On Gossamer Wings

LeConte'thon

2010-10-27T13:33:00.001-07:00

LeConte'thon is the annual 42 mile day hike covering all six trails to the top of Mt. LeConte.

-Trillium Gap Trail 6.5
-Rainbow Falls Trail 6.5
-Bull Head Trail 6.8
-Alum Cave Trail 5
-The Boulevard & Appalachian Trails 8.1
-Brushy Mountain Trail 9.1

We hiked them all and nearly died! Congratulations Nathan, Michal, and Matthew!

The Grand

2010-08-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

It's been a whirlwind of events these past few months. I have finished all of my college courses, studied for the MCAT, applied to medical school, and and preparing for several fun trips during my year off. Tim Nummy (a friend from high school) and I are heading out to summit the Grand Teton. We will leave this Saturday, August 21st, and drive 1,800 miles to Jackson Hole Wyoming. We will spend five days in the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and hone in our mountaineering skills in order to climb the renowned Grand Teton.

The peak towers over surrounding mountains at a staggering 13,775 feet and is often capped in snow. We will ascend the Owen-Spalding route which, while known as the easiest route, is still dangerous and exhilarating. We will be roped in to avoid a potential fall and will begin the ascent by 4am in the morning.

I can't wait to get on the road and climb some mountains.

Bo

Dancing in an Unmistakeably Upward Direction

2010-03-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes (and by 'sometimes' I mean 'all the time') you just need to dance. And also you need to suit up. And the two go together very nicely.

Just thought you needed to know that.

Bo

2010-02-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

As the teasing warmth of the sun fades, I am left, again, with a gross disdain for the dreary gray skies of another wet southern winter. Snow is a romantic ideal that we hope for, and blue skies a far cry from our climatic reality. Yet, I anticipate a warm and beautiful spring and cannot wait for it. My garden will host a variety of vegetables and fruits and I will hopefully accomplish an array of needed yard maintenance. I will no longer fear the splash of cold water while washing my volkswagen, and will gladly walk through the our beloved park without shoes.

Spring, you are welcomed in Knoxville.

Bo

Little Pigeon River

2009-12-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I understand that the editing is a bit over the top. Get over it.

It's been a tough semester. School hasn't been easy, friendships are changing, (and some are fading). However, I've enjoyed becoming more independent, focused, and driven. I've made a bunch of great new friends and am enjoying a new phase of life in this post-ish-college-limbo. I cling to a sense of adventurousness but still try to maintain a positive, mature, focus on what's ahead. I've got a lot (God-willing) of neat life experiences coming up, and I cannot wait!

-Road trip to L.A.
-Skiing out West
-Mountain Climbing in Central America
-Med School

As much as I long for what I have had, I anticipate what's in store is still better.

-Bo

Old Junk

2009-04-28T18:19:00.001-07:00

Take a look. James and David are two of my best friends. We took a hiking trip at the beginning of freshman year. I hardly knew either of them. Now, at the end of our senior year we are great buddies. ...kinda neat huh?

My Favorite Show, Something Funny, and Something Sweet

2009-02-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy this show. Potentially because I aspire to become as crass a doctor as Dr. House himself.

Watch this... it's kinda funny.

Bec and I climbed House Mountain. She hates pictures so we only took this one...

Climbing the Mighty Chimneys

2008-12-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

Rebecca and I hiked the Chimney Tops in the Smokies yesterday. We had beautiful weather on the top. The snow swirled around us as the chilly winter wind ripped up the sides of the mountain. It was fun being back on the mountain when the trails were all iced over. (knowing that we had a warm car to go to and a hot lunch to eat later) This picture is from the cave on top of the mountain that you climb down. It takes you to a secret rock out cropping where we saw a little red squirrel running around gathering berries and twigs to help him and his family through the winter. Also, we made a funny little snow girl, with green hair that we added to a snow family on top of a rock.

Biking in the woods

2008-11-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Biking on the roaring fork motor trail with James and Ryan.

The Last Photo

2008-10-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

I want to include one final picture from the trail.

