3 Days on the AT: Carver's Gap thru the "Humpties"

For pictures check out http://picasaweb.google.com/ben.loho/3DaysOnTheAT which is a 90+ picture album of the trip.

Here are some of my journal entries:

July 15, 2008 11:30 PM

I have decided to document this trip, not only because I have done such a bad job at documenting my summer, but because I really believe this trip is going to be flat-out sweet. There are 16 of us, 3 leaders and 13 kids ages 12-16. We left camp today sometime after lunch and 6 hours and a time zone change later we finally arrived at the Roan Mt. State Park in the Cherokee National Forest. We are still in Tennessee but we could see the "Welcome to NC" sign from the parking lot. We came in and set up camp in the dark, there are six tents up spread around the uneven and rooted ground. Larry just called ou the "everybody quiet and light out" warning, but it has yet to make its full effect on two of the tents. From my understanding we have a pretty early morning tomorrow, but I'm not quite sure what that means. We are hiking 15 miles over the next two days, Carver's Gap to the Barn tomorrow. This is an amazing opportunity to get to come and I am looking forward to seeing God's beauty and pushing these kids on. God has really taught me today to appreciate life with each breath and the lives of those around me, thos who are dear to me. Life is really a vapor and if we spend our time getting ourselves to fit in with the world, to make oursleves comfortable and store our treasures here on earth, then we've wasted our time. Every second is so precious...living in the light of God's Kingdom is so freeing. Man, I think I'm really gonna enjoy this hike.

July 16, 2008 7:30 AM

Well, this morning didn't come as early as I thought it would, though it did come a whole lot faster than expected. I just read 1 Peter 1 and it is incredible to have read things I finished up my last entry with, being strangers in this world amd things here fading away.

9:45 AM

We are about to depart, starting at an elevation over 5000 feet. Larry and I made the car transfer this morning. It is gorgeous weather, what a blessing. It is obvious that we will have to work for our reward today.

2:00 PM

We arrived at the Barn about 30 minutes ago and it is absolutely beautiful here. From where I am right now I am looking down into a valley with mountains to the right and left, and just in front of me is a big grassy field filled with flowers and bees, along with a family of really pretty fir trees sitting in the middle of it all. The group just came back from the spring with more water and those of us here have been gathering firewood. We are about to build ourselves a sweat lodge. It is gorgeous here and it amazes me that hundreds of people come through places like this every day and yet do not see the hand of God...the CREATOR. 6.7 miles down 8.5 to go.

10:45 PM

We just got a visit by some park rangers who thought we had sent out a distress signal with our lights. Dinner tonight consisted of hot dogs and biscuits cooked over the fire, with cheesecake for dessert to top it all off. Right now, laying out on the bottom floor of the barn with an open wide view of the full moon reigning over the mountains, I feel such a sense of gratitude to be here...to be alive. And if God can create such a beautiful temporary home than I cannot even imagine the scope and magnitude of greatness that will come with our permanent home. If we are merely strangers and aliens, wanderers, how does our lifestyle match up to that. Well, tomorrow morning we hike through the "Humpties" which is Little Hump and Big Hump; a more difficult hike with rewarding views that will take much effort.

July 17, 2008 7:15ish AM
This morning I woke up to the most beautiful view of landscape I think I have ever woken up to. Our stuff sacks full of food seem to be hanging from the ceiling in one piece still, safe from the rodents.

Sometime before noon(10:30?)
WOW! We have reached the bald of Little Hump. The views that were seen were simply unbelievable and unexplainable; you have to see it to understand. We are 5300+ feet up with no hindrances for viewing in any direction. At the start the trail was dead straight up, but the view back at the barn was a good remedy for the difficulty…beautiful. We then went through a wooded area which eventually cleared into a wide open uphill hike with great landscape, tall grass, and plenteous flowers. The sun is out and the breeze is great! We can see all our progress: Roan Mt. and the ridge in front of the barn. Next stop, Big Hump.

2:00 PM
We are in the Hollow after hiking straight down from Big Hump (5900 ft.) for about 2.5 miles. The beginning of that hike was an amazing trail following along the ridge, wide open with great views. Going up to Big Hump was another amazing adventure. It really looked like something out of New Zealand. Halfway up you really have to dig down deep and push on to get up there. Very challenging, difficult, but so rewarding, so beautiful with the Smokeys surrounding us and the cool breeze blowing in our faces. Everyone here has pushed and done things they didn’t think they could do.

July 18, 2008 11:45 AM
Well, we made it back to camp safe and sound with a surprise waiting for the kids. We got in a little before 10 PM and drove straight up to Mt. Sallie. The showers and beds the kids were so eagerly anticipating would have to wait. Instead, we all hiked our packs up to the top, got settled in, and briefed for an all night firewatch. Still one more surprise for them today…an afternoon running in front of a van for about 7 miles. We are still pushing them and seeing changes all around us.

The hike was truly a blessing and it has inspired to get out on the AT again very soon...

in Him,

Ben