It is done

This concludes this blog. I have had a ton of fun doing it..I hope it
has been enjoyable and somewhat informative to you all!
I appreciate those friends and family who took a small amount of time
out of their busy lives to read, comment, text, and email me with your
thoughts (ridiculous, arbitrary and sublime, as they were!). The
communications were great!
Special thanks to my college buddy Bryan who took on the fist 39
miles. He was quite a trooper but best of all, he was great company.
We missed u on the final 60!
And last..congrats to my dad, who is "livin' his dream" and marching
up the AT! I am glad I can help! Helping someone else live their dream
might be the key to finding your own. It might be right in front of
your nose! As for me..I can't wait to see my girls and give them kisses!

OUT

Ron McClarin

Boom! Boom! Pow!

We have completed the 'Happy 100' as we popped out today after
completing the last 7 or so miles. I forgot to mention that last
night, while making stuff up around the campfire (which is what guys
do), a young girl and guy came blowing down the trail. They stopped
for only a minute. They had already hiked 22 miles and were continuing
in the dark. She had pink hair and nose piercings. They had covered
160 miles in 7 days so far. When asked how she prepared to be able to
hike like that, age said "I skateboard. A lot. Like 8 hours a day." if
only my dad had known that was the secret! He could gave hiked a lot
farther. I see this (a skateboard) as his next Christmas present.
The last cruel joke played on us was when we got to Fontana dam, it
was still 1.4 miles to the visitor center (and showers/shuttle pickup
back to our car). And it was rugge up over a small mt! We thought we
were already done. About 30 more grueling, leg seagfibg minutes and we
were.
The attached view was from on top of some mt (I have lost track of all
the goody mt names) looking down on Fontana Dam, NC.

The home stretch

I need to play catchup. Coverage along the NC border was spotty and I
was also running low on battery, as u r always in extended range 'out
here'. So thurs night, we made camp at 7 miles outside of the
Nantahala gorge. 3000 foot climb to get out. It was rough going. Turns
out lots of people had the same idea! About 13 people in the same
spot! 2 people were interesting in particular. 1 guy wandered off into
the woods and then starting wailing the blues on his harmonica. Good
stuff! Makes me want to find mine. So that was a nice change of pace.
Spoke with some of the others, one of which was an ultra marathoner,
triathlete, and outdoor adventure racer. I was amazed that someone
would go to those lengths - beyond sanity, I think. Anyway, it rained
that night. Big shocker.
We blew out of there fri morning with 9 miles in mind, but with about
23 left to go. We went 9, and my dad agreed to plod on. Up and sown we
went until we had gone 15 miles! I know Bryan will be shocked by that!
Way to go dad! We ended up camping with many of the same people as the
night before. We ended up pitching our tent, since the shelter was
crowded. Then it started raining, which stunk, of course. One of the
reasons we could go 15 was because the weather was decent for most of
the day. Anyway, I'm talking to the ultra marathon dude, and he says
he lived in Clearwater fl for 8 years in the 90s. Used to commute to
Tampa. Used to work for IBM. Until that piece was sold to ATT and he
left after that. Hmmm, says I. "your name is..?" "Sean (sp) Butler.
Too funny. We knew of each other from 'back in the day'. That, my
friends, is an 'It's a small world story, after all' story!
And after a 15 mile day..we were done!
7 miles to go to get to the finish line - Fontana Dam, NC.

69 is just a number

In this case, 69 is my dads age! Picture below. The man is right near
the end of our 3000 foot ascent out of the Nantahala River Gorge!
Impressive I think. He was helped by the pizza we had last night. It
was called the 'Lotza Protein' pizza. And he had a blueberry beer.
Each to their own I guess. So, we hikes in the rain again. Am now
sitting in sassafras gap at about 4500 feet. Tomorrow we climb to 5200
feet. Ian told when u get to a mile up, there is a hot tub there! That
would be SO COOL! Had they said the Swedish bikini team was there too,
I'd a known they were lyin'!
Last gap was called Licklog Gap. Gaps are between mt tops called
balds. When I saw the name I thought..I have to know what the story
is. I saw the log. I approached, bent over and went to lick it when my
dad yelled "it might be poisonous!" Or maybe he said "it will poke
your eye out!" so..iguess w'ell never know the magic behind the name.*

*some embellishment may have occurred. This was not a 100% true story.

