Carter Gap Shelter - bad news from home

   Red Bull hiked to the Carter Gap Shelter at mile 93.9 (12 miles today).  I was unable to respond when he texted, because I was in the mountains of West Virginia with a family emergency.  I apologized when I was in an area with cell reception again, and explained the situation.
  Red Bull is alone, and a bit down.

Muskrat Creek Shelter - North Carolina!

   Red Bull hiked to the Muskrat Creek Shelter, NORTH CAROLINA at mile 81.4 (about 15 1/2 miles).
Sounds like he is on his own.  I asked how he was doing, his response ; "I'm tired".
I told him to sleep well, and that I loved him.  He answered; "Love yiutoo"
Yes... he is tired!

12 Miles from North Carolina!

Red Bull took off on his own today!  One guy stayed in town, and the other was moving too slow.
He is on AT mile 66 (hiked over 13 miles today), stopped at Deep Gap Shelter.
Sunny Skies... while it is rainy here at home!
12 miles to North Carolina!

He requested I send him photos of when he was little, so I sent him 6.  He was such a cute little guy!

Palmyra, New York
Red Bull age 9

Stream with Cascade - photo

Photo by Red Bull

                        Looking at the photos Red Bull posted on instagram, and the date...
                    I am guessing this is the "Stream with Cascade" on mile 46.6 of the A.T.

Taking a Zero Day!

   Red Bull, JBear and Weird Al are taking a zero day today!  A zero day is a day for a little R&R, and hiking zero miles!
They must be enjoying hanging out in town, watching movies on TV, and those soft pillows, etc...

 

 

Staying in a Tourist Town... All You Can Eat Buffet!

   Red Bull is staying in the tourist town of Hiawassee, Georgia.  He and two hiking companions (JBear and Wierd Al) are splitting the cost of a room at the Hiawassee Budget Inn.

   They hiked to mile 52.9 on the AT (not quite 10 miles for the day).  When I spoke to him he was at an all you can eat buffet.  Dad said that was cheating...  I believe with all the hiking, the wide variety of food and caloric intake is wonderful for him!

this is a random stock photo

   Enjoy the comfy bed while you can Red Bull!


                     

Peanut Butter Tortillas x 2

Aaron hiked to Low Gap Shelter mile 43.2 on AT  (not quite 11 miles for the day).

He plans to go into Hiawassee, Georgia tomorrow.  It is a tourist town with white water rafting, tubing, etc...  I asked if he planned to do any of those things, his answer; "No, it doesn't sound like fun.  I want to hike."

I asked what he was eating for dinner, "Peanut butter tortilla."
I reminded him he had that for lunch, and asked if he had anything else.
"Yes, but I want the tortillas."

Peanut Butter on Tortillas
Lunch AND Dinner!

Found New Guide Book and Blaze Painter!

   Red Bull finally located a new guidebook, not water logged!

   Hiked to mile 32.8 (12  miles today), spending the night at Bull Gap Spring.

   I asked him what was the best thing he had seen so far, his response; "this mattress".
   He has a little self infalting air mattress.

   I tried again... his response; "The guy painting blazes was pretty chill."
   I asked why, he said; "He was just chill."

   I asked what he was doing now "Wishing I didn't pitch my tent on a hill."
   I told him there was still sunlight left, he could move it.
   Response; "It's far too late."

   One tired red Bull!

White Blaze - Appalachian Trail Marker

First Hostel Experience - Photo

  Red Bull caught a shuttle into town today!  He is having his first experience staying at a Hostel!
He hiked to mile 20.8 (5 miles) to Suches, Georgia.  He is stocking up on necessities, and is staying at the Wolfpen Gap Hostel.

Wolfpen Gap Hostel - photo by Red Bull

   Was hoping to find a new guidebook.  His got soaked in the rain.  No luck.

   Doing great Red Bull!

Red Bull Going Strong!

   Red Bull hiked to the Gooch Mountain Shelter 15.8 miles onto the AT.  That is 13 miles for day 2 of his over 2,190 mile journey!

  Stay strong Red Bull!

 

On the Trail! - photo

Commemorative Thru-Hiker Registration Tag
sent in the mail by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Photo by Red Bull's Family

Red Bull hiked the entire approach trail, and began hiking the Appalachian Trail his first day.

   He spent his first night at the Stover Creek Shelter area, located 2.8 miles onto the Appalachian Trail.  Combine that with the 8.5 miles of approach trail, and he hiked over 11 miles his first day.

   For future posts we will be listing the number of miles onto the AT (Appalachian Trail) he is, but he will have always hiked that extra 8.5 miles not included in those totals.

  Way to go Red Bull!

And He's Off!!! - photos

   "Red Bull" is off!

   We arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia in the morning.  Red Bull signed the 2016 "Thru-hiker" registration book at the Visitor's Center, he was hiker number 1,623.

   A wonderful guide helped do a "shake down" of his pack and gear, she completed her thru-hike in December!  She saw he was very well  prepared, and only suggested letting go of a couple of small items; fire starter kit, multi function tool, etc...  The only thing she suggested adding was dryer sheets to use as insect repellent.  She told him there were currently several sections of the trail closed due to fires, but believed they would be open again by the time he got to those areas.

Appalachian Approach Trail
Amicalola Falls, Georgia
photo by Red Bull's Family

   We did a photo shoot at the famed "arch" where the 8 1/2 mile approach trail begins for the Appalachian Trail (Springer Mountain, Georgia).  We then did a mini hike together to see the Amicalola Falls, very beautiful.  It drops over 730 feet, and is the highest waterfall in Georgia.   Amicalola is Cherokee for "tumbling waters.

Amicaclola Falls, Georgia
photo by Red Bull's Family

This is where we parted.  I watched him climbing the 604 steps to the top of the falls, and disappearing as the stairs twisted into the foliage,  It was very hard to say goodbye.  I have said goodbye to his four older siblings as we dropped them off at college on the other side of the country, but this was different.  He is making his way over 2,190 miles on his own, in the forest.

photo by Red Bull's Family

  Godspeed Red Bull, you are  in our prayers.