And we’re (almost) off

Day Zero

Amicalola to Black Gap Shelter – 7.3 miles on the approach trail.

Whilst technically not the AT, I’m keeping these miles as trust me the count.

The day started at the hotel with breakfast. There was no one else down and I had Wi-Fi so I took the opportunity to video call my Mar and Par.  I would say I don’t miss them yet but my Par would call out the lie. Hay ho!

There were a couple of other hikers staying in the hotel so we chit chatted which was nice.  They were not doing the approach trail but I think they said they were stopping at the same shelter as us tomorrow.

Our shuttle driver Bandit turned up right on time, and as a past thru hiker it was good to get his perspective on things.  He was a really good guy and I will use him again as and when I need to for sure.

The Approach Trail

We got to Amicalola and signed in.  I am officially hiker 915.

My pack with food (to much food) and water came in at 40 lb! Whoops!

Lots of people skip the approach trail and get a ride the 8 miles or so to the top of Springer Mt, but as this is my one and only AT adventure of course I was going to hike it, and who would miss the falls?

However there is a reason lost of people miss this section and that is the 425 steps to the top.  Have you ever volunteered to carry a 40lb back pack up 425 steps? No? There is probably a reason for that.

Still it was beautiful and the rest of the trail reminded me of the woodlands you walk through on the C2C where the Hermitage is.  There were ups and downs, some steep some gentle, some with stone steps and others slippy slidey mud.

There was one patch of rain, but we won the rain gear game (you have to weigh up the benefit of not getting wet from the rain vs getting wet from your own sweat)

The Shelter

We made camp about 6pm, tired but so so happy.

I had to go get water, Elie, the cleaver guy got water on the way right before camp!  I need to work on how and where I pack my water system.

I also need practice setting up camp as it took far to long, and if it were still raining every thing would have been wet.

Once the tent was up there was just enough time to eat before we lost the light.

All the food ect are safely in a bear box and it’s time to get a good nights sleep!

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