271 miles down, 2004 Email Update #2

From: Jen Sober jennifersober@yahoo.com
Subject: 271 miles down
Date: Friday, April 16, 2004, 11:16 PM
1904 miles to go!!!!!

 

(i swear... i will really work on getting these email to be shorter..sorry) (i am not spell checking either, last time i did that i lost the email, so i apologize now for my bad typing)

 

We are now in Hot Springs, NC. We ended up getting here 2 days early, so we are now enjoying a couple days off to recover the feet and freshen up (and hopefully get some weight off our packs).

Let's see.. Wallace Gap (Franklin NC) was our last update. Hiking times have been so wonderful! The weather could be a bit drier and warmer, but we are still enjoying each and every experience we go through.

The first think we missed after leaving Franklin was a toilet...digging a hole is just not quite the same. Or, sometimes we get the privledge of a Privy at a shelter. We were very homesick for the trail and were very excited to be back "home."

Nantahala River

The Georgia mtns were very up and down and great weather. The NC mtns. have been more go way up and stay up over rolling hills but horrible weather. The elevation differences are amazing. We remember the first week saying " oh my we are hitting 4000 feet today" and now it is "6600 feet"

We had a blast when the AT went across the Nantahala River. We hiked 6 miles straight down to the river dropping about 3500 feet to arrive at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) right there on the trail. It was one of the most beautiful days - 70 and sunny! Across the river was a cafe where we got some coffee and sat by the river relaxing (took the boots off). Then we went back over the river to the resteraunt and ate their famous Cheeseburger!!! We were at the NOC for about 4 hours before we put our packs back on our backs for a 6 mile hike climbing back up 3500 feet on the other side.

As we climbed each mountain each day, we could see Fontana Dam/Lake as well as (we think) Clingmans Dome (the highest peak on the AT). Clingmans had a bunch of snow on it's peak...very scary! :-)

We got to Fontana Dam on April 7th. It was really neat there! Largest Dam on the East. Enormous lake, cute little village where we picked up a mail drop and ate...LOTS!!! The Dam is also the beginning of the Smokies!

The Smokies have been a section of the trailed we have feared for some time. I kept picturing being up there in a blizzard on Clingmans Dome. But, luckily (if you call this lucky) we only had rain. The first day and a half were nice, then we just had rain all the way to Hot Springs. It is really making us tough hiking and camping in the cold rain and strong winds. We never really were dry! But each day it is worth it cause even in the rain the views are amazing!  It is really fun to look at the peaks we just hiked a day or two before. There just isn't any words to explain the beauty of these mtns. I said one day it looke like an Ocean of Mountains! It truely did.

Pokey, Zippy, Indy, Jen, Monkey, Andy, & Tawain John
(I did not have my trail name given yet)

We ended up increasing our miles a lot in the Smokies many 15 miles and a 19 miler to get out of there after only 4 nights. The nights it didn't rain though, we have had a great time around the fire pit talking with other hikers. We have been really greatful to be able to meet up many times with our fellow home town hikers Julia and Mike (also from Western MD).

Standing Bear Farm is a place we stayed our first night out of the smokies. It was there off the trial and it was a great set up. We will tell you all about it when we see you...(outdoor shower, bunk house made all from trees and a tin roof, best fire pit ever)

The next day we hiked through every possible weather there is... started in a monsoon rain storm, sun came out along with the heat and humidity, the rain came again bringing with it major fog mist and really strong winds (esp at the top of the mtns). Then it started sleeting on us. The top of Max Patch was a miserable time.... you will see pictures the next time around. Then we got to camp after another 19 mile hike (we just wanted to get to Hot Springs) and decided to stay in the shelter there so we wouldn't be packing a wet tent. The snow started up as we were cooking dinner..,.... Oh...I was so cold! Even Sean was having trouble staying warm. All night, snow blew into the shelter on our faces and our sleeping bags were soaking wet the next morning. We hightailed it that morning to get to Hot Springs and to lower elevations. We hiked 15 miles that day and never stopped moving/hiking for 12 miles.

We are now dry and visiting family (Harry & Kathleen). They picked us up and we are now in Asheville, NC enjoying a nice vacation away from our job of hiking :-)

 

As for how we are doing... GREAT! Never better! Sean is in the most amazing shape. You would all be so surprised, i think we could blow me away in a 5k race right now. We have really become stronger out in the mtns, which has really allowed us to up our miles. Each time we sit down and take a break.....regardless of the weather....we both are looking out at the scenerey and say "This is the LIFE!"

