Icy Trail - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Ice on the trail around Springer has melted, but yesterday AM (2/28) hikers told me they encountered considerable amounts of icy trails between Neels Gap and Unicoi Gap. The shady sides of the high mts. are icey. One stretch of icy trail just south of Unicoi Gap is about a mile long on a steep pitch so walking aside the trail is impossible, took nearly two hours to hike about a mile.

More snow up high is expected 3/1 and 3/2 from N. Ga into NC and TN. Hopefully the weather will warm quickly, last week birds started their early AM mating calls here at my home near Springer.

I provide shuttles for hikers to/from any point on the AT in GA.; call, we can figure out the best pick up location, how to get you started efficiently at a fare fee. 706-276-2520

Richard Anderson

#2

(we appreciate your continue updates…we’ve got good friends out there who need your continued help, info and encouragement)…we are here on lookout mountain in georgia this morning (about 3 hours drive from springer) and we’ve got snow again…hopefully toward the end of the week we’ll be headed into some warmer weather…in the meantime, i’m gonna make another recomendation for hikers to carry their ‘yak trax’ for icy conditions (you can get them from campmor or at the outfitters)…they’re not the most ‘durable’ product out there, but they will last for one season (ours have lasted two plus)…they are lightweight and they REALLY grip the ice, making travel safer and easier…not so great in snow (and unecessary), but they are pretty amazing on ice!..you do have to watch that you don’t lose them as you hike (we’ve picked up ONE yak trax in shelters several times!)…you can attach a string or velcro, though (or just use the loose end of your shoe string) so that if they do slip off you’ll still have them…i think they’re definitely worth the trouble! (i slipped on ice in the smokies once and hurt my knee pretty bad…my yaks were in my pocket!..DUH!!!)

maw-ee

#3

Carry the Stabilicer Lites which are comparable to the Yak Trax, and, IMHO, much better on ice. Made in Maine, too. The Stabilicer Sport has replaceable cleats, but more $$. :oh

Lady Di

#4

Today, Tuesday, March 2, Snow on the Mt. tops heading north starting at Springer is wet and deep. 7" at Springer MT & FS 42 at 2PM and heavy snow falling, temp holding at 32, forecast to fall into the 20’s. Trees are heavily laden with wet snow, many are bending, adding more fallen trees across the trail, slowing hikers off their pace. Snow stopped by nightfall, warming to near 40 at higher elevations, sunny and warmer through the week.

Richard Anderson

#5

alright!..i just looked at the forecast for some of the mountain towns near the trail and it looks like the good news is that it’s gonna be warming up a little!..the bad news is that it may still be a bit wet…but i figure some rain might melt the snow some?..here’s hoping for some better weather for the ‘class of 2010’!..

maw-ee