The librarian stated we were the first hikers of the year to use the library...to my sister Charlotte (a librarian) thank God for libraries. I have taken a lot of photos...unable to download to this site at this time...working on it. My next resupply looks like Franklin, NC 39 miles up the trail. There I will update the journal from thier local library...I am afraid updating from my cell will use too much juice...when and if I have reception...and if I have service, the possible roaming charges. OK..that is it from Hiawassee, GA..will update more if something happens before I leave tomorrow morning. I need to work on a plan on getting back to the trail head...I am not walking the 11 miles.Here is an update of my equipment: My MSR Miniworks EX Filter is working nicely...no clogs...but I do clean it regularly (purchased some coffee filters to wrap around the intake to help out in the filtering in heavy silted water. I am going to go from just filling my 32 oz Nalgene bottle with Space Saver cup attached to also utilizing my Big Zip 2L Platapus with tube. I have been drinking 32 oz at a time.My Zimberland boots ($265 from REI) have been excellent. NO BLISTERS. I am using a Smartwool medium cushion sock with a sock liner. I carry 2 of each..a third wool sock for sleeping in.Gregory Baltoro 65 liter pack (medium). Love it..just the right size for me..fits great..hardly feel the 40 pounds I am carrying..except on the steep uphills.The MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person tent. Like the extra room..the trade off in the few extra pounds of weight verses the one person version is worth it to me.The Mini Trngia alcohol stove is working out great...using denatured alcohol as fuel.The Marmot 15 degree sleeping bag is keeping me warm..the temps have dip into the high 20's to low 30's at night. I am glad I brought a backpackers pillow...well worth it in weight. My ThermRest All Season pad is very comfortable and light. The IPod and cell phone has been a great tool. The IPod is great for the solo hiker. I listen to it all the time. I play the Rocky theme song first thing in the morning as I start off. The cell phone has enable me to stay contact with the family..crucial for me...I seem to get cell service on the peaks of the mountains...I am finding I am getting Sprint service as I move north.My running clothes have worked out great..no cotton...my cold weather Michigan running clothes have been great. I carry 2 long and short sleeve shirts, no underwear, one REI pant/shorts (zip off) combo, 2 running short (need only one)...one cold weather running shirt, rain jacket with hood, jacket liner to my Cabella's cold weather jacket...that is it for clothes.I carry about 4-5 days worth of food...8 pounds approx.So far I have been hiking between 2000 and 4000 feet...up and down mountains in the pine trees and at this time leafless trees. It reminds me of the Von Trapp family hiking in the Alps as they are escaping the Nazis in the movie "The Sound of Music". Lastly...hiking solo has been great...no problems at all...more care is needed if you are a female...haven't met any female thru-hikers...maybe when I get more physically conditioned and more people take to the trail, I will hike with some company. Good-bye from Hiawassee!.....Next update will possibly be from Franklin, NC in about 4 days.I will say it over and over...THANKS to my family Pam, Cierra and Sydney for allowing me to pursue a 24 year old dream..and a big THANKS to all those who are watching over my family while I am gone...yes, that also includes you Griffin, Bart, Twilight, and Miracle (our family pets).