The Beginning of Things

Day 1

Christine's parents drove us up to Amicalola Falls State Park where we were a bit too early to register for our thruhike. Outside the visitor center there was a scale and our packs weighed in fully loaded with food, fuel and water at twenty-three and twenty-seven pounds. I was very happy with that and so far everyone else's packs have been heavier. After two goodbyes we were off climbing the 604 steps up alongside the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. At the top we easily hiked the rest of the approach trail and passed our first white blaze. We were very surprised to make it there as quickly as we did. We thought it would take all day, but it was still early. We decided to move on to the next shelter. Throughout our hike it was misty so we couldn't see any far views and it was a bit cold, but it was nice to be out in the fresh air. We got to the Stover Creek Shelter earlier than most other thruhikers and nabbed a spot in the shelter. Plenty of other thruhikers came in throughout the day and we talked some, but there were many big talkers there so we mostly listened. It felt like the first day of school. We were the first to settle into our sleeping quilt just before dark, but soon everyone was trying to sleep.

Miles hiked today: 1.6 Total AT miles: 2.8 AT miles left to hike: 2182.5

Day 2

We weren't very tired when we went to sleep and we didnt sleep very well. So we got up at first light and were the first ones to leave. The weather was a lot nicer so we could check out some views. It was windy though so we couldn't stop to break too long without getting cold. We had to climb Sassafras Mountain and Justus Mountain which were small, but steep and a good way to break in our trail legs a bit. We got to Gooch Mountain Shelter early again and got a spot in the shelter. Most of the older thruhikers camped out in tents and the younger ones took over the shelter. Most of the young hikers from our first shelter made it here as well. We went to sleep when dark fell again.

Miles hiked today : 13 Total AT miles: 15.8 AT miles left to hike: 2161

Day 3

We slept a little better during the night and left earlier than most. We decided to only hike eight and a half miles because after that the Trail passed six miles through a zone where a bear canister is required of all overnighters. We hiked slowly and stopped at all the great viewing points. All of the young hikers from the last two shelters we stayed at decided to push through the bear canister zone. We got to the last campsite set up our tent and ate dinner. Then we looked at our watch for the first time since we started and discovered it was only 2:30 pm. Since we were exhausted we hatched the plan to go to sleep real early and wake up real early to ensure a spot at Mountain Crossings Hostel the next day.

Miles hiked today: 8.5 Total AT miles: 24.3 AT miles left to hike: 2161

Day 4

We woke with our watch alarm at 4:00 am and packed up our tent as quietly as possible. The moonlight lighted the path pretty well as we hiked up Blood Mountain, our highest peak yet at 4461 ft. It got fully light right before we reached the summit. The climb up wasn't as difficult as other hikers made it seem like it would be. The top wad very rocky and we really enjoyed some tremendous views. Christine kept pointing out spots she wants to build a house someday. On our way off the mountain we somehow missed our well marked path and walked down a very steep rock slab. Once we discovered our mistake we had to crawl back up and I slipped on a wet section of the rock. I wanted to see how far I could get without falling. Not even four days! Once on the correct path we walked down to Neel Gap and across US 19 road to Mountain Crossings which is quite the magical place. The first thing you see is a great big tree with branches spread out. Dangling from these branches are the shoes and boots from hikers past who have cast them off in favor of lighter and better foitwear. The tree is covered. This place is not just a stop for thruhikers, but is a popular spot for motorcyclists and tourists. Weekend hikers and boy scout troops start here for a few days of adventure. The outfitter itself is an old building from the 20s made from stone. We waved goodbye to several of the young hikers from the previous two shelters who had stayed here the night before and were moving on. Inside, the outfitter was filled with anything and everything a long distance hiker could ever need. It is here that they help thruhikers lighten their load of any unnecessary gear. The top portion of the walls are covered with more forsaken shoes and an array of thruhikers packs from the decades past fully decked out with gear. We bought two bunks in the hostel two staircases down the side of the hill. We bought a frozen pizza which they cooked for us and we devoured it in minutes, still hungry. We bought a few food items for the next section of our hike, but got most of our food from the hiker's box. A hiker's box is a place for thruhikers to leave anything they don't want to carry anymore that other hikers could find useful. In this one there was a lot of food, books, clothes, and other small trinkets. There was even a pack and a sleeping pad. Thankfully, a father and boy hiking team had a large maildrop sent to them and had a lot of good food left over for us to scavenge. We bought a box of mac & cheese and a sandwhich and shared those for supper. I spent the day writing this and resting. Christine sewed up a shoulder strap on her Walmart pack that was tearing loose. We think it will hold even if she has to repair it in spots every now and again. After supper I was stil hungry. Luckily for me, we were about to experience our first trail magic! A large van pulled up and several adults and children poured out carrying boxes and pans. They brought us hot Mexican lasagna and soup, cookies, lemonade, and tea. They also brought good socks the kids had funraised to give to hikers. We each took a pair to use as a backup when another pair bites the dust. It was a good.day to rest and we are going to ramp up the miles a little.

Miles hiked today: 7.4 Total AT miles: 31.7 AT miles left to hike: 2153.6