As of tomorrow, about 20 miles to go..

Good, tough day

We had a real tough day covering almost 12 miles. We climbed to the
top of a ridge in NC and went up and down.. Eventually coming down
some 3000 feet to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The climbs and decents
were rocky and steep. The clouds did break enough for me to get the
pic below. We were some 4500+ ft. My feet are toast. Dads knees are
feelin it. We did snag some beer and pizza in nantahala. Nectar of the
gods. Less than 30 miles to go. Send your love...:)

Mountain man magazine, may 2009 cover

Young, spry, and with a passion for looking out over his domain, Ron
McClarin was recently chosen for the cover of this magazine. Here he
is looking out over the nantahala gap. Had he not selfishly asked his
father to take his picture, his father would have a similar pic on the
front of Sr Mt Man Mag. :)

Interesting people

We got 4 hrs of sunshine yesterday. I was singing "I'm walking in
sunshine, oh yeah, and don't it feel good!"
Then it rained buckets on us again last night. Then the dang mouse got
my protein bars again. The mouse brigade is winning all the battles.
No other real worries.
We have spent the last 2 nights with the same 5 other people. There
are the 3 college kids from tenn. They don't say much. There is Lee
(female) from Boston. Wears a backwards Red sox hat, but is otherwise
not annoying about it. That would be a problem for me! She calls
herself homeless. Been in the army and has done heavy
construction..but is unemployed. She has been hiking right along with
us. She is aimless and without direction, yet..undeniably happy.
Stumbling up the trail. The other woman is from burma. Moved to the US
in 84 to escape bad stuff. Name is Winn. She also calls herself
homeless. Been that way for 3 years. She says she will go back to the
eat race after finishing the 2100 miles of the AT. She also hitch
hikes across Mexico. And she can't spray Spanish. I find this
amazing..no fear, traveling alone..all in about a 110 lb package of a
person. She also has a 30 lb pack. Then there was old man Pat. We
shelters with him during hurricane I. Traveled with a pipe and a
flask. Last job was driving a fuel truck in Iraq. He said the
mortality rate was 50%, but the pay was great. If u made it. He has
done it all. Multiple jobs and wives. So..in the middle of the night,
I see a glow coming from his sleeping bag, he rises up, puts on his
flipflops, and walks in to the hurricane. In the morning, I'm like
'dude, what was that all about?!' he says 'when nature calls, I
answer'. Really. Last two people was Alan and Amanda, husband and
wife. Clearly on his idea of a vacation, not hers. She was a really
good sport though. Down to earth.

Attached picture was last nights shelter. This is kind of a crappy
one, but kept us dry. Now, on to Nantahala- a gap where they held the
whitewater rafting for the Olympics a few years ago.

Joy, and pain, sunshine and rain..or hurricane part II

Joy - it's tues at noon and we are at around 50 miles for the trip. A
beautiful hike
Pain - I need a volunteer to rub my bunions, bone spurs, calves, etc
Sunshine - ummm, yeah. The missing element to this hike.
Rain - shortly after last nights blog was sent, the rains rolled in.
All night. Did I mention there are tin roofs on the shelters? It's
like sleeping in a war zone. Would use the tent but NO, it's STILL
wet! Geezohfreakinpete.

Did see some baby birds crying for food. Just so you know there is
wildlife! Picture attached also shows some good scenery is available.
Well, 6 more miles to go until we stop to try to dry off again. Today
has been like hiking in the clouds so far. Hoping for mr. Golden sun
still today..
Later...:)

1 pot dinner

For those of u who r cooking challenged, u2 can make the 1 pot dinner!
Have your guests hike at least 5 miles to get to your house, and they
will rave about your cooking!

We have landed for Mon night in a shelter. Still no rain (yet). Trying
to dry the tent out. Might need it tomorrow. We had to climb almost
1000 ft to get here. Next shelter is 12 miles and some big ups and
downs in between. And..good night..

