Our Dream Adventure

OUR DREAM ADVENTURE...

In 2014/2015 we are taking some 'Time Out' and planning an adventure trip of a lifetime.

We will start with a six month thru hike of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail or 'AT' for short. A 2186 mile (3500km) trail running along the eastern United States of America.

Next we will be taking a break from daily hiking (there will be some hiking involved though!) and will be going on an amazing three month adventure holiday through South America.

Finally, back to thru hiking again. This time five to six months in New Zealand hiking the Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail ('TA' for short). A 1865 mile (3000km) trail spanning the whole of New Zealand.

We have set up this Blog so that family, friends and anyone else who is interested, can follow our adventure which will include blogs about our planning and preparation stages as well as our whole amazing trip.

(So not to bore you with too much information, if you wish to read or learn more about what The Appalachian Trail and the Te Araroa Trail are all about see the 'Links' below the three maps in the left hand column.)

Christine & Nigel xxx



Saturday, 12 July 2014

Day 142 Piazza Rock Lean-to to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

Today's miles 16.9.  AT miles 1983.6

I keep saying it but today was another tough day over four mountains, still enjoyable though.  We left camp just after 7am.  It was warm and sunny again.  We had a four mile, 2000ft, uphill climb to Saddleback Mountain 4120ft which wasn't too bad.  We emerged above tree line on the way to the summit to some fantastic views again.  We stopped on the summit for a snack break enjoying the views.  From Saddleback Mountain we could see the trail ahead of us, it was a dip down and then up again to The Horn 4032ft. Again lovely landscape and views with some pretty alpine plants.

The descent from The Horn was very steep for about a mile, we then had a steep climb back up again to Saddleback Junior.  We stopped here again for another break for half an hour in the sun. Down again afterwards, another short but steep descent to Poplar Ridge Lean-to then a three mile descent down to Orbeton Stream @1550ft.  Our guide book said we would need to ford the stream but again we were able to rock hop across.  The benefits of a few dry days = low river levels.  We rested again here for a short while and topped up our water supplies.

Our last climb of the day, 1700ft, three miles, up to Lone Mountain 3260ft.  A steep short sharp rocky climb up from the stream then a steady climb which got steeper towards the end, the trail went through some lovely forest on the way up.  Once at the top it was a further two flattish miles to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to where we arrived at 5:45.  We got the last available tent spot, the shelter area is overrun with a group of French Canadian schoolgirls - it's not a nice peaceful quiet camp spot tonight, they did settle down around 8:30 though.
























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