The waiting is the hardest part

Tom Petty said it. And he was right.

Not that I ever doubted Tom Petty’s wisdom.

«I will keep this world from crawling away‘ below.» «Most of the things I worry about never happen anyway.» «Some days they’re diamonds, other days they’re rocks.» (That last one suggests Tom Petty may have climbed the AT!).

But “is the waiting the hardest part”? He definitely got that right. reference source.

My recorded AT start date was January 27th. But Winter Storm Fern had other plans.

72 hours of snow, rain, and sleet across all of North Georgia (and much of the Southeast, including my hometown of Nashville), and poof! My start date was no longer there.

Now I know what it’s like to be a NASA space shuttle. Months of preparation and a report of cold weather rule out the launch.

So here I wait. Day by day. Climbing the walls. Hoping things get better tomorrow.

A benefit of all this waiting? I had the opportunity to experience the amazing Appalachian Trail community that I have heard so much about. reference source.

I started by calling the visitor center at Amicalola Falls State Park. Lihat juga reference source. On consecutive days I spoke with Andrea, Megan and Ella. Everything amazing. Each takes the time to tell me what they hear about trail conditions and implore me to be safe.

I called ATC and by incredible luck got through to Caitlin. What started as a few quick questions turned into a 45-minute talk. Caitlin provided me with websites, phone numbers, resources, and the most amazing overview of ATC you could imagine. Caitlin, you are an Appalachian Trail treasure.

Each day, I spoke with a different ranger at the U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee National Forest. Each expert and professional in their own right. Giving me the road conditions, the weather conditions and each one imploring me to stay safe.

Finally, Lucky at the Above the Clouds Hostel. Already planned as my first off-trail stop, I decided to call Lucky. What a guy! Weather reports, road conditions, trail conditions, a STRONG recommendation to «delay until the bitter cold subsides», but also a guarantee that it will be open no matter what and will come pick me up anywhere from Springer to Neel Gap. Luckily, you live up to your reputation!

I haven’t set foot on the road yet. And I already feel like I have an army taking care of me.

It’s the AT hiking community.

Well, T-minus 3 days until the rescheduled launch. Let’s hope this one takes off!

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