What Do You Do if It Rains?

One day in and most of my gear is somewhere on the spectrum of damp to dripping. We started out in the rain at Amicalola Falls in the late morning on the Approach Trail. Our goal was to get to the true start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain by late afternoon.

If you’re not familiar with the Approach Trail, its an 8ish-mile hike to get up to the Appalachian Mountains.

Keyword: up.

We had some leg burning moments, but Will (@chalmsonthetrail) and I stayed —mostly—together the whole day. We passed a good number of people and ended up camping about three miles past Springer at Stover Creek Shelter. Our stuff is soaked.

Free Your Mind and Your Body Will Follow

Despite the wet, I feel incredible. I’m sitting on a rock typing this on day two after a 1.5-mile warmup while we wait for Will’s dad to meet up with us by car. My pack is super heavy (starting weight was over 40, and that’s before the wet) but as I said on Instagram: “It’s not about how light your pack is, its about how light your heart is.”

Shameless plug to follow me @haydenstuartcox

I’ll be frank. I’m itching to move. Despite the 12-mile uphill hike yesterday, my longest hike ever, it feels like my legs have come alive. It’s been about six months since I was fit(ish) as a runner, and this is the first time I’ve felt like my legs are strong again. I’m not counting on the feeling staying, but I’m going to enjoy it while I can.

More to come.

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