This is the top, the end and the finish line. Katahdin

bo

Done and Done

2008-10-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

I finished the trail on August 13th and finished my montage tonight! So, the thing is about 20 minutes long. For those of you who have kept up with everything you'll see some of the same stuff, plus the ending and some other unreleased footage! New to the site? Well, this video will fill you in.

The Appalachian Trail 2008 Northbound from Bo Cox on Vimeo.

"Hiking the trail is like no other experience, it's a trip to the moon and back on gossamer wings."

Paddy O

Bo - "sTARt"

100 Miles to Go!

2008-08-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

Where I am

2008-07-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

I'm in Rangely, Maine. It's a cozy little town of about 1,500. We stayed at our friends Big 'Un, and Superman's place. There we saw Cuda and a load of Sobos.
60 miles into Maine and lovin' it!

Start

The Mighty Whites and MAINE!!!@!@(&^#$

2008-07-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

I can't belive I'm in Maine. It seems like just 12 years ago when I wanted to hike here. And now....here it is. I've got less than 260 miles to go in this state and Katahdin is just around the corner. Check out the video of what "work-for-stay" in the White Mountain National Forest looks like. Dinner, sleep and breakfast for just a little fun work.

BAD WEATHER and BUTT PAINS

2008-07-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Quickly! Quickly!

Hiked up Mt. Washington today. And, got B.L.A.S.T.E.D. with the world's worst weather! No kidding. The mountain has that. The world's worst weather. 70mph wind, 48 deg., RAIN! wow. So instead of pushing on (like a fool might do) I got off the mountain, down to a lodge and filled my empty stomach with some hot beef stew. But listen, I'm almost through with N.H. Maine is just around the corner and so is the FINSISH. (!!!)

Two days ago I slipped 5 feet and landed smack on my A*#. (my right buttox was impaled by a semi-sharpened point of quality New Hampshire granite) The funny part came after I rolled painfully into a creek screaming bad words. I got up and looked at the guys and said, "I'm gonna need you to look at this." I dropped the drawers for my butt to have a peek and as on cue as a deejay with the next song a GIRL SCOUT TROOP came trottin' along. ...So, we all died laughing as the expressions on those poor girl's faces turned to scowls of disgust.

More to come.

Bye,

Bo

New Hampshire! Give a Shout!

2008-07-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Exercising before the big climb up Smarts Mountain in New Hampshire.

WET! WET! WET! "Sick," as Ryan Collins might say.

Videos from China and Vermont

2008-07-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

It's not really China. It's China Town in Boston.

More Pics:

2008-07-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

In a tree near spring mtn.
On top of Blood Mountain in Ga.
In the grass at a college in northern Mass.
The Mass/Vermont border!!
The twins and I squeezed in a car going back up into the mtns, in Vermont.

Vt.

2008-07-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

Fire Tower in the day

That's right, folks. I'm in Vermont. Manchester, Vt. The GREEN mountains! Just climbed Stratton Mountain last night and saw the fist droppings of the MIGHTY MOOSE! Haven't seen on yet though... The twins and I expect to finish by the 10th of August and are highly excited about the last 500 mile leg of the trip. We have the last bit of Vt. then N.H. and then MAINE! only 2 1/2 states to go!!!! I have such limited time so I must go. Much love and happy trails, Bo

SICK...

2008-06-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

That's right.I got real sick. I woke up in the woods and was lucky to only be a few miles from town. I could feel the symptoms worsening by the hour. I was alone and halfway through Connecticut when I became fatigued, feverish and a little loony brained. The town had no way "out" so I had to hitch-hike 60 miles into Massachusetts. There my friend Kyle was kind enough to drive in from up-state N.Y. and get me to the ER and then an airport.

Blood was drawn and tests were done but we are not sure what I had. As a prophylactic measure the doctor prescribed a heavy dose of antibiotics. So far I feel better.

I've been off trail for one week and will spend, most likely, one more here in Atlanta. I'm keeping busy painting, boating and rock climbing. The greyhound bus will take me back up to New England and I'll hit the trail again in about a week.

Bo

NYC

2008-06-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

Going to meet my mom in the Big Apple. I'd love an apple right now. A big juicy granny smith. Or shoot! I'd an apple fritter or an apple pie!

