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So This Is Real
Pinch me. Is this really happening after all the years of planning? Yes? Ok good. Wahoo!
The first couple days on the trail have been a big ol’fun pile of sweat, pain, cold, new friends, learning, and a cat called Pringles. I’m breaking it down by day and lessons learned, because that’s how my brain works…and I never have wifi, so here’s a big chunk of AT life!
DAY 1
Lessons learned: those stairs at Amicalola Falls are no joke, but so rewarding, and squeaky trees are the worst. (Squeaky tree: (n) when a dead tree falls on another tree, then add 20 mph winds. Let’s just call it “nature’s violin” and it’s impossible to sleep through.)
DAY 2
Lessons learned: 25 degrees at night means coffee slushes for breakfast (it’s delicious), and drinking spring water you filtered yourself may be the coolest feeling. Bonus if you do it for breakfast on top of a mountain. Springer mtn down, Katahdin I’m coming for you!
DAY 3
Lessons learned: finding your first tramily is the best, especially when your dad shows up with a 6-pack in the rain and gives you a ride to get pizza and a hot shower at a hostel. On that note, stay at the Hiker Hostel if you get the chance – great people! This is also where I met Pringles. That’s not really the cat’s name, but I was eating Pringles at the time and it seemed appropriate. If anyone sees him, please tell him I’m doing great. I’m sure he misses me and I bet he’s been asking.
DAY 4
Lessons learned: I can crank out over 11miles in one day and get to a shelter just minutes before the skies open up and drop, what felt like, all the water on the planet. Lesson 2: get cards or a game. Everyone starts to get sick of staring at each other’s face after a couple hours.
DAY 5
Lessons learned: summiting Blood mtn at dawn in the thickest fog I’ve ever seen means getting to experience the sunrise in a new way. At exactly 7:08am it was like someone flipped a huge light switch. I couldn’t see 10ft in front of me, but the light reflected instantly off the fog and created the most eerie/beautiful/bright light. Lesson 2: getting a package with homemade booze will change your life. 🙂
They call me Bottles now, and I will continue to live up to it. Cheers!
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Comments 6
You go KT! I am envious that this is your year!
Glad you are loving your hike! The cat is Olive, the friendly hostel cat.
Good to know! I miss that lil guy still.
Hey KT – what a good read, and doc, and super person you are for accomplishing this. Cool peeps along the way for sure – so proud but not surprised in the least. keep on trekin!
Hey DAS! Thanks for the kind words, it’s the little things. Cheers!
Hey KT! Where y’at these days on the trail? Or are you done?! I get the TREK email updates and haven’t seen a post from ya for a while, although I don’t read them EVERY day. I hope you are well and still kickin’ A! Give a shout or text or whatever when you can! miss and luv ya!