 

Pictures. Thanks to Jumana, i have our first roll of film on a online album. I do not have time to enter all your addresses in it yet so i am going to give you the info and you can use my user name etc. to view them. Eventually i hope to be able to get the time to organize it better. I will also tittle each picture at another time. But enjoy. These are of the Georgia Mtns. We we get more on there, i will be sure to let you know to go back and view them. We are sending 2 more rolls to Jumana now so in a week or 2 there will be 50 more pics to view.

That is all for now. We miss you all and look forward to hearfing from you.

 

Sean and Jen

 

PS...Charlie - Sean is following in your footsteps and tapping the first white blaze he sees every morning. :-)

  

more journal entries for AT Hike 2004

JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 8, 2004

Fontana Dam to Russell Field Shelter

Todays Miles = 14.9    Total Miles = 177.5    To Go = 1996.6

FONTANA DAM

We started todays hike with Julia and Mike and M.C. and Mo-Jo. We all ejoyed the easy hike over Fontana Dam (the largest dam east of the Mississippi). Enormous! Once we entered the Smokies, we all got separated with our own pacing.  I was ready for a really tough day. But it wasn't that bad. There was this section that was covered with these white wild flowers everywhere. They gave me energy. So beautiful. I just wanted to lay down in them and sleep. To me, that is what heaven must look like.

GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS



JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 9, 2004

Russell Field Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter

Todays Miles = 14.7    Total Miles = 192.2    To Go = 1981.9

Today was a different picture. We stayed in the shelter last night. The Smokies have a ton of bears, so you are required to stay in these caged shelters. The high winds caused the tarps hanging over the cages to be very loud. No sleep. We are doing some high miles now to get out of the Smokies in 4 days and get to Hot Springs, NC (our next time off the trail) a day early. It will be wet and awful. I hope to stay calm, focused and warm

 

JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 10, 2004

Silers Bald Shelter to Icewater Spring Shelter

Todays Miles = 14.5    Total Miles = 206.7    To Go = 1967.4

Today was a huge day for us. Clingmans Dome = the highest peak on the AT. The morning was sunny, so we got out early to get to the peak before the rain came in. We were hoping for trail magic...but there was none. Lots of tourists though. It was Easter weekend and many people were there with their cars to see the views. Ugh...If they only knew we hiked over 200 miles to get there. On the north side we had to hike through lots of snow on the ground. Very slick.  

CHARLES BUNION - 5375 FT

JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 12, 2004

Tricorner Knob Shelter to Standing Bear Farm

Todays Miles = 18.1    Total Miles = 237.4    To Go = 1936.7

Left Tricorner in a down pour. Hiked our longest miles to get to a dry warm place. Standing Bear Farm is a hostel just off the trail. Everything made of trees from the property. Funny Drunk Hostel Owner. Great flowing stream going right under the cabin we stayed in. Small hut for laundry, and one for cooking and eating, outdoor library area, an outdoor shower and a great fire pit that we all hung out at till midnight. Great experience.

Standing Bear Farm

JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 13, 2004

Standing Bear Farm to Roaring Fork Shelter

Todays Miles = 1485    Total Miles = 255.9    To Go = 1918.2

MAX PATCH - 4629'

This morning we woke to a complete down pour. Started hiking and got soaked real fast. Eventually the cold rain went away and the sun came out - became very hot and steamy. later the fog came and it got really cold again. The fog got worse and the wind picked up and it started to sleet. We hiked up Max Patch - it was horrible. Couldn't see 2 feet in front of you. I hated Max Patch and couldn't wait to get off it. I'm sure it is beautiful on a sunny day though - but now, I hate it. We heard it was suppose to snow at higher elevations, so we hiked on past the campsite we planned to stay at, since it was just past Max Patch. By the tine we got to the shelter it was so cold, we barely could cook. We just wanted to put on every piece of clothing we had with us and crawl into our sleeping bags. Then the snow started - UGH! Went to bed freezing - a tent probably would have been warmer. All night - snow blowing into the shelter onto my face. I just wanted to cry. Our sleeping bags were soaked and covered in snow.

 

 

JOURNAL ENTRY - APRIL 14, 2004

15 miles to HOT SPRINGS

Miserable morning. No cooking or hot cocoa. Just pack up and go and get to lower elevations. I even put on my hiking clothes over my pjs to try and stay warm. My boots were frozen, along with my hands - made it really hard to tie the laces. Going to the bathroom was a treat. Not only did I have a tough time digging a hole with frozen hands and a frozen ground, I had to drop my pants and be bare bottom in the snow. Finally - HOT SPRINGS, NC! Rest!