Boggy in NY

2008-06-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

Almost out of the state. This video was taken in a boggy area of the trail which has a seasonal reroute for wet weather. This is called a puncheon. Basically a really bad, could-fall-off-at-any-moment kinda plank system.

Bear Mountain State Park. 95 degrees!

2008-06-13T00:34:00.000-07:00

June 7th. Bear Mountain SP is located just 35 miles outside of New York city. It tends to turn into an exciting ethnic playground. Today however it was like hell. Temperature-wise...

New York

2008-06-13T00:30:00.000-07:00

8 states done. I saw my first two bears today! Big 300+ pounders Also, my new friend Ishmael did something gross. Check it out.

New Jersey Nightmare : Bugs

2008-06-13T00:20:00.001-07:00

Let me let you in on a few things about this "garden" state.

June 2 New Jersey fire tower visit.

2008-06-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

Exploring, that's the word here.

So THAT'S why they call it "rocksylvania"

2008-06-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania is notorious for rocks. Everyone hates them. This is the epitome of the 'rocks.' Lehigh Valley, Pa. May 30th. 29 mile day...

Snake... Yea...

2008-06-12T23:36:00.000-07:00

Black Rat Snake. Not poisonous, but can be a dirty bite. What I did it technically illegal. I found this out later. So, sorry.

Hitch hiking is hiking too.

2008-06-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

OK. So we get lazy going into towns. We can't really help it. When you walk 25 miles a day you don't want to walk places that cars can go. May 26th. Lickdale, PA.

The Flat Cumberland Valley, PA

2008-06-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Walking the Cumberland Valley in PA. with my friend Furniture. It was a great, 15 miles flat stretch of suburban goodness.

May 22nd. HALF WAY!!! 1,088.1 miles

2008-06-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

We did it. We got half way up the famed Appalachian trail. Now it's time to indulge in some traditional half galloning. yum

A few unhappy, salty critics.

2008-06-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

OK... I get it. Not EVERY video is a box office hit. Here are a couple of sour critics.

chillin in harpers ferry

2008-06-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

past the 1,000 mile marker. holla

Connecticut

2008-06-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

That's right. I'll be there. Real soon.

Back to the trail...

_start

New York / New Jersey

2008-06-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

Ok... I've been computerless for a while now. I'm in an Episcopal curch hostel. It's hard to leave... Currently I've walked 1344.9 miles. I've still got over 800 left!

Tons of videos to put up, but no way to do it currently.

Peace,

Bo

Hitch to Washington D.C.

2008-05-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

Headed to Nashville for a wedding. Hour long hitch followed by 11.5 hours of more driving.

Goofing off in Shenandoah

2008-05-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Not much to say...

Messing with a Deer. Oh dear...

2008-05-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ted...or Tedra the deer. She's not the brightest. In Shenandoah

Doing the Dirty

2008-05-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

...laundry In Waynesboro, Va.

Looking down on the James River

2008-05-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

Ok... enough with the James river.

To All Named James

2008-05-15T10:35:00.001-07:00

Crossing the wonderful James river. (on the Foot Bridge)

Crossing the James River (To all the

2008-05-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

A Bitter Cold Night

2008-05-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

I woke up in my new 45 degree sleeping bag, ready to take on summer. Only, I woke up shivering 4,000 feet high stuck in a storm of sleet.

COWS!

2008-05-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

What a treat. I got to see some cattle.

Underground Creek!

2008-05-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

At this point I'm trying to catch up with Josh, Josiah and Cuda. Not quite there.

Fire Competition

2008-05-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

My first day back on the trail in Pearisburg Va. was exciting. Memphis Tim and Little Miss Sunshine had a fire competition. I can't say who wins. You must watch!

100 miles, 4 days

2008-04-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

I covered just under 100 miles in 4 days to catch up with my gang. After trailing them by just minutes I caught them at the Tinker Cliffs, a beautiful, half mile long vista where some folks way long ago made pots and pans or something...

So, I'm in Daleville, Va. (1/3 the way) and happy as could be. We are pushing out in a few minutes, trying to make it to Front Royal, Va. by the 7th. That's about 250 miles away.

If you are wanting to send mail, I'll be at the Waynesboro P.O. by the 3rd of May. One more thing, the hernia is doing o.k.

