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PAGE 2A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. MAY 6. 2021
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What’s some advice for people who want to get into solo
hiking?
Just do it. Be prepared to get addicted and know that you
are the biggest and baddest thing out there. There is nothing
to be scared of, but always be aware of surroundings. Make
sure you have the proper information on the trail and always
let someone else know when and where you are going, and
an estimated time back. Always check the weather. You don’t
want to be on a mountain top in the middle of a lightning
storm. My number one advise is get some trekking poles.
They will save your knees on the down hills.
Shooting the Breeze
Karen Attaway talks all things hiking
Tips to help you prepare for a storm
During the peak of storm season, our greatest concern is for the safety of everyone
who will be affected by a storm. State Farm encourages all residents in the pro
jected path of any storm to protect themselves and their property. State Farm sug
gests the following preparation tips.
Before:
• Safe Room! If you’re at home, pick a place in the home where family members
can gather. One basic rule is AVOID WINDOWS. The safest spot in the home is
the interior part of a basement. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, without
windows, on the lowest floor. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet.
• Create a home inventory: Make a list of your possessions and their estimated
value
After:
• If you have damage, contact your insurance agent/company immediately. State
Farm customers can call 1-800-SF-CLAIM, their agent or report their claim online
at www.statefarm.com
• Stay away from downed power lines.
Clean-Up:
• Examine the area for hazards, including electrical lines, and gas leak smells.
• Document everything - To assist with the insurance claim process, be sure to doc
ument items you throw out. Save your receipts, photograph the items and by making
a room-by-room inventory of missing or damaged goods. Include manufacturers’
names, dates and places of purchase and prices, if possible.
• Do not throw out any expensive items, such as large televisions and furniture,
until authorized by your claim representative
• Find a qualified license contractor - be careful of home restoration scams.
Tips brought to you by:
StateFarm
Alan Horne, Jr., Agent
95 Whitfield Drive, Suite F
Jasper, GA 30143
Bus: 706-692-2888
www.alanhorneinsurance.com
Most of Attaway’s hikes are solo. Here, she stops for a
photo op at Anna Ruby Falls.
By Angela Reinhardt
Staff Writer
areinhardt@pickensprogress.com
“Ajoumey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
That’s the Lao Tzu quote at the bottom of Karen Attaway’s
email to me. Attaway, an avid hiker, took her first hiking steps
in 2015 after losing 80 pounds. She went to Springer Moun
tain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and she’s
been hooked ever since.
Describe a typical hiking week.
With a full-time job, my hiking is for weekends and when
on vacation. I love getting to the trail heads early to avoid the
crowds. All hikes matter - some are short, but my favorites
are big-mile ones where I’m busting out 20 milers that take
all day. I just started backpacking and had my first solo
ovemighter in (mid April). It was amazing. Bigger hikes are
on the way. Through the week I walk every day at Lee New
ton Park - it’s not the same as the woods, but it keeps me
sane.
Have do you log how many miles you’ve hiked?
I started tracking in the beginning but gave up on it since
I’m always out there. I’m working on section-hiking the Ap
palachian Trail and am over mile 100. I’ve also been knock
ing out the Benton MacKaye Trail and got to mile 129 out of
300 but had to put that on hold due to tearing my calf muscle
in February. I am on the mend and finally getting back out
there. I’ve missed it so.
What is your favorite hike? Longest solo hike?
I love the Benton MacKaye Trail - and was easily doing
20-milers before my injury. I did the majority of the Cohutta
Wilderness and all of the Big Frog Wilderness section in one
day and in 22 miles. That was my most favorite hike of this
year. I hiked in 6-inches of snow and it was a complete white
out at the summit of Big Frog. It was the most beautiful sight.
I loved that hike so much and plan on doing it again this Sun
day (April 25th) to see it in all its springtime glory. In January
I also did Wayah Bald on the N.C. section of the Appalachian
Trail in a foot of snow. That was a hard one in all that snow,
but the view from the top made all the work worth it. Hiking
in the snow was fun. It’s hard to say which trail I love the
most - the AT or the BMT.
What hikes nearby would you recommend for beginners?
More advanced hikers?
All beginner hikers should go to Springer Mountain and
get bit by the same bug I did. The trails on Burnt Mountain
are great, too. Our Georgia state parks have awesome hikes
as well. Amicalola and Fort Mountain offer great trails for all
different levels.
What is the most beautiful/scenic hike close by?
The Arkaquah Trail in Blairsville is so beautiful that it
can’t be put in words, and you get to climb Brasstown Bald
- the highest peak in Georgia. Raven Cliff Falls near Helen
with numerous waterfalls is epic as well and it is also the
headwaters of the Chattahoochee. The Smoky Mountains
offer great hikes too. It never hurts to drive a little bit to find
heaven.
What do you love about hiking? How has it changed you?
I love the peace the trail brings and it helps get me out of
my head. It brings me calm and pure joy anytime I’m out
there. It has helped me grow so much physically, spiritually,
and mentally. The woods are my sanctuary. When my feet
are moving in the middle of a gorgeous forest my heart is
happy and all is right with the world. Climbing the toughest
mountain doesn't seem like work anymore, and that summit
brings the greatest joy.
You typically hike alone. As a female, what precautions do
you take on the trail? Have you had any scares?
To be honest, it’s more dangerous on the car ride to the
trail head than being on the trail. Be aware of your surround
ings at all times, and especially in the
summer months be mindful of
snakes. If you feel something may be
ahead make lots of noise or bust out
into song. I’ve scared
many a bear belting out
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
at the top of my lungs.
Keep in mind that bears
are way more scared of
us than we are of them.
In 2018 I was walk
ing north on the Ap- g
palachian Trail heading %
towards Blood Mountain f
when I got shoved really g
hard from behind. The £
hair on the back of my fj
neck stood up, but when 2
I turned around there was I
nothing there. I could feel i
something though, that "
could not be seen by my I
eyes. All I can figure is that it was a ghost of one of the
Cherokee or Creek when they fought that huge war in the
1700s. I’ve hiked Blood Mountain 100 times since then with
no other problems and that is still one of my favorite hikes.
What kind of technology do you use?
I use Gaia to track my mileage and have the Guthook apps
for the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail. All
Trails is handy for smaller trails. Paper maps are still my fa
vorite and a compass is always with me.
What’s the best hiking shoe?
Altras. I love them. They are trail runners and the most
comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. Every foot is different.
If you want good boots or shoes go to an outfitter like REI
and get properly fitted. Make sure your toes have plenty of
room. It’s never fun losing a toenail.
Wizards of Laurel, the end
of our time's drawing near.
One more stop to make, the
location's unclear
Find Professor Meg Donegal,
she's roaming the street.
Your house flag is the reward.
You must buy it to eat.
Jasper resident Karen Attaway at Cowrock Mountain on
the Appalachian Trail. The photo was taken by a thru-hiker
- Attaway never got their name.
What are your big hiking goals?
It would be so cool to go out west and do a Rocky Moun
tain hike. I would climb a 14,000 footer. For now, I plan on
finishing the remainder of the Benton MacKaye Trail as soon
as possible. My biggest
dream is walking the 2,200
miles of the Appalachian
Trail from Georgia to Maine
all at once. Until that time
comes, I will keep walking it
one piece at a time.
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