Days 0 – 7: First Steps and First Impressions

Start: Springer Mountain, Georgia
End: Hiawassee, Georgia
NOBO mileage: 69.9

I’ve officially completed my first week along the Appalachian Trail. Woohoo!

While this is noteworthy enough as is, this landmark also marks another milestone: My longest backpack trip ever, for both days (7) and distance (70 miles). It’s been a whirlwind, but an overall positive one.

Day 0: The Approach

My life has been easing towards the trail for the last several weeks, with possessions going into storage and final preparations. So last Saturday I felt as if finally, the day has arrived. With three friends in tow joining me for the approach, we arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park. I checked in, got my hangtag (I’m #1518!), weighed my pack (28.8 lb with 5 days of food and 2 liters of water), and stepped onto the Approach Trail. It was sweaty, steep, and scattered with the frequent echo from day visitors,“You going all the way to Maine?”

We hit Springer Mountain by evening, met a friendly trail runner named Chris, and officially crossed paths with the first white blaze. That’s when the surreal started to set in.

Day 1: Springer Mountain to Hawk Mountain Campsite

My official start was a soggy one—both with the weather and for me. I cried for the first half mile after saying goodbye to my friends, sending them back along the Approach Trail to their cars and regular life. I then trudged through mist and mud. Lost my first aid kit (found it later), met my first thru hikers, and got my welcome to the trail in multiple ways. Things still didn’t feel quite real, but Day 2 would fix that.

Day 2: Hawk Mountain Campsite to Gooch Mountain Shelter

If Day One was soggy, Day 2 was drenched. Rain on and off through the morning gave way to a downpour in the afternoon. Thankfully i’d planned for a shorter day and made it to the shelter earlier in the day, but I was soaked. While it was miserable at the moment, in retrospect the thunderstorms provided me my first opportunity to really connect with other thru hikers (also taking cover from the storm in the shelter). Later in the afternoon the rain let up, allowing us to somewhat dry our gear and gather around the fire pit (sans fire because of the burn ban) to share stories. 

Day 3: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Woods Hole Shelter

Day 3 seemed determined to make up for any discomfort caused by Day 2. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and I got my first trail magic—an unexpected snack and kindness from strangers. I spent the early morning hiking with a couple of folks from the shelter the night before, learning more about their lives and motivations for taking to the woods.  These conversations were sincere and oddly comforting—reminders of humanity in the middle of nature. 

I was also able to take a shorter day and stay in Bear-canister restricted area. The requirement kept the crowds down and with the sun shining through until evening, life felt relaxed.

Day 4: Woods Hole Shelter to Low Gap Shelter

Day 4 started strong with a hot pocket and a resupply at Mountain Crossings. I was living the hiker trash dream: soda, snacks, phone charging, and friendly faces. I planned to go four more miles… but ended up hiking 7.5 more beyond that.

Bad call. Wanting to get to camp well before sunset, I pushed faster than my body was ready for. After 15.5 miles my feet were wrecked, my gear was soaked, and I spent the night with thoughts of stress fractures ruminating through my mind.

Day 5 and 6: Low Gap Shelter to Deep Gap Shelter

Within the hiking speed spectrum, I’m sitting somewhere in the middle currently—sometimes being passed by hikers who started after me and others passing those who started before me. It’s easy to get caught up in the expectations for speed and distance, even with a logical understanding that my “trail legs” will need another couple of weeks to fully mature.

My final two full days on trail were my time for a minor redemption. This is my hike—not anyone else’s—and I need to listen to my body to make sure the whole thing isn’t derailed. The mantra for these days (as well as the coming week):

Slow down to go fast.

So I did that. Still rocking out respectable distances, fueled by thoughts of town food, clean laundry, and sitting down in a chair.

Day 7: Into Hiawasee!

Day 7 was a quick 3.7-mile descent to Dicks Gap—and just as I arrived, trail magic appeared again! I scarfed down a burger and hot dog, then hitched a ride to Stanimals hostel in Hiawasee.

After a shower and some truly hideous loner clothes while I did laundry , I devoured a chicken sandwich at a town restaurant, did my resupply at Ingles, and capped the night off with Ben & Jerry’s and a campfire.

What I Learned in Week One

• Let yourself feel everything: From tears to laughter to the unfortunately early reality of sunburn and bug bites —it’s all part of the trail baptism.






• Hiker culture is fast, weird, and wonderful: Trail names, shared snacks, deep convos. It’s like speed-dating meets survival camp.






• Your body will betray you… then bounce back: Pain is real, but so is adaptation. Loosen your laces and press on. Also, shoutout to me for having zero blisters thus far!






• The little joys get you through the annoyances: Sunlight after a storm. A dry pair of socks. The next stop for a snack along the trail. These are everything.

Next week brings new mountains, new strangers, and most assuredly new challenges. For now, I’ll keep trekking along, one white blaze at a time.

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