 

 

First Email Update. April 2, 2004

From: Jen Sober <jennifersober@yahoo.com>
Subject: first update
Date: Friday, April 2, 2004, 4:59 PM

Hey Everyone! Well, i just wrote out this long email to you all and for some reason it disappeared on me when i hit spell check. So, since there are people waiting, i will try to be quick and not do a spell check.

Sean and i have been doing really well. Our packs are much too heavey, 45 and 51 pounds (10 lbs each over our target). Due to the weight our feet are taking a beating. I have been able to get beyond the blisters and the pain, but Sean is still dealing with it to a point (it is a lot better for him though). We are now at our first stop off the trail. It is wonderful. To take a shower, use a toilet, have a bed and do laundry - we are in heaven. For those looking at your maps, we got off at wallace gap, near Franklin NC. 25 miles into NC, just south of US 64.

We have seen some interesting animals - had a sleepless night in a shelter one night on top of Blood Mtn. woke to a rat's butt sticking out of my back pack and a few hours later a skunk sitting 2 feet in front of our feet. On a nicer side, we looked out our tent one night after hearing some noises and it was this huge deer 5-10 feet from our tent.

We had great weather our first 7 days. 60's while hiking but really cold at night, but dry. Last 3 nights were pretty bad - bad rain storm, then 2 nights and 2 days of snow. Was really cold sleeping in the tent while snowing - brrrrr - and everything wet and having to pack it up all wet for the next night just to get in a damp cold tent again. Was cold hiking in the snow too, but so beautiful. We got a picture that we will send soon. Luckily we got to Wallace gap when we did, cause the snow got worse and they say this morning it was a white out and snowing even more!!!!! Some hikers had to get forest rangers to drive them to town to get warm and dry.

We will be back onthe trail tomorrow. The moisture should be gone and our stuff will be dry for a few days, well somewhat dry...everything gets damp each night from condensation in the night.

I know i am missing a lot, i promise to give more info inthe next email. Since there are some waiting to use the internet.

We will be able to get online again in about 10 days, our next time off the trail (north of the smokies) We are going to look forward to that.

Sean is doing great out there. He can complain lot on hte climbs but he does them. He is making my pack a bit heavier to try and slow me down on the climbs, i agreed to it as long as he stays positive while going up ;-)

we are know well as "fast hikers" and slow campers. We don't get out of camp till 2-3 hours after everyone else. But always catch up. We all know why we are getting out of camp so slowly now don't you.....Your dear friend...TURTLE (although we are up at 6:30 am each morning, it is just the packing up thing) We will get there though. Once we can get out of camp at a good time, we will really rock through the mountains.

Seriously...i am very proud of Sean and you all would be so impressed if you could see him hiking each day. He hangs in there and doesn't give up.

We are having the experience of our life time!!!! And we can't wait to share more with all of you.

Looking forward to hearing from you on our next stop (via email)

Happy Trails

 

Live LIfe!!! Be Happy!

Jen & Sean :-)

 

PS- you all have to read the book "a walk in the woods" by Bill Bryson. It is funny and gives you an idea of what we are doing. And how the weather is crazy in the mtns.

Miss you all!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREAT WATER SOURCE

We had to filter our water from sources that sometimes would be great full streams or waterfalls and others a little puddle - ick!

BAD WATER SOURCE

Journal Entry March 31, 2004

JOURNAL ENTRY - MARCH 31, 2004

Standing Indian Shelter to Better Creek Gap

Todays Miles = 12.2      Total Miles = 84.2        Miles To Go = 2089.9

Yesterday, we got to Standing Indian Shelter and it was packed, so we tented it. It was a frigid freezing night. Woke up with snow on the ground. Oh my, my fingers and toes were so cold I couldn't even feel them. About 2 miles into our hike we ran into our hometown friends Julia and Mike. It was so great to see them. And on such a cold but beautiful day. We hiked with them until they reached the shelter they were camping at for the night. We went on a few more miles to Betty Creek Gap. Another cold snowy night. Many winter storm advisories and wind warnings. We look forward to tomorrow. Wallace Gap. It will be our first night off the trail. We will be able to get warm and dry out our stuff.

PICs & JOURNAL ENTRIES from 1st week on our AT Thru Hike 10 years ago

WEEK 1 - MARCH 23 - MARCH 30, 2004 

PACK WEIGHT
SEAN                            JEN
40 LBS     GOAL      35 LBS
50 LBS   ACTUAL    45 LBS

Sean tapping first white blaze of the AT.
Every morning from Springer to Katahdin,
hHe started our hike by tapping the 1st white
blaze we came across. 

