Georgia On My Mind

“I said Georgia, Georgia. A song of you (a song of you), Comes as sweet and clear, As moonlight through the pines” Ray Charles

A few hard-core trekkers are already on the trail this year. But for most of us mortal hikers, both thru hikers and section hikers, this is the time of year we still are making plans for the year. This will be the sixth year of my hopscotch section hike. Every year, I tell myself that this is the year I will get more focused and increase the number of miles hiked. But like the actual hiking itself, my planning is one step at a time. My first section will be from the arch at Amilacola Falls State Park on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain and then on to Neel Gap, Georgia. My initial thought for this year’s first section was continuing my line north from Boiling Springs to Duncannon, PA. But I have to thank my wife, Nightingale, for this better Georgia idea! And even better, she is coming along to support my hike. Afterwards, we are staying in Georgia for some “together-time” with an urban expedition in and around Atlanta.

I plan to average 7-8 miles per day, with six days of hiking. My longest day will be the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain Shelter at around 9 miles. My shortest day will be the last day from Woods Hole Shelter to Neel Gap at around 4 miles. And that is mostly the climb up Blood Mountain. The only gear consideration from my existing kit will be a bear canister for the stretch from Jarred Gap to Neel Gap; I will camp at Woods Hole Shelter. Nightingale will meet me at Woody Gap; so, I won’t need to carry the canister for the entire section. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate; but keeping in mind “hope” is not a plan, I will be carrying sufficient cold weather gear. I don’t mind cold weather so much; it’s wet and cold that makes a hike not so much fun.

This is the peak season for thru hike starts; so, like The Lord of the Rings, this “adventure” will be shared by many others. This also will be my first AT section since I started writing haiku inspired by hikes. It will be interesting to see what haiku will be inspired by Amilacola Falls, Springer Mountain, and Blood Mountain.

via Faith Small

 

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Comments 8

  • DCAlaneKnits : Jan 18th

    Sounds like a nice little section and nice to have some support!

    I can imagine there are plusses and minuses to starting in the bubble.

    I wish you well!

    Reply
    • Rick "Quiet Man" : Jan 18th

      Thank you! Yes, the bubble will be interesting. I am actually looking forward to “simulating” a thru hike start. I will likely never be able to actually thru hike for a variety of reasons, but this gives an old section hiker a taste of thru hiker community.

      Reply
  • Michael 'Mizman' Misiaszek : Jan 19th

    Quiet Man,

    Thank you for your service to our great nation.

    Enjoy every step!

    While the Trail does provide a sense of community, those first 32 (40) miles have been “rode hard and put away wet”.

    In February 2018 when I started hiking the AT, I found out N.Georgia is in a part of the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest and while there were 28 days in February that year, it rained all 35 of them!

    Congratulations on putting together your sections, and in the five (now six) years since you started, what areas were special to you?

    Definitely consider taking ALL the blue blazes you find, especially that left to the Long Creek Falls a few miles past Stover Creek Shelter. Totally worth every step.

    Later in my hike, Ron Haven from Franklin, NC told me that the Cherokee Indians slaughtered a large group of gold seeking Spanish Conquistadors there at Long Creek Falls and “…the creek ran red with blood.”

    Good luck and Keep Hiking!

    Reply
    • Rick "Quiet Man" : Jan 19th

      Mizman, thank you!

      I am totally expecting at least one cold wet day in late March/early April. The coldest I have ever been was at Fort Drum with the 10th Mountain Division in a wet snow in early April. I was “traveling, light and froze at night.” I will not make that mistake again.

      I would have to say the entire section in my home state of Maryland is special because my two sons hiked that with me, it was the first time Nightingale supported my hike, and my grandson – who was 7 at the time – hiked the last two miles of the state with us. Although, I very much enjoyed the hiking in Shenandoah National Park – and this is where Nightingale got her trail name as a trail angel.

      I am very picky about blue blazes. But Nightingale has been reading about the Georgia section and already is trying to convince me to take the blue blaze to Long Creek Falls! 😂

      Reply
  • Tami : Jan 19th

    The Georgia section you’re planning on doing is a great section. I’ve hiked in this section quite a bit. It’s more rugged and rocky than N.C. and Va. Be aware there’s no water between Woody gap and Neels Gap. Blood Mountain is one of my favorites. The views are amazing. While you’re in the area after your hike, you and your wife should check out the town of Blueridge on your way to Atlanta. Have a great hike!

    Reply
    • Rick "Quiet Man" : Jan 19th

      Tami, thanks for the info! Especially, about the water situation between Woody Gap/Neel Gap. Nightingale is meeting me at Woody Gap and is pondering trail magic options – looks like water needs to be on the list.

      The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway looks like a great option for our free time! Both of our families have ancestors who worked on railroads – The Pennsylvania RR/PennCentral RR and the Baltimore&Ohio RR.

      Reply
  • Fun Size : Jan 20th

    Quiet Man, I love what you are doing! I hope we cross paths at some point as I start my flip flop thru-hike in 2025!!

    Reply
    • Rick "Quiet Man" : Jan 20th

      Thank you! Where are you starting your flip flop?

      Reply

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