Day 1 : Feb 22
It actually feels somewhat strange to be on the trail. For the past few years, especially this last one, not a day would go by without thinking of the trail. Now I am here
At 730 we woke up, cooked breakfast, and packed out gear. The night was pretty cold, probably high teens or low 20's. From Amicalola campground to the visitor center is about a mile walk. What was amusing was the fact that we had to hike the famous 700 steps down to the visitor center. We signed in, talked to a few georgia forest rangers, and had our picture taken at the arch. While in orientation, we overheard the conversation between another hopefully through hiker and one of the rangers. She was curious about the average weight of a loaded backpack, to which he responded was about 30-35. Apparently, her bag was almost 45 pounds. That is nearly twice the weight of ours, which are 26. This weight includes clothes, sleeping gear, cooking knits, food, etc. Although this shocked us, she wasnt the only one with such a high pack weight.
Anyway, we walked back up the 700 steps and started the approach trail. The approach trail to springer mountain, where the AT officially starts is about 9 miles. 8 miles into the approach, we stopped to get lunch. We ate way to much food and enjoyed the afternoon by laying down in the hammock with a lovely 60 degree sun shining down on us as we waited out the food coma we ate ourselves into. After an hour and a half, we got up and summited Springer, although the hike itself and even the view isnt anything all to special, signing into the logbook and simply being at springing was an inspiration and truly exciting. From there we hiked to stover creek shelter. Along the way we got some trail magic from a guy who hiked the trail last year. When we got to stover creek shelter, there were maybe 20 other people there, including a boy scout group. We arrived a little later than we expected, but we were in bed by 7. We met two through hikers who do not have trail names, but for the sake of reference in this blog, I will refer to them as Vermont and Rice sides. From 7 to 730, the temp dropped 30 to 35 degrees making it another night of low 20's or high teens for sleeping.
Overall the first day was a huge success. We tested our abilities and officially made it 2.4 miles into the AT. With a bright blue sky the scenery was very nice as well. The trail conditions were slightly muddy in some parts. Other than some quick sections of elevating gain, the trail was fairly easy. I'd rate it a solid 4 out of 10.
Goodnight,
Tyler M
At 730 we woke up, cooked breakfast, and packed out gear. The night was pretty cold, probably high teens or low 20's. From Amicalola campground to the visitor center is about a mile walk. What was amusing was the fact that we had to hike the famous 700 steps down to the visitor center. We signed in, talked to a few georgia forest rangers, and had our picture taken at the arch. While in orientation, we overheard the conversation between another hopefully through hiker and one of the rangers. She was curious about the average weight of a loaded backpack, to which he responded was about 30-35. Apparently, her bag was almost 45 pounds. That is nearly twice the weight of ours, which are 26. This weight includes clothes, sleeping gear, cooking knits, food, etc. Although this shocked us, she wasnt the only one with such a high pack weight.
Anyway, we walked back up the 700 steps and started the approach trail. The approach trail to springer mountain, where the AT officially starts is about 9 miles. 8 miles into the approach, we stopped to get lunch. We ate way to much food and enjoyed the afternoon by laying down in the hammock with a lovely 60 degree sun shining down on us as we waited out the food coma we ate ourselves into. After an hour and a half, we got up and summited Springer, although the hike itself and even the view isnt anything all to special, signing into the logbook and simply being at springing was an inspiration and truly exciting. From there we hiked to stover creek shelter. Along the way we got some trail magic from a guy who hiked the trail last year. When we got to stover creek shelter, there were maybe 20 other people there, including a boy scout group. We arrived a little later than we expected, but we were in bed by 7. We met two through hikers who do not have trail names, but for the sake of reference in this blog, I will refer to them as Vermont and Rice sides. From 7 to 730, the temp dropped 30 to 35 degrees making it another night of low 20's or high teens for sleeping.
Overall the first day was a huge success. We tested our abilities and officially made it 2.4 miles into the AT. With a bright blue sky the scenery was very nice as well. The trail conditions were slightly muddy in some parts. Other than some quick sections of elevating gain, the trail was fairly easy. I'd rate it a solid 4 out of 10.
Goodnight,
Tyler M
Sounds like a fantastic start to your adventure 😀
ReplyDeleteMom
Maybe you can drop some of your gear in the pack of the female carrying 45 pounds, she may not notice it. You can pick it up once she reaches the shelter. :-) Great start to your trek... a big lunch, the hammock, and an afternoon nap. Temps sound perfect for late February at elevation. At your current pace, you will be out of Georgia in a week!
ReplyDeleteGreat first day you'll encounter more unprepared hikers as you traverse the trail, maybe she can carry my pack too. Enjoy the views they'll be spectacular in many places.
ReplyDeleteGood journal entries!
ReplyDeleteA "heavy" pack could be an effective trail strategy given adequate stamina and proper content. I think (?) that military field pack weight is 55 lbs. Not that hiking the AT is a kin to a military field op. However, it could be right for a slower pace and fewer resupply events. Kind of the same as trail runners vs. heavy hiker boots.