Slow and Steady on the Appalachian Trail

Day 0- 6.94 miles, 2,047’ elevation gain; Amicalola Fall State Park to Black Gap Shelter

After grabbing my yellow bag tag, we dilly-dallied for a little while as another family was taking some photos in the Stone Arch. Once they departed, I timed my walk over so I could ask a family on their way out to take Riv and I’s photo.

The family that took my photo were the last people for me to see prior to starting this journey. I’ll never forget those faces.

With the stairs being closed, we took an alternate way to Black Gap Shelter. It was steep, or maybe after a handful of miles the adrenaline-fueled excitement of starting the trail had finally begun to wear off. We passed over Amicalola and Frosty Mountains then descended into Nimblewill Gap. Just prior to Black Gap Shelter the trail follows along the west side of Black Mountain at about 3,300’, never summiting it. I love being able to see through the leafless oak trees down into the valley.

As soon as we arrived at Black Gap Shelter, I pitched our tent in an area that was the most sheltered from the wind I could find, although I had no idea if there was to be a change in the wind direction throughout the night. I made our beds and headed down to the picnic table for dinner. We filled up, River had tuna, rice, kibble, and freeze-dried topper. And I had my favorite backpacking meal of garlic parmesan noodles. I tossed our food bag in the bear box, locked it up and headed off to bed. Only two other hikers stayed here tonight.

Black Gap Shelter

Day 1- 6.31 miles, 915’ elevation gain; Black Gap Shelter to Long Creek Falls

It was a cold night, but hot damn did I miss sleeping in my tent. Ever since adopting second and third dogs, my little Nemo Hornet is no longer our home away from home. I quietly grabbed our food from the bear box, packed our tent, and headed along the way a couple miles before pulling off to eat some breakfast. A warm meal of peanut butter and apple oatmeal was everything I needed.

We carried along as I was continuously thinking, ‘I’m headed home’. Whenever I used to alert my Dad I was headed home, I would always send a text message stating exactly that, ‘Headed home!’ He used to text in all capital letters, something like ‘K DRIVE SAFE LOVE U’. I miss those texts and sometimes I’ll get this fleeting feeling that maybe that text that just came in, was him. It wasn’t long before we hit the summit of Springer Mountain, 8.14 miles since walking through the Stone Arch. The official terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Day 2- 4.48 miles, 891’ elevation gain; Long Creek Falls to Forest Service Rd. 42

I found a campsite that was beyond gorgeous. It was about a quarter mile down a blue blazed trail and well worth it. I intended to take a zero day, but River was hot to trot this morning. By the time I was packed up and on trail, it was noon. But what’s the rush?

Long Creek Falls

The trail was cruise-y but with a zero day in my head, we didn’t go too far. It was within these miles that my theory changed from zero days to active recovery days. Every couple days we’ll sleep in, take three-hour lunches, and mosey to camp calling it a day after three or four miles. The Mountain Laurel gave way to our first green tunnel-esque experience south of Vermont. If only they had been in bloom.

I had planned for us to camp down along the Forest Service Rd; however, a couple more feet down the trail was an awesome, mountaintop campsite with west facing views. Despite the cold forecasted for the night, I couldn’t pass it up. My routine for arriving at camp is as follows; I first feed River. Then, while he’s eating, I’ll set up our tent. As soon as he’s finished eating, he gives me his thanks in lovins’ that just about knocks me over and then goes to tuck himself in. I’ll feed myself and hang about pondering whatever has crossed my mind. The sunset tonight was spectacular.

Golden Hour and
Sunset near Forest Rd 42

Day 3- 10.22 miles, 1,721’ elevation gain; Forest Service Rd 42 to Woody Gap

Rivvie was feeling himself today, hence the 10 miles. The trail had us descending down into many gaps, and never summiting a mountain. We walked through Coopers Gap, Brookshire Gap, Devils Kitchen, Cooper Gap, Grassy Gap, Liss Gap, Jack’s Gap, Tritt Gap, and finally Woody Gap. The only notable peak of the day was Gooch Mountain which we never summited, just skirted around it at 3,000’.

We fueled up, I pitched our tent in Woody Gap, and we called it a night.

I’m still headed home.