Construction Site Check In on Ostara

My wife, Sabrina, and I decided to stay in the lodge here at Amicalola for a couple nights to spend some time together before I disappear into the woods for six months.

While she enjoys backpacking and camping, six months and 2200 miles is a touch more than her idea of a good time. But she is incredibly supportive and so here we are.

I packed up my bag as if I were heading out, but instead we walked the East Ridge Trail about one mile to the registration area. The East Ridge Trail was the original approach trail to the AT before the the Falls Trail was built. Along the way I met my first class of 2023 fellow hiker, Nacho Jim, and his dog. He mentioned the falls trail was not dog friendly as it’s metal stairs so he was taking the old route. At the base we were greeted with the famous arch and it’s incredibly surreal background, construction. They are building a huge new visitor center. Being from NJ this made me feel right at home (our state sign is Men Working). We then headed for the registration shed.

After my pack weigh in of 33 pounds (with food and water) I was registered as thru hiker #1427 and sat through the ten minute talk on what to expect along the way, where the first few resupply points are, and where it is and is not appropriate to poop.

And so begins an adventure in the making for 30 years. It was wonderful to have the company of Sabrina for the very beginning, and together we walked the approach trail 1.2 miles back up to the lodge. The views of the falls were stunning, and the metal staircase grueling for all blank steps. Happy to be back at the lodge, but itching to get back out there tomorrow and climb the rest of the approach.