Abiding in Christ,

Bo

My Hernia

2008-04-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

I have been off of the trail for 6 days now. I am in Atlanta and went my surgeon, Dr. Hathaway's office yesterday. I went in because I thought I might have a hernia, And sure enough, I do! It's not too big nor is it painful. Because of this Dr. Hathaway said I should be fine to finish my hike. (yes, all 1600 miles of it) I'm heading up to Tennessee tomorrow and onto Virginia the next day. I'll pick up where I left off.

I'm glad that I can get back on the trail. Sure it has been kickin' my butt! I started of with a cough that lasted for three weeks, then my legs began to shut down and now my intestines aren't where they are supposed to be. (sick!)

Thank you all for the continued support. I really couldn't do this thing without you - my friends and family. I hope you continue to find the videos entertaining and fun. I'll have a few more on the way shortly!

Until then,

Bo

Several of us in the Grayson Highlands

2008-04-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are again in the Grayson Highlands. This place looked like Montana! Definitely my favorite scenery of the trail so far.

Playing with the Ponies!

2008-04-19T15:41:00.001-07:00

Here I am with Josiah Brand up on top of Mt. Rogers getting a little too close to the Shetland Ponies. I thought the colts were especially cute. And their mothers were not too fond of me getting close to their babies. Sorry about the wind and poor sound quality.

Ducks in Damascus, Virginia!!!

2008-04-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

We stayed at the Lazy Fox Bed and Breakfast in Damascus, Va. The Brand family hooked us up! Although I didn't see any foxes I did find these ducks. (almost as good...)

24 mile day.

2008-04-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hiked some easy miles. Did 24 miles of fairly easy terrain to get to the most fabulous hostel. (Kincora, Run by Mr. and Mrs. Peoples) This clip is from the end of the long day, right when everything got pretty.

_start

(I actually did live after Big Hump mountain. I was blown off, but only suffered minor injuries like broken femurs.)

Big Hump Mountain (near Roan Mtn.)

2008-04-08T08:57:00.001-07:00

This video was taken shortly before Bo was blown off of the mountain and never found. Search teams are still out looking for him. Fortunately he left his camera with a note requesting that this video be published on the internet for his friends to see.

-a friend of Bo

Birthday with friends!

2008-04-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

I got picked up by some of my friends from UT to go spend some time off the trail in Bristol, Tn. Thanks for coming guys! I had a blast!

_bo

Heading down to Erwin, Tn.

2008-04-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Preparing myself for a long break in Erwin, Tn. It was so good!

_bo

It's my birthday. 300 miles, done!

2008-04-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Max Patch. Beauty and wind.

2008-04-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

The bald, well visited, mountain called Max Patch. I went there! Look.

-Start

Mt. Cammerer. AT update

2008-04-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Still in the Smokies. Although, this is my last day in the 70 (ish) mile long park.
This is a video of Half Brew, Toad, a view and me. (I hiked some with half brew and Toad.) Max patch* way in the distance is what we hiked the following day.

_bo

Windy on Clingman's Dome. (not actually on the dome)

2008-04-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

This clip was taken shortly before I reached the highest peak on the A.T. Clingman's Dome. The hike wasn't bad, but the weather was crazy!

_start

Mt. Collins...Ryan, this is for you.

2008-04-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Ryan Collins (and family) this is your mountain. And it was TOUGH!

_start

Rocky Top. (from the top)

2008-04-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day to hike up this mountain. This is my favorite peak in the entire park. Also, it's St. Patrick's day. Woot for that! (??)

_start

Crossing the Fontana Dam

2008-04-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

We're headed into the Smoky Mountain National Park! What a pretty day!

Enjoy

COOKIE CONTEST:

2008-03-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Don't forget about the cookie contest.
Rules:
Make a batch of cookies and mail them to:

Bo Cox (hold forn appalachian trail thru hiker)
111 Bridge ST
Hot Springs, NC 28743-9231

Trail Magic! - A glimpse of life on the AT

2008-03-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ok...so not every day is like this one. But, I have to admit, running into these kinds of random acts of kindness along the trail (aka "Trail Magic") is quite a treat!

