Monday, April 6, 2009

Day 3 - First Update

Al officially started April 3rd on Springer Mountain.  He's been averaging 15 mile days.  Yesterday he arrived at Neel's Gap which is about 30 miles in.  Apparently the weather's been so cold he had to go buy a new 35 degree sleeping bag and send the other one home.  Today he encountered snow squalls, about 20 degree weather and 30 mph winds.  When we spoke he was finishing for the day and all he had to do was hike 1000 ft. for water, find a shelter out of the wind and hope his new sleeping bag keeps him warm through the night.   By Wednesday he says he should be coming off the trail for a shower (first one in 7 days), do some laundry, eat some real food and have a beer. 
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. polarisxltApril 10, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    Just wanted to say that we are proud of you. Can't wait to see how things go.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 4, 2009 at 4:35 AM

    My daughter and I met Allen at Whistling Gap,TN, between Sam's Gap and Erwin on April 27. One word comes to mind>> FOCUSED. A man on a mission. He was gone before dawn. I met him again at the Holiday Inn in Erwin,TN and gave him a ride to the grocery. Even though I only got to know him for that brief time I don't think I'll forget him for quite a while. I'll be following his hike here. Rocky

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)