Date: 2017-03-08
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 15.8

Day 01: Springer Mountain to Gooch Mountain Shelter - 15.8 miles:So I'm at it again, for at least the next 30-45 days. A return to the AT where, nearly two years ago now, I started off on a hike for the ages. I invite anyone who wishes to follow again to relive my adventures in a new year, a new hike, new characters, and what will ultimately be a new adventure. Your support, as always, will not go unnoticed, and will be greatly appreciated.After a somewhat bumpy start to 2017, I decided to take advantage of my hiking itch and spend some time on what ultimately became the AT. Even though many hours were spent researching other trails such as the Florida Trail and the Great Enchantment Trail, the AT eventually became the logical choice after being delayed a month waiting for car repairs to be completed. With the previous experience under my belt, I decided time on a trail that taught me so much about myself, only this time knowing what to expect along the way, would me by next course of action before potentially attempting the PCT later this Spring. I say potentially in that my plane ticket has been purchased, I spent time on the phone with my old AT buddy, General Burnsides - picking his brain after his 2016 PCT thru-hike (and also chatting to Moosehead in the process as well), and 30-45 days on the AT will provide sufficient time getting in the best mental and physical shape possible. However, I'm open to the possibility of feeling "nyeh" after the next month plus, that this round in the woods was sufficient, or, as several of this new year's crop of thru-hikers have suggested - why stop if I make it that far? The AT has always, and does so after today, hold a special place in my heart and it continues to nudge me gently, whispering in my ears in the process, "What do you say?" For now, however, a point in southern Virginia remains the exit point this time around, still nearly 520 miles away.I send to a big thanks to my old high school friend, Brandie Wheeler, and her husband, Shayne, for hosting me for a day before I was due to bus out of Evansville, IN. Brandon's father has been kind enough to watch my vehicle during this time, a gesture no amount of thanks can show show how grateful I am. After a day of catching up, good laughs, and solid company, Brandie saw me off at the bus station for my 8-hour ride to follow. Being a 7pm departure, I knew I was in for a restless evening, which unfortunately was proven accurate. I met my first thru-hikers in Nashville and, after reaching Atlanta at 3am, spent the next seven hours chatting about my past hike, and offering him any advice to the questions he had. Eventually he was off and i was left to fight the physical and mental stress that accompanies an extended period of no sleep. At 11am i made my way to the MARTA station and began heading to North Atlanta where a shuttle to the Hiker Hostel in Dohlanega, GA was due to pick me up at 1pm. This is, of course, after I boarded the wrong train and ended up closer to east Atlanta. However, with plenty of time to spare, I made it to my destination, and was able to score some Chic-fil-A in the process. The kind words from the manager had signaled the return of the kind of kindness only found in a place like this.At 1pm I crammed into a bus with eight other, mainly quiet hikers. Brothers from New Jersey, a couple from Michigan, friends from Ohio. After an hour ride and a quick stop at a Walmart, we arrived at the Hiker Hostel which, as I had previously heard, was the nicest hostel on the trail. Point proven. Hand-built by the owners, thru hikers of a decade ago, it's built on a slice of Georgia perfection, nestled just outside the shadow of Springer Mountain, overlooking mountains to the east. A super relaxing stay in a clean, welcoming, beautiful place, I couldn't have asked for a better evening - mainly for the comfortable bed calling my name. A shower, chatting with hikers, a breakfast of eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, grits, and coffee, and a shuttle to the trail head. What more could you ask for? Cheers to the awesome staff that has devoted the past decade giving back so much to the trail.Exiting the shuttle at 9:30am, I originally planned to head north from the parking lot, a mile north of Springer, not worrying about the 2-mile round trip to the summit. However, being such a beautiful morning, I made the trip and was able to grab a view pictures and enjoy the view I wasn't provided two years ago. The next few hours were spent hiking solo - music in, my muscles strong, and legs relearning the terrain. With only a couple hours of music time so far, I'd like to report I'll be much happier with my selection, having had plenty of time to update it - no John Denver anymore, for one example. Just after noon, I entered an open field draped in sunlight - the location of my first trail-dump. Sitting nearby were Purple Pony and "just Sarah." Purple Pony is from southern Indiana and, as her husband maintains their farm, will be attempting a hopeful thru-hike. Sarah is 21, from Michigan and, with her beautiful husky, Odin, will also be attempting a thru-hike except for the places her dog cannot go - the Smokies, for one. If he doesn't go, she doesn't go. The bond between them is undeniable after spending the remainder of the day hiking with her while he dashed across the trail, chasing what-nots and what-have-yous, but always stopping to catch her eye before going too far. Caught in an early void I'm an otherwise busy time for hopeful hikers, we stayed together and enjoyed the company the comes with learning about someone new - reason for hiking, brief family history, and pre-trail lives. Eager to scoop up whatever advice I could give, I provided my share of such as well. We pushed at a slow, though steady speed, over what will eventually be viewed as minor hills. Stopping at potable water tank left by he Army that uses the area for training, we relaxed and waved hello and soldiers drove by - the red cross of the medics painted on the side of one.Once over the really only butt-kicker of the day, "Kiss my ass" Sassafras Mountain, the remainder of the early evening would descend relatively downhill until reaching Gooch Mountain Shelter just before 6pm. As the last arrivals, much of the shelter and surrounding camping spots were claimed by the two dozen or so hikers there. After a quick dinner of hydrated rice, crackers, nutri grain bars, and a honey bun, a ridge runner suggested a stealth site on a low ridge some ~200 yards away. "Just Sarah," Oden, and I made our way over and enjoyed the last couple hours of evening in a nice area by ourselves, continuing our chats until hiker midnight of 9pm arrived. It's currently just after 9:30pm, "just Sarah is snoring, and I'm wrapping up the first entry of what couldn't have been a better day to start another walk in the woods. A good introduction back into the woods, and the culture that comes with it. Feelings will change as the aches, soreness, and the endless starving most surely return. For now, a bright moon fills a star-studded sky overheard, the air is crisp and cool, and aside from the dreaded enemy resonating from the tent nearby, today was an enjoyable one, and I was quickly reminded of what makes this a special place.