I am planning a section hike from Springer Mt, GA to Rock Gap NC. Are there any shuttles that could get me from Standing Indian Campground back to Springer? Also, any suggestions on how much food to carry before re-supply. Where can I re-supply at? and how long should I plan for (days wise) if hiking 8-12 miles/day?What would be the best/lightest source to purify my water? Any help or suggestions about this section of the AT would be much appreciated. Thanks
jason
Jason, You could just go a mile or so past Rock Gap to Wallace Gap and head down to Rainbow Springs Campground. I was through there in 2002 and they did some shuttling. I think there are new owners now. I bet they still shuttle though, but you could call them. You can resupply at Neels Gap which is 30 miles from Springer. I’m doing this from memory, but you can hitch to Helen, GA from Unicoi Gap (about mile 50), or hitch to Hiwassee, GA from Dick’s Creek Gap (about mile 66). I think I did Springer Mt to Wallace Gap in 9 days in 2002, averaging a little over 11 miles per day. I use a PUR Hiker water filter but am toying with using chemical stuff to save weight. You can read many journals on this site to get a feel for that part of the trail. My journal covering that section is in 2002, under the name davepaumen (I don’t have a trail name). I did the section from Fontana Dam this year and my journal in 2003 is under the name davepaumen2. I mention this because the last entry in the 2003 journal has a detail listing of my gear. Browse that if you are interested in what I carried. I hope this helps, and good luck. Do you plan to post a journal after the hike>
davepaumen
Jason -
Give Fred Woodward a call at 706-745-5188 he can do that shuttle. Re-supply at Mountain Crossings @ Neels Gap or you can mail a supply box to them. www.mountaincrossings.com for more info. The hostel is also open year round now hot showers, ben & jerry’s and laundry machines. The best next re-supply is in Haiwassee (3-4 days). It’s an easy 9 mile hitch off of Hwy 76 and worth it-- when that belly starts calling you for junk food. You can then get enough to get you back to standing indian for the finish.
PS: Helen is an option, but a hard hitch on weekdays.
Water sources are good on the trail… you will be fine using Aquamira for purification, weighs 2oz.
Just Pass’in thru, thank you…Billy Bumblefoot
B. Bumblefoot
I recently section hiked last Sept and again in Feb from Springer to Standing Indian Mountain. If you’re interested, my trail journal is under “Zydecajun”. It might answer some of your questions. Have a great hike. I’m continuing from Standing Indian and going to Fontana Dam the third weej of October. Maybe we’ll run into each other.
Zydecajun
You can do that section with no more than 4 days of food at anytime. If it is hot you even have to make yourself eat. We sectioned GA in 2000 and then went thru there again on our thru hike in 2002. It is a fun section…lots of PUDs (Pointless Ups and Downs). Use the chemicals and cut some weight. I didn’t filter any water in GA and NC and had no problem. Enjoy your hike.
Papa Smurf
Thanks for the help guys… I’m going to give Fred a call to see if he can give me a ride. Just bought some auqamira for the trip. I’m thinking about getting a new gregory whitney internal for the trip, but i have to see how the funds are.:happy Gonna post a journal too being as it will be the longest hike i’ve done so far and i’m sure i’ll have some interesting things to tell. Onward bound…
jason