Countdown to Amicalola: Springer Saturday #10

This nondescript gravel road (not pictured: gravel) is USFS 42. This is the primary road to reach Springer Mountain trailhead, and the first road crossing of the NOBO Appalachian Trail. This was quite rough when my parents and I went up to Springer, but when Erin and I visited a couple years ago they had regraded and graveled the road, and it was in OK condition. I bet it's a lot closer to this picture right now.

Date: March 14, 2015
Current Week: 03/11/15 - 03/17/15
Days until Amicalola: 11
Pounds to next weight goal: 2.4 (-3.8)
Total gained Last Week: 1.6
Total Lost Entire Period: 13.8
Weight Goals Met: 0
Minutes Exercised, Yesterday: 15
Minutes Exercised, Last Week: 181
Minutes Exercised, Week: 95
Miles Hiked, Yesterday: 0.00
Miles Hiked, 2015: 3.76

After two less than stellar days, I was able to rein things in on Friday, and look to be back on track. Just in time for a weekend with some friends from high school to send it heading back the other way. Oh well, I suppose this is a cushion for tonight.

Countdown to Amicalola: Springer Saturday #6

The Appalachian Trail is not the only trail to start atop Springer Mountain. Also leaving from there is the Benton MacKaye trail, a long distance trail that goes from Springer Mountain to Davenport Gap at the east end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is named after Benton MacKaye, who came up with the initial idea of the AT.

Date: February 14, 2015
Current Week: 02/11/15 - 02/17/15
Days until Amicalola: 39
Pounds to next weight goal: 6.4 (+2.2)
Total loss Last Week: 3.0
Weight Goals Met: 0
Minutes Exercised, Yesterday: 30
Minutes Exercised, Last Week: 187
Minutes Exercised, Week: 97
Miles Hiked, Yesterday: 0
Miles Hiked, Week: 0
Miles Hiked, 2015: 2.66

As expected, Friday was an up day on the whole for me. Today may be as well, although I didn't have lunch so I might squeak in under the wire for this one. Not much more to say about that.

Countdown to Amicalola: Springer Saturday #4

The Springer Mountain Shelter. All along the trail these are placed roughly 8-15 miles apart (i.e. a day's hike) and can be used in lieu of a tent. 

Date: January 31, 2015

Current Week: 01/28/15 - 02/4/15
Days until Amicalola: 53
Pounds to next weight goal: 9.2 (+4.2)
Total Loss Last Week: 2.2
Weight Goals Met: 0
Minutes Exercised, Yesterday: 30
Minutes Exercised, Last Week: 250
Minutes Exercised, Week: 111
Miles Hiked, Yesterday: 0
Miles Hiked, Week: 1.5
Miles Hiked, 2015: 1.5

One problem with keeping a daily journal is that can feel like a roller coaster. Today's weight recording is a good example of this problem. I'm a bit perplexed at the result's considerable reversal. It's not that I wasn't anticipating a bit of a reverse. I did have a bigger dinner after a typically big lunch yesterday, and I did break my 8:00 PM rule for a small late night snack. However, this shouldn't have resulted in that much of an increase.

Countdown to Amicalola: Springer Saturday #3

The Appalachian Trail on its way towards Katahdin. This is pretty close to the summit of Springer Mountain.

Date: January 24, 2015
Current Week: 01/21/15 - 01/27/15
Days until Amicalola: 60
Pounds to next weight goal: 11.0 +1.2
Total Loss Last Week: 0.8
Weight Goals Met: 0
Minutes Exercised, Yesterday: 27
Minutes Exercised, Last Week: 179
Minutes Exercised, Week: 77
Miles Hiked, Yesterday: 0
Miles Hiked, Week: 1.5
Miles Hiked, 2015: 1.5

So I took it a bit too easy last night, got up early this morning, and that resulted in a not so good day. That's OK, these kind of days happen. I did end up walking for 27 minutes on Friday, so at least I got some exercise in. I still think this week is going to turn out fine, helped by over four miles of walking earlier today (more on that tomorrow).

Countdown to Amicalola: Springer Saturday #2

Springer Saturday #2 is a sign pointing the way towards Springer Mountain. For SOBO hikers not hiking to Amicalola, it's 0.9 miles up, then 0.9 back down to the trailhead parking lot.

Date: January 17, 2015
Current Week: 01/14/15 - 01/20/15
Days until Amicalola: 67
Pounds to next weight goal: 11.4 (0.0)
Total Loss Last Week: 5.6
Weight Goals Met: 0
Minutes Exercised, Yesterday: 20
Minutes Exercised, Last Week: 140
Minutes Exercised, Week: 75
Miles Hiked, Yesterday: 0
Miles Hiked, Week: 0
Miles Hiked, 2015: 0

Writing this entry at 10:30 at night reveals the weird nature of this journal. Even though I spent much of this morning hiking at Starved Rock, this actually can't be counted until tomorrow's journal. Even considering that, the short yet important hike will also have its own post. So I suppose you'll have to wait until tomorrow (or Monday) for the details on that hike. The short version is that there are two big things to see at Starved Rock in the winter: icefalls and bald eagles. I saw both in my quick side trip to Illinois' most popular state park on they way to Central Illinois.