GA.ME On!

Explore vs. Exploit

Exploration is a fundamental aspect of human nature. This drive manifests in various forms, from grand adventures to smaller ones, to everyday choices we make when ordering new food. 

The AT thru-hike attempt, although impressive, doesn’t fit, at first glance, the exploration definition. There’s an app that everybody uses “Far Out” that takes the guessing out of every turn, water source, access to towns, hostels etc.  One can argue using the “explore/exploit” concept used in psychology, neuroscience and behavioral sciences , that what we started is at the most exploiting , i.e. sticking with what is already known to get a good result, vs. exploring which would involve trying something new in hopes of finding something better. Our aim, first day in this journey, is to claim we will be exploring, as we would, on purpose, become more  like children, follow our curiosity, accept not knowing, get excited by the smallest things and boasting in the feel of not demanding that everything will be useful. 
So, Ga.Me on, Georgia to main on the AT , here we come! 

Day 1

We woke up at Amicalola Lodge after a so-so sleep (you know the kind, awakened many times by the emotions of a new adventure),  but maxed out with childish excitement. We were advised by Bandit, the shuttle driver and former AT hiker himself, to leave our backpacks up at the lodge, hike down the 1050 feet to Visitor’s office to register and start our hike, the. pick up our packs on the way up. But what first grader gets their picture without their school bag? Despite the advice, we decided to hike down the 600 plus stairs, a not trivial load for our knees, register, take the first-day-pictures, and then start the approach trail (Rember this is a 8.8 mile trail from Amicalola visitor center to Springer Mt.). To approach or not approach is a personal decision, as it is not part of the official approximately 2200 miles.
The day was turning into a gorgeous, but prematurely hot Georgia April day. 

“Packs-on-not-quite-the-start-picture” by “Too Cute”, we met her that day and named her the following morning .

To keep with the being kids again theme of our start, we had to sign up and sit for an orientation class. Also in line with our personalities, although it was just the two of us at that point, Steve sat in last row, and I in first (we ultimately converged on first row due to respect for Pete, the volunteer at the center that was doing this for God knows how many times that day, and every day). We were grateful for their time, their encouragement, advice , picture taking and in general, making this start smooth. I personally had butterflies like before an exam, but my zen Stevie centered me and assured that all will be great. 

With my pack at full weight.

Not necessary, but checking the box of picture with the class of 2025(special year as it marks 100 years of Appalachian Trail Conservancy).

With official AT hang tags in hand (or rather hanging on backpacks), we took our arch picture and headed up the stairs, heavier now by 4.4 pounds each due to the 2 l of water we figured we need to start. 

Adding to the long line of Arch departure pictures.

To state that the hike up those stairs on a hot day with full weight backpacks was gnarly, would be an understatement. I lost my breath several times and starting to doubt my readiness for this whole hike. In talking to other hikers, and reading other accounts, we weren’t alone in feeling that. I’m sure that there were the super fit, the super prepared ones that ran up those steps, but for most of us seemed like a Sisyphus-like effort. Like Albert Camus that reimagined The Myth of Sisyphus, we too saw the effort as a metaphor for our resilience, and used Camus’ words as a motto: “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.”

Starting the Approach Trail

Smile for the required selfie with the falls!

We were glad we “approached”, the spring was clearly there, beutiful shy spring mountain flowers that I wish I know the names of, were coming out everywhere.  We were talking and hiking at a decent pace when a young hiker literally flew by us. We had a chance to interact a bit, learned he was from Maine and his self given trail name was Weevil. A short parenthesis here: “trail names” are nicknames adopted by or given to hikers during their journey. They are a longstanding tradition on the AT and other long thru-hikes, and often based on personality quirks, funny incidents, physical traits, or inside jokes. 
We reached top of Springer pretty late in the day, we took pictures, signed the hikers start log and took a deep breath of accomplishment . The next few steps would actually be the day one of the AT. 

On top of Springer Mt., the official start of the NOBO AT, with me shooting an arrow towards Kathadin (arrow that I’ll hopefully catch when I get there), and Steve contemplating the effort ahead.

Of course Gummy Bear and Doe Nut made it too

 We didn’t end up hiking a lot more that day. We stopped at Stover Creek Shelter, setup first camp on the AT, ate our first dinner and hang our food bags for the first time . 

Really liking out Alpineblow mini pump, one of our luxury items.

First day mapped by Far Out. Probably the only one will stay as previously planned , as the hike has its own way of changing shape.