The First Week

Update: wrote this post a week ago. Covers March 18-25 (miles 1-70 approximately)

My Dad and I have been on the trail for a week now, and so far I have nothing bad to report. We took it easy for the first couple of days before getting to Neel Gap, but since that time we’ve been logging some longer miles (between 12 and 14 for the last few days). Right now we are staying at Top of Georgia hostel where I’ve had ice cream, a shower, my clothes have been cleaned and I ate my first real meal in ten days.

One of the best parts of the trail in Georgia is all of the trail magic. We’ve had trail magic just about everyday that we’ve been out here, and a lot of days it’s what gets me through the second half of the day when the fatigue has started to set in.

In my last post I mentioned pack weight, and a lot of readers thought that my 42lb pack was a bit outrageous. After going up the approach trail last week, I would have to agree with those readers. Since then my pack has come down about ten pounds (give or take a few pounds depending on how much water and food I have on a given day).

Tomorrow is our last day in Georgia, and while I’m happy to be crossing into a new state, Georgia has offered some wonderful experiences. First and most important, the terrain in GA is amazing. It’s the perfect terrain to start with; not too many rocks, very few steep climbs and countless switchbacks (which seem to be nonexistent in Maine and New Hampshire). Blood Mountain was also a great day on the trail as it reminded me a lot of the hiking that I’m used to in the Northeast (in terms of the views it offers, anyway).

The first week on the trail has me really excited for what’s in store in the next 13 states…especially more frequent showers!