On the AT! Days 1-4

Day 1: Springer Mountain to Hawk Mountain Shelter

Shortly after the Southern Terminus, at Springer Mountain, I passed Eric who was slack-packing to the terminus with his family.

As the day progressed I passed some delightful streams and leap frogged a couple of hikers throughout the day.

I stopped at stover creek shelter for some lunch of a electrolyte tablet, water, peanut butter, fig bars, and a jerky stick.

I really enjoyed this section near stover creek. The smell of pine needles, the softness of rotting needles underfoot. The sound of the creek running nearby, the delightful downhill slope, and the rhododendron.

Eric caught up to me. Eric explained his reasoning for being out here and we hiked for a bit before getting to an ascent where I slowed WAY down and he flew past. We met back up at Hawk Mountain Shelter where we joined the other 15-20 hikers, including the Leap Frog Guys, and settled in for a potentially wet night!

Day 2: Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Mountain Shelter

Fog drifts through the trees,
Hiding the world from view,
Enjoy what is near.

I woke up to the rain petering out but still falling. I changed into hiking clothes and grabbed my food to make breakfast in my shelter. While prepping, Eric broke out his uke and sang Big Rock Candy Mountain.

It was a moving moment, that brought tears to my eyes for some reason. It’s as if this was the kinda magical moment I came out here for, and I was glad I was in my shelter so nobody could see the moment. It’s hard to look like I belong out here when without my beard I look like I’m 15, letting people see me cry won’t improve the situation.

The rain was predicted to stop around 8am. By the time I packed it was about 9am and it was sprinkling. I decided to forgo my rain poncho and just deal with the sprinkles.

I did test my waterproof hat to keep my glasses dry and it got the job done. The glasses fogging was different, but wearing them further from my face seemed to help in that department.

It’s as if the weather saw my decision and decided to punish my choice. Icy cold rain start pouring about 30 minutes later. I was nearing Cooper gap by the time it finally let up. Nature then decided to help me out by drying me back off with some frigid wind. 

I took a break to put on my jacket, gloves, and stocking cap just in time for the rain to stop and the sun come out making it too hot for the gear. The Leap Frog Guys caught up to me at this point. 

I saw some critters today and was able to get some decent pictures of them. It occurs to me that most people believe life came from a sigular source, whether created or evolved. And yet, we tend to disregard and lack respect for our brethren of life. 

Justus Creek was absolutely beautiful and not just because it was the first place to get water since I left Hawk Mountain 6 miles prior. I sat here and took it in for awhile.

Eventually Brian, a section hiker from Hawk Mountain Shelter caught up to me. He was hiking with a thru-hiker named Gurner who had attempted the hike previously but had to get off trail due to issues with Achilles tendon. He is back this year for another attempt.

I arrived at Gooch Mountain Shelter in the afternoon. Brian and Gurner were already here, and the Leap Frog Guys caught up shortly after I arrived. This place ended up being packed. I hung out in my hammock for the most part. This group seemed a bit more rowdy than the last two nights and I wanted some quite after the tiring day.

Day 3: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Jerrard Gap

Today has been a much nicer day than yesterday. The sun is shining and there is no fog in sight. It’s pleasantly warm!

I’ve continued leapfrogging the 2 section hikers I have since day 1.

I also ran into Chris, a gentleman I camped with at Gooch Mountain Shelter, he is a section hiker heading to Hiawassee to meet with family. We met later on the trail and posed for pictures.

We also met Loose Screw another thru-hiker who is slackpacking today on her way to Woody Gap.

Woody Gap was a nice stop on the trail. It’s interesting how a few days in the woods will make you appreciate the little things; we wer all very excited to see a trashcan, and even took pictures with them. I had brought some salmon with me and the packs were really starting to stink.

I made my way down to the stream for water with the Leap Frog Guys; it took us a bit to find water but refilled and hit the trail. I got to the top of trail where there is an overlook of some mountains. A gentleman was photographing a family so seized the moment and asked him to snap a picture of me too.

My Leap Frog partners came up the trail and we talked for a bit and they said they were done with their section hike and so this would be the last time we’d cross paths.

It had been nice seeing familiar faces on the trail and they will be missed. I offered to take their picture for them and a misunderstanding led to a great photo with all three of us!

I continued on thinking about the departure and how there will be a lot more of that on this trip before it is over. About that time I ran into Nancy from Hawk Mountain Shelter. We exchanged pleasantries and she mentioned that Eric was likely well over blood mountain by now. About an hour later I ran into Too Late, also from Hawk Mountain Shelter, who was “hiking with” Nancy.

A ridge runner warned me that it was going to be very windy that night and to watch out for trees falling. I told her I planned to stay at Lance Creek and she said that it would be good and there were about 6 guys staying there.

I got to Lance Creek and ran into Chris again. There was another thru-hiker named Hunter there with him and shortly afterwards another thru-hiker named Mitchell from Gooch Mountain Shelter showed up. I decided to press on to Jerrard Gap to cut out some of the miles to Neel Gap tomorrow.

A couple that stayed at Gooch last night arrived as I was leaving. 

I felt great leaving and glad I decided to cut out some tiring miles for the next day.

I arrived and the wind was AWFUL. I got my rain fly up and it did a great job blocking the wind.

Brian and Gurner were here and Mitchell and Chris showed up after me.

We sat around the fire pit exchanging stories and talking about religion. Brian is a minister. There was another section hiker here named Collin and we practiced bear hangs together as thus was the first night with no bear box for us to use.

I lay down and typed this out but am exhausted and excited for sleep. In the morning, we would contiunue our march to an ancient battlefield.

Day 4: Jerrard Gap to Neel Gap

Today we woke up and slowly made our way out of our setups to head up the mountian. Our maps and apps showed us that there would more elevation today than we had run into yet, and we were not looking forward to it. 

Hunter showed up while we were prepping for the day and he and I set off together, but he quickly outpaced me. 

Honestly the climb up Blood Moutain wasn’t too bad. It was a long climb, but it wasn’t steep so that was nice. I passed another Thru-Hiker named Poles on the way up the trail. 

At the top I met up with Hunter and then the rest caught up. It ended up we had a small gathering that met up. Hunter, Mitchell, Chris, Loose Screw, Poles, Dennis (who stayed at Jerrard Gap with us last night) and the couple Stephan and Shelby (the couple who showed up to Lance Creek as I was leaving).

We chatted and took a break before stampeding down the mountian to gather again at Neel Gap where we enjoyed pizza, toilets, showers, electricity, phone signal and data, laundry, and a resupply.

I took some time in the afternoon to type up this post, but it was hard to do so as many people were arriving and it was very social. There was a german group, a man named Wing It (who if he were in a bathrobe I think he could have passed for The Dude from the Big Lebowski), Danada was here who said he would be going home, Brian left here today as his section hike was complete, as well as all of the others I had been hiking with the last couple of days.

My hammock is strung up behind the shop here and I will be heading to bed soon after some more socializing.