 JOURNAL ENTRY - March 23, 2004

Springer Mt to Hawk Mt. Shelter



Total Miles = 8.5                Miles To Go= 2165.6

FIRST STEPS



Here we are...our first night. 8.5 miles into a 2000+ mile hike. Today was the first day of a big adventure. We felt great at the beginning of the day as my Mom and big brother Scott hiked with us the first mile. After a few long hills and 2 hours later - on came the aches - hotspots, back pain, butt pain etc.... But it didn't stop us. You could 'hear' the determination in our silence.  Our rhythm was never broke. There wasn't a second or a step that went by today that Sean didn't amaze me and impress me. I could see it in his eyes how excited he was. Right from the start, as he held my hand and kissed me as we stepped onto the trail and took our first steps. 

We are in our tent now, about to call it a night - at 7:47 pm :-) only 5-7 hours earlier than we normally go to bed. It is quite cold tonight, in the 20's. Well, till tomorrow- lets hope we aren't too sore!


First Stream Crossing

 




JOURNAL ENTRY - March 24, 2004
Hawk Mt Shelter to Campsite
Today's Miles=10          
Total Miles = 18.5     
To Go = 2155.6
We planned to hike 7 miles today to Gooch Shelter. But we got there @1:30 and felt like there was so much day left. So we decided to keep hiking till we felt like stopping and found a flat spot to pitch our tent. We found the perfect place in this gap. No one else was there, very private - loved it. Last night sleeping wasn't too bad. A bit chilly for the first night out here. A bit confined. Have to get use to being in tight quarters in a tent - no king size bed anymore. Had instant coffee and pop tarts for breakfast, packed up camp and made a trip to the shelters PRIVY! Quite beautiful in an odd scary smelly way. The views from the toilet were amazing! Pooing has never been so scenic. Blisters starting to form today. At camp tonight, we had a very nice fire and enjoyed the evening at camp. Tomorrow should be interesting - no privy - will have to dig a hole.

 

BLOOD MOUNTAIN



 

JOURNAL ENTRY - March 25, 2004

Campsite to Blood Mt Shelter

Today's Miles = 11.5      Total Miles = 30     To Go = 2144.1

Cold night last night, was up off and on so didn't get much sleep. Woke up with a bad case of vertigo and still feeling dizzy. The elevation changes today were unreal - who knew Georgia had such amazing huge mountains. The legs & feet are doing horrible. Feet are on fire, blisters and feel like bones are sticking out of my feet. My muscles feel like I did a marathon the day before and doing one the next day and the next day and the next and so on. We toughed out the day ending at Blood Mt. What a beautiful site it is from up here on top of this mtn. A cool Stone Shelter, with so many large boulders and cliffs to enjoy the views from. The sunset over the mountain peaks was a vision I will have forever iin my mind. Those that didn't make it up here tonight really missed out. Good Night.

 

JOURNAL ENTRY = March 26, 2004 (my Birthday :-)

Blood Mt Shelter to Boggs Creek Camp

Today's Miles = 5.8       Total Miles = 35.8      Miles To Go = 2138.3

Short hike today. Yesterday just about killed us. I will always remember the sunset at Blood Mtn. But that's not it - OH NO! We didn't sleep much. Nope. And not because of people. Around 12:30 am, I was hearing little noises. Nothing much, but enough to keep me awake. At one point, felt like something real little and light jumped on my sleeping bag. But that is only the beginning. 2:30 am, a lot of shuffling around by the back packs and scratching noises. Sean heard it too. Hmmmm I wonder what it is? Sean clicked on his headlamp at our packs and wouldn't you know it we were looking at a Rats Fat Ass sticking out of my pack. YUCK!!!! Whimper whimper. Sean scared it out of the shelter and we saw a bunch of little mice too. Im sure the mice were what was jumping on me. oh yeah....no way I was falling back asleep. 2 hours later-more noises. We assumed the rat was back. Sean put his light on again ready to scare it away, but it was not the rat...oh no...it was a SKUNK!!! So we sat quietly and let the skunk leave on its own. Morning finally came, after no sleep, we cooked breakfast (instant oatmeal), packed up, put on our damp clothes from the dew. Today is my birthday....until the afternoon it was not the greatest. We hiked 3 miles into Neels Gap where we came to a Hostel and outfitter on the trail at a road crossing. We stayed there for about 4 hours - took a shower, ate ice cream and washed out clothes. Suddenly my birthday was turning out brighter. Sean put a candle in a pint of ice cream for me. It was so sweet and so special. At camp we met many new hikers. heard an owl as we all sat by the campfire. So, today ended up being a great day, after a dreadful night and morning.

