T-1:
Took a nice 9 hour drive to Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge on May 23rd. Beautiful place but locked in fog so I enjoyed a nice dinner with my support team (wife). I went to bed very nervous and excited and contemplated my journey and preparation to get here and what lay ahead.
T-DAY:
We headed to the famous arches of the Approach Trail, the official image and «here I come» place. Unfortunately, starting at the arches does not count toward your Appalachian Trail miles. So, 606 steps to the top of the falls and another 7.3 miles later, my mileage officially counts. Personally I’m counting it towards my total and in the end.. who’s going to argue, my feet still felt it. Also, everyone I’ve talked to so far has said the approach trail was brutally difficult. So I’m counting it, friends.
I ended up not completing the entire Approach Trail due to an unforeseen delay, but I made it to the base of the mountain (the official start is at the top of Springer Mountain) at a shelter where a kind group let me spend the night out of the rain.
T2: Starting around 8am, we headed out on a 9.6 mile hike to the next shelter. Along the way I got to the official starting point, obligatory photos, talked to a family that went to Mizzou (MIZZOU-RAH) and kept going. I quickly discovered that there was something wrong with the music I downloaded, so I didn’t notice any noise in my gait all day. It rained all day but arrived at the shelter nicely to be greeted with «lots of mice in that shelter», I took a chance and logged in anyway but after the lights went out they came running and I pitched my tent right inside the shelter. I’m going to have to chew through nylon to catch me now. It poured rain all night… ARRRGGHH
T3: It was raining when I woke up and I stayed at the shelter until 11am hoping the rain would stop and I only had 7.6 miles left to the next shelter. Other than the rain, it was uneventful except for the final half-mile climb to reach my final destination. I shared the shelter with a hiker I met 2 days ago (GREAT guy) and a young woman who arrived later. The three of us spent most of the afternoon planning the next day or two due to the weather and a REALLY big mountain looming, plus some timing and logistical issues. End of story for me, my plan was adjusted considerably for T4 for a variety of reasons, but you have to do what you have to do and as the saying goes, the Path will give you answers.
T4: As I mentioned before, my plan turned into a 4.9 mile hike to a location where I was picked up and taken to a local lodge where I currently sit looking at a beautiful trout pond and the sun is out. Oh beautiful ball of fire in the sky
NOTE:
PEOPLE: I’ve met tons and it’s incredibly impressive that there are people here between the ages of 6 and 74, all with different hiking plans and goals. Of all shapes, sizes, ambitions and courage, strength and smiles. And crazy pack setups… to each their own, I’m not judging.
TERRAIN: I have «studied/read/observed» numerous accounts and tips for hiking this trail over the years, and a recurring theme is the brutal terrain, especially the ups and downs in Georgia (where I currently sit). Without exaggeration, I can inform everyone that it is HARDER than I imagined in all my reading/viewing. Up, down, up, down, ABSOLUTELY nothing smooth, level walking on the local forest type trail. LOTS OF LOTS, rocks, boulders, roots, streams… you name it. Maybe, although I emphasize that my difficulties make it harder than I predicted and a little older and weaker than the real crowd of hikers… no, it’s incredibly HARD.
ME:
Mentally, no problems…this rain stinks, this hill stinks, or have I already reached that point? It’s not a big deal. I continue hour after hour (my rest schedule) and minimize the daily task…eating the elephant one bite at a time.
Physically: Yes, PAIN, but so far everything is manageable step by step.
Equipment: Everything great, everything I need in its rightful place and with a great weight that makes even the simplest task easier… picking up the water bottle while walking. My wife’s great packing, organizational skills and vision of how everything should work and a few walks over the past few months have made things easier.
UNTIL NEXT TIME.. HUGE Thank you to all the friends and family and family friends who are thinking of me. It really makes a difference in every step I take.
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