Appalachian Trail Bender Team Version 2.0

Georgia NOBO

So, 2026 finds Katara (me) and Zuko starting at the southern end of Springer. A traditional northbound adventure heading to Harpers Ferry, WV. After that, Vermont, NH and Maine. There will be no repeat of Rocksylvania.

As we were getting our bearings, I looked out the window and saw the arch, which made me happy like a child at Christmas. Then we got our hang tags and finished the electronic registration. While this was happening I met Dillan, a young man who lives 18 minutes from my house.

After the photos, the climb now begins, passing by the Amicalola Falls. There are more than 600 steps, not difficult, but long and constant. For those familiar with the Niagara Gorge, it is about twice as high.

We continued along the approach trail and saw my first Georgia bear. He was resting under a tree. Ridge runners said it was there most of the week. Unusual behavior.

We moved on and took a break at Black Gap Shelter. While we were there we looked at the time and decided to stay there. We would have reached Springer in time, but we would settle in the dark. A little disappointed with the mileage, but I think I’ll appreciate the Southern Terminus better in the early morning.

DAY 2 Black Gap to Hawk Mountain

After a pre-dawn trip to get water for the day, head up the trail to the summit of Springer and the south end, Mile 0.0.

Continued to Hawk Mountain. A church group had set up for the weekend in tents and hammocks. They had left the shelter open. We arrived and set up in the shelter with our heads pointing outwards, the Georgia mice are quite busy looking for treats at night. One of the cowboy dads camped near the bonfire and tended a slow fire all night. The temperature had been in the 80s but cooled off at night.

Day 3: Hawk Mt to Gooch Gap

I woke up at 5:45 am, I don’t want to go to school. Ups and downs and then long to Gooch Gap. It’s still hot, I’m not used to it. Going to the Sobre las Nubes hostel. First I showered, washed my scalp three times and there is a very fine dirt that I think is actually shredded leaves that leaves a dirty patina all over my body and through my shoes to my dirty toes.

I walked down the road to Two Wheels, which had an excellent meat and cheese sandwich.

I took advantage of the free time at Above the Clouds to hit the 3-hole disc course and soak my feet in the cold spring.

Day 4: Gooch Gap to Jarrard Gap

Another warm day in the 80s. The plan is to get to Jarrard Gap. From Jarrard Gap, over Blood Mountain to Neels Gap, bear canisters are needed for camping. I don’t have one. Tomorrow I will thank myself for dividing this long mountain run into two pieces. A good amount of tents, we all walked with our bags of food towards the south and I found a good tree, but at the end of the night there was a very popular tree with a lot of bags. I didn’t sleep well. I was about to fall asleep and I saw a mouse running through the mesh of my tent. I stayed awake to the sounds of mice until 2 in the morning.

Day 5: Jarrard Gap to Bull Gap

We went up Blood Mountain and down to Neels Gap. Blood Mountain wasn’t the giant festival I thought it would be. Maybe because we didn’t start from the campground below at Lance Creek. The ridges and rocks reminded me of New York and New Jersey. I really wanted to see Neels’ iconic shoe tree, where working shoes are thrown into the tree. The Mountain Crossings store in Neels has everything: gear, food resupply, pizza and electrolytes. They had rocket flavored IV fluid, I like that one and I’m turning into an electrolyte hoarding elf. It has been unseasonably warm, especially for this tundra dweller.

I bought a whole pizza and ate half. I wrapped it up for dinner. Going up the hill. Neels was a kind of time vortex, as is any time spent near civilization. One of the hikers was nicknamed «Gussied Up» because he said «Beauty is pain» and insisted on taking a shower.

Well remember the lawnmower, one of the group we walked from Jarrard Gap started it, you can get a free pizza, he overlooked that but got a free cheesecake. He’s lactose intolerant, so to help out a fellow hiker, we all pitched in and ate a piece; It is important to minimize the weight of the backpack. I also feel that a route name will appear after that event.

Day 6: Bullish Gap to Down Gap

Well my earplugs really work, I forgot to set the alarm and didn’t wake up until 645am The noise of the little birds was cheerful once I took the earplugs out. I managed to break camp at 8 in the morning. Another hot day, big Wolf Laurel and Tesnatee Gap. The climb to Tesnatee was especially tough after our first magical trail at Gap. King Tut and Tom were making ham and grilled cheese sandwiches to order. I also bought chips, payday and a Coke. King Tut gave us microtowels that are light and quick-drying. They should work fine and not stink.

Day 7: Low Gap to Unicoi Gap

We got up early and hit the road at 7am to make sure we caught the free shuttle to Hiawasee, it’s at 10, 12, (2*) and 4. We booked the Green Dragon and are looking forward to it. I am looking forward to seeing “Bricky” from the class of 2024. The last climb up Blue Mountain was difficult. Model (who doesn’t speak much English) and who we met at Bull Gap caught up with us, just slapped him on the butt and winced in pain. We said “My ass hurts.” We may not be the best teachers, but we agree on burning.

Gussie walked past us and I asked him where «Motorman» was. I was thinking about Fixer in the Shelter, but I was still hesitating about it. It kind of came out of my mouth. Once it happened, I told him that. We all reconnected on Unicoi and he accepted it because it was easy to say and it spoke to him.

Upon arrival at 1, we discovered that the 2 o’clock shuttle was not the free shuttle. And there wasn’t one until 4. I think you have to arrange it in advance at the hostel. A trail runner Zuko was talking to about transportation schedules offered to take us to the lodge. Sweet! The construction had a one lane road and there was a slight delay while the guide truck reached the finish line and drove the cars up the hill and then came to us.

The Green Dragon Hostel. Carol and Bill are fantastic hosts. Comfy beds, plenty of bathrooms and showers, a wonderful communal dining area and they took us into town to resupply and feed us.

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