 

MARCH 30, 2004
GOOD BYE GEORGIA HELLO NORTH CAROLINA
75.4 miles down 2098.7 To Go

LIVE LIFE! BE HAPPY!

Our adventures on the APPALACHIAN TRAIL - 10 years ago!

Date: Monday, March 22, 2004, 8:36 PM

Hey Everyone

The moment is finally here. We have been talking about this hike for 6 years now. What we thought would only be "talking" has now become a reality. We will begin hiking the AT tomorrow (Tuesday) late morning. We are so blessed to be given this opportunity. This hike would not be possible without ALL of you.

We wanted to send an email out to all of you to -

One - Thank you all for your support and encouragement

Two - to let you know our adventure is beginning

Some of you have asked for us to email you our mail drop list. I have attached it to this email.

For those of you that wish to try and meet us on the trail somewhere, you can use the email updates to get an idea of when we will be in your area. If it looks like you can meet up on the trail let us know. We will then figure out a meeting spot etc...

We look forward to sharing our moments with you via email. In the end we will plan to have a party to share our pictures and stories (one in Georgia for those down south and one in Deep Creek for those up north).

We are so excited to start hiking and camping for the next 6 months.

Till our next email...Happy Trails.

Live Life! Be Happy!

Sean & Jen :-)

All our belongings for the next 6 months. To be carried on our backs. YIKES

Winter Running

Get ready for some more frigid temps over the next 10 days. Below learn more about winter layering for your running days over the rest of winter. Based on temperature and wind chill will result in the more layers. 

Happy Winter Running!

Coaching season is about to begin! Pick your "A" race now and sign up for some online coaching to get you to your goals easier and more successful!

Check out the "COACHING tab here on my website for more information!

WINTER LAYERING

Layers depend on how cold it is. 

Colder = more layers.

HEAD & NECK

Thermal hat: A fleece or wool hat is perfect for keeping your head warm during winter runs

Neck Gaiter: Extremely valuable on a frigid, windy day to protect your neck and face. You can pull it up over your mouth to warm the air you're breathing in, which is especially helpful when you first start your run.

Chapstick/Vaseline: Protect your lips from chapping with some Chapstick or Vaseline. You can also use the Vaseline on your nose and cheeks (or anywhere else on your face) to prevent windburn and chapping.

Gloves/Mittens: You can lose as much as 30% of your body heat through your extremities, so it's important to cover those hands.

Sun Glasses: will help the wind from stinging the eyes and making them watery.

LOWER BODY LAYERING

Tights/Running Pants: Your legs generate a lot of heat so you don't need as many layers on your lower body. You can usually wear just a pair of tights or running pants made of synthetic material such as Thermion, Thinsulate, Thermax, Coolmax, polypropolene, and/or silk. If it's below 10 degrees F (temperature or wind chill), you may want to consider two layers on your lower body: a wicking layer of tights, and a wind-proof layer such as track pants.

Socks: Never wear cotton socks (in cold or warm weather) when running because they won't wick away the moisture, leaving your feet wet and prone to blisters. Instead, be sure to wear a good pair of wicking socks made of fabrics such as acrylic, CoolMax, or wool (in the winter).

UPPER BODY LAYERING

Not only do layers trap body heat, they allow sweat to move through the layers of clothing. The moisture is wicked away from your first layer to your outer layers, and then evaporates.

Wicking Base Layer: The layer closest to your body should be made from a synthetic wicking material, such as DryFit, Thinsulate, Thermax, CoolMax, polypropolene, or silk. This will wick the sweat away from your body, keeping you dry and warm. It's very important to make sure you don't wear cotton for this layer because once it gets wet, you'll stay wet.

Insulating Layer: Your second or middle layer- an insulating material, such as fleece. This layer must continue wicking moisture away from the skin. It should have the perfect balance of trapping some air to keep your warm, yet release enough vapor or heat to avoid overheating.

Wind- and Water-proof Outer Layer: This layer should protect you against wind and moisture (rain, sleet, snow), but at the same time allow both heat and moisture to escape to prevent both overheating and chilling. It's a good idea to wear a jacket with a zipper for this layer, so that you can regulate your temperature by zipping it up and down. Suggested outer layers: ClimaFit, Gore-Tex, Microsuplex, nylon, Supplex, and Windstopper.

 If it's between 10 and 40 degrees F, you can usually get away with a wicking base layer and an outer layer.

SHOES:

When roads or trails are icy, yaxtrax or something similar are a good option to put over shoes to grip the ice and prevent slipping.

FIT WITH JEN

www.fitwithjen.blogspot.com

jennifersober@yahoo.com

301-616-8808