Dang mouse part III

Successfully climbed over blood mt this morning. 4500 ft of mostly
rock. Fun. :). After about a 4 mile day, we got off to move to the
next part of the trail and to drop Bryan off. Got to my car..dang
mouse got IN THE CAR. Ate some more oatmeal and protein bars..made a
little bed out of tissues, and was indiscrimanant as to where he went
bathroom. This is WAR!
I have no idea how he got in.
We are now entering at SR64. 3.5 miles to a shelter. About 55 miles to
go. And....they are off!

Ron McClarin

Hurricane season is upon us

Last night, Sunday night, we pushed my dad up the mt..did 13 miles.
Got to woods hole shelter. It rained all day and we were mostly all
wet. Turns out there was more fun to be had! The rains kept comin'! We
went to bed and sometime in the night, it became as close to a
hurricane as I wish to experience. Freight train like sound coming
through the shelter? Check. Can't hear my own voice? Check. Can't see
my hand in front of my face? Check. That was..scary. I feel sorry for
those who camped in a tent..which would have been us if it wasn't all
wet! Smokey (Bryan) did get a fire going briefly last night. That guy
is impressive!

Ron McClarin

View?

Top of big cedar mt on this rainy, rainy day..

Dang mouse part II

Did I mention the mouse got my iPhone? Phone was in a ziplock bag,
under my boots, in the bottom of my bag, covered by a bag cover,
hanging in a tree. See? EveryTHING wants an iPhone. Couldn't figure
out how to turn it on so just nibbled the leather case. Send me a
liitle message. It's not over between us, mouse!!

Calm and then the storm

The attached picture is our campsite on sat night. We had just
completed another 11 mile day. Nice spot with a river next to it.
Cooled our feet and I went ahead and 'dunked the melon' (washed head).
Everything was going well until 8:30 when the skies opened up and
pounded us with rain all night. The tents held up! We packed up in the
rain, after cooking in the rain,..and then we hikes all day..in the
rain! We went 13 miles today as we had to get to a shelter and dry
out. That's sort of happening..it's still raining hard!
So besides the rain, I must add that he who laughs first does not
laugh last! Dang mouse climbed a rope 15 feet in the air, shimmied
down to out food bags..nibbled though MY foodbag and sampled a protein
bar. I guess it's too late to take back the 'nuts' comments. All I can
say is, apparently Bryan is the only one who knows how to properly
stow his nuts.
Healthwise, we are basicly doing great. My dad keeps saying he can
only do 8-10 miles a day. Not sure what that's all about since we are
doing 11-13!
Rumors of bears is 'all the talk' on this mt. Blood mt. Tomorrow we
climb it to 4500 feet and down to neels gap. That will end Bryans
portion of this trip. He will be missed. He is a stud hiker and
willing firebuilder!

Almost the hyatt, etc

Here is my dad and my sleeping accomodations. A little smaller than a
standard hyatt room, but certainly much less expensive! Bryan had
similar. There were prob 12 or so other hikers at the place we
stopped- stover creek shelter. No rain, a little windy last night.
Slept great! IT band is holding up well. Health is good across our
team. This morning, my dad found a mouse had eaten his nuts!
Hmmm..that reads funny. He left some lunch in his pack and the mouse
ate right through it in the night! Through his pack. At least those
dang things can't get in your tent. Unless of course, you are sleeping
with your nuts. :)

The bathroom, etc

Inquiring minds always want to know "like..where is the bathroom?" the
short answer is 'everywhere'. However, on the AT, the hiking clubs
install sort of a permanent portalet, called a privy. Last night,
another hiker saw a doe and her baby, whilst using the facilities.
Seriously..u don't get that at the hyatt!

Made it to springer my!

8.8 miles and 2000 ft higher than where we started, we have made it to
the top of springer mt, the unofficial beginning of the trail. The
part we just did is called the appoach trail. Just a warmup, I guess!
No rain so far. That's good. Feelin good, for the most part. 8 other
bikers are up here, so we are not alone. Would like to push on some
more..seeing if dad is up for it. Like to get down the mt today .
Happy day today! :). Btw, it was bryans car that got the flat. I
realized inquiring minds would want to know! Up the hill, down the
hill...rock on...

And they are off!

Ok...we made it to the starting line! Flat tire 3 miles out though.
Good times. Tired of driving. Let's hike!

