The First Four Days! AT23!

28 March 23

First day on the AT! Man, I shouldn’t have taken so many days off after the Lone Star Hiking Trail last month! Whew! Day started off with breakfast at the lodge and a trip to Amicalola Falls for registration. After the obligatory arches photo, both with the group and solo, I hit the approach trail around 10 AM. I walked with Swiss Miss up the stairs until we caught up with the group. The plan today was to summit Springer and camp at x Springer Mountain Shelter. A little taxing, but my body will remember it’s in shape in a couple days. Snacked on cliff bars, kind bars, and jerky throughout the day. Some type of soup for dinner. Will eat more tomorrow. Hungry now! After camp chores, I’m in my sleeping pad at 8:12 PM writing this.

 

12 Mile Day!

Day two! Still no soreness or lingering pain! Training paid off some! Departed Springer Mountain Shelter with Cooper Gap as a destination. 12ish miles for the win! Got my first trail magic from Georgia Adventurers Group. Had lunch at Long Creek Falls. Haven’t made many new friends yet. Hook and Swiss Miss (friends from AK) are section hiking with me and the other Warrior Expedition folks for a few days. So I’ve been catching up with them. I’ll go full hiker trash after they depart. After the twelve miles, I was ready for the tent. Had a chicken salad taco, Funyuns and a cliff bar then nighty night.

 

Just a Stroll

Up a shade earlier today. Woody Gap is end for today. Another easy eight miles. Staying consistent with pace. Taking breaks every hour. Averaging two miles and hour when I’m not exploring or taking pictures along the trail. Weather has been fantastic! No rain, nice and cool.

Zero Eve

Was on the trail before 8 today. Neels Gap was only a short ten miles away… with Blood Mountain in the way. Took the summit around lunchtime. Signed the shelter ledger and began the descent. The northern descent harder than the southern ascent! Whew! Still happy with the day. Met my first RidgeRunner, Moxie! In a cabin for the next day! Starting again Sunday! A local church provided dinner and baked goods for our group!