_Bo (loading all of this from Gatlinburg)

We pulled into Gatlinburg on the 18th. Dad picked us up at Newfound Gap and we went to town! We are taking a day off because of the sour weather...and it's not too bad! We also managed to drag a few more thru-hikers into the city of pancakes. How lovely.

Video From the Top of Albert Mountain Fire Tower

2008-03-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! I took this video from the top of Albert Mountain in North Carolina. (In the Nantahalla Wilderness) The view is spectacular! The night before this hike I about froze and ended up waking up every half hour or so! I think that it may have gotten down into the single digits. EEk! Pray that Josh, Josiah and I would begin sleeping better and that I would learn to become more patient!
In Christ,
Bo "Start"

Enjoy!

Rain...In My little tent

2008-03-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Here I am in Hiawasee Ga. We camped out up on this ridge...It rained!

Video update 2

2008-03-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here I am at Neel Gap in Georgia. It is wet and cold and windy! Neel Gap has a great hostel for hikers and Pirate (the hostel maintainer) even prepared breakfast! Enjoy the the video.

Video Update Number 1

2008-02-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

Hi. I'll be doing quite a few video updates throughout the duration of the trip. This, I would imagine, should be the start of a cornucopia of entertaining tid-bits of audio/visual indulgences for YOU to enjoy. And as always, please let me know how you are doing by leaving a comment.

_bo

Planning

2008-01-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

Here we are. All three of us. Josiah is on the left, that's me in the middle and Josh is standing on the right. We took the evening to plan and talk about our quickly approaching journey. We are all quite excited and anxious to see what the trail has in store for us.
If you are wondering what our "planning" included, it's basically this. "We'll start March first (ish)" "cool"

Testing some gear

2008-01-22T09:16:00.001-08:00

A couple buddies and I went out to do a 9 mile loop this past weekend. We set out at around 7:30 pm and arrived at camp just two hours later. The short hike in was well lit by a handsome moon and so we chose not to use our lamps for much of the way. We stumbled upon a clearing at around 9:15 and were prepared to pitch tents and brew some "hot drink" (thanks Mike!) until we suddenly realized what we had discovered was an old grave. We read the couple of epitaphs that had withstood the hundred years of weather and human contact and were impressed to find that this family had been buried all during or before the early 1900's. Fortunately the grave site was decently maintained and in effect, a neat side trail.
Camp came shortly after and we all stumbled around for several cold minutes unpacking and pitching our shelters for the evening. The fire was difficult to start and even harder to maintain, nevertheless, it provided some much needed heat.

Gear: (Big Four)
Nimbus Ozone backpack - (A+) carried the load of gear easily and provided a comfortable grip on my waist and shoulders.
MSR Hubba - (A+) Originally thought to only use the fly and tarp but have considered the mesh to be a nice protective feature.
Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20 deg. plus 15 deg. liner - (A) Wondering if I need something warmer. Felt great at 25 deg though.
Therma-Rest Z-Lite - (A) A bit cumbersome and not as comfy as an inflatable....but lightweight!

Misc.
Titanium Alcohol stove - (B) Could not boil 20 oz. of water on one ration of fuel. (might boil 16 oz.) Although we had no wind, I need to make a type of wind guard for the stove.
Snow Peak 1400 pot - (A+) Simple, big but not too big, and light!
Icebreakers wool base layer - (A+) Feels Awesome!!! Gets rid of moisture and is quite warm!

I need more orange crap! I go to UT!!!

More thoughts and reviews to come...

Bo

A Hike in the Smokies with Dad

2008-01-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

Hi there. This picture here is of my Dad and me. We did a one night hike back in April and had a blast! Around 11pm we heard gun shots and proceeded to collect all of the grenades and missles that we brought so we could fight back. ...Actually....I passed out in the tent and pop hung around outside to see if whoever the shooter was would come near us. Turns out he never came, or at least we never saw him. The mouse that lived in the log ate all the crumbs that fell from the scruff of our chins, and at night he went in search of chunks of food in our backpacks (that I imagine he believed were the souce of these oh-so-fine crumbs he was finding littered about.) Smart little mouse.

Welcome to my journal. Hope that you will stay in touch and that I can keep you well informed!