Today was a driving day. We made it to Monroe, Ga by 6:30. Rained the whole time. I'm SURE the intent was to get all the rain out of the air - leaving none for tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, etc. The weather forecast suggests otherwise, however. Staring at day after day after day of a 'chance of rain'. Excellent. Love that. Anyway, the 'last supper' was provided by the Parry household. Very appreciated. And a real bed. Going to enjoy that in about 10 minutes. Bryan has his pack together now. He is new to this. He is jacked up about going, which is cool. We are going to get up early and get on the road...should be hitting the trail by 9 or 10, after we drop one car at Neel's Gap, Ga and take the other to Amicalola Falls..where we start with a climb alongside a large waterfall. I want to say it is the highest east of the Mississippi. If that is inaccurate, it doesn't really matter. I think it supports the story better by making that claim. So..don't google it. Accept it. It's the highest! I think we will be ascending into the woods...maybe 2000 feet. Need to cover a minimum of 8-10 miles tomorrow, regardless of weather. I'm not worried. I water proofed my boots. Pretty sure that means I won't get wet. Pack weight is checking in at just under 30 lbs with water, fuel, and the rest of the stuff previously mentioned. Will squeeze in the necessary group pic at the starting line, sometime tomorrow morning. Until then...ciao

Here I sit, sipping a Summit Brewing Co Extra Pale Ale, recognizing that in aproximately 60 hours, my father Don and I, along with one of my best friends from college, Brian Parry, known as"The Beeper" due to his initials, are going to hit the Appalachian Trail. We are starting at Amicalola Falls (not sure I spelled that right), Ga, which is a little north of Atlanta and the official start (or stop) point for the Trail, depending on which way you are headed. It's 2100 miles start to finish. My dad has done...well, I don't know...a lot of miles. Lets say 1000, as I think that sounds pretty good. Give or take a few. I have done...81. I think. We are going to do 100 more miles. We are going to come out at Fontana Dam, North Carolina. It is my intent, God and AT&T willing, to blog my way through this adventure. So, without further ado, the picture uploaded in the first blog, was the pile of stuff I intend to load in my pack. My dad says he thinks we can do this in 20-25 pounds for the first 3-4 days before we reload with more food at Neel's Gap. That sounds good. In my head, I was thinking the pack would weigh 30 pounds. I feel lighter already!

In anticipation of this "180 degrees from what I do every day" experience, I have been participating in unsolicited sleep deprivation. How is it that I have so much on my mind? I need to focus! Like my wife. She is focused. 9 hours at a time. Impressive. Man, I could use a little sleep, as I recall from the last time I was out in the woods, it is the noisiest quiet you could possibly imagine.

So...back to the pack. Carrying a tent, a sleeping bag, some fuel, some cooking stuff, 2 of each clothing item, a book...my iPhone (text me at 813-505-8915)...some oatmeal for breakfast, protein/power bars for lunch, and lipton noodles with chicken or salmon packs for dinner. Oh..and I scored some instant Starbucks coffee at the local shop. Its not for sale yet, but..I have some! That will come in handy each morning. I'm sure of it. So...there you have it. The table is set. The pack is packed. We are on the clock. Driving to Beeper's house near Atlanta on Thursday morning.

WOO DAWG!!! I'm so excited I can't stand it! I've been thinking how fun it would be to blog remotely...say..from the Appalachian Trail! I got my handy iPhone. I work for AT&T, so they will like that I'm doing this. I like to think I'm part of the mobile generation, although some of my friends think otherwise since they had iPhones or Blackberries first, and they had to teach me how to text, how to send pictures, blah blah blah. I don't care. Know why? Because none of those clowns have BLOGGED FROM THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL! LOL So...share my excitement...be excited for me...enjoy the ride! I think this will add a dimension to an otherwise wacky idea of my dad's to walk in the woods for, oh...about 100 miles. And this is not Florida terrain I'm talking about. I think we peak at 5500 feet. But we bounce between like 2500 feet and there....up the hill, down the hill, repeat. Rock on...Let's HIKE!

Mobile blogging

Can he do it? Can he update a blog from his iPhone?! I THINK SO!