Date: 2003-04-03
To: Springer Mountain - Neel's Gap
Miles today: 30.7
Weather: few clouds

Springer Mountain - Neels Gap. 30.7 miles.By the time we got fuel and reached Amicalola Falls, it was 1pm. The guy at Galyans gave us bad info about fuel, but the nice people at the visitor center filled me up for free. I got a ride to the top of the falls, said my goodbyes, and hiked 6 miles to the first shelter. It was filled with noisy boy scouts, but the shelter itself was empty, which meant not having to set up my tent. I was later joined by a man from southern France who barely spoke any English.It was nice being almost alone in my shelter, as no one could see my rookie mistakes. My filter stopped working after just a half bottle of water. It took me 20 minutes to fix that. I hung my food bag so poorly, but finally just gave up, until an AT caretaker showed up and suggested I rehang it, as it was "easy pickins" for a bear. And I had over-filled my gas bottle, so when I took it out, it spilled all over the picnic table. Still not used to this stove, when I lit it, it blew up like the olympic flame. The fuel I spilled on the picnic table lit too. I quickly doused it before it started a forwst fire! And I fell asleep to the sound of rowdy boy scouts. But I was so tired, I barely heard them. My official Day 1 started at 6:00, and I was out of camp by 6:45. I reached the official trailhead at 7:30, but it was cold and windy, so I didn't linger. I headed down into a lush green area, where I lost the trail, and spent 20 minutes flailing around in the woods. I headed down toward the stream, where I picked up the trail again. I did about 8 miles before noon, and stopped at a stream and shelter for lunch. I must have fallen asleep, until a passing hiker woke me. The next shelter was 8 miles away, but I didn't want to stop at noon. Plus at my current pace, I'd be there in just 4 hours.From there the trail got brutally steep. The hot afternoon sun made it very slow going. I nursed my bottle of water, until the trail book played an April Fools joke on me. Thinking I was only a mile away from the stream, I guzzled down half my water. I passed a fellow hiker who told me that was the NEXT mountain. So, I plodded up the neverending Sassafras Mtn, stopping every few minutes. My feet hurt, and my shoulders were aching. Finally, I hit the gap, and decided that water or not, there was no way I could make it over one more mountain. But I guess my thirst took over, because 5 minutes later, I found myself trudging up and down Justus Mountain. And what a reward I got on the other side!First I ran to the stream, filtered a full bottle of water, and drank it. There were about 10 tents in the area. Some of the hikers were very impressed that I did 15 miles, as they were complaining about only having done 5. I set up my tent, cooked dinner, filtered more water, and hung my food bag all with little trouble, which was good since tonight I had an audience. I cooked some dehydrated beef stew my mom had bought me at Galyans the day before - a well deserved treat after a 15 mile day. I made some light conversation with my fellow hikers, then was lulled asleep by the stream. I felt fantastic! This was what AT hiking was all about.Day 2 was excellent. I felt great all day, and put in 13.8 miles. I think it's because I payed better attention to hydration. Staring at 1 on my first day put me in between waves of hikers. But I think things are evening out, and I have caught up to the wave ahead of me. I was up and out by 6:30 to get some good morning hiking in.At about 10:30 I hit Woody Gap, which had water, great views, and flush toilets. There I met 3 hikers with a dog named Barley. Barley likes to play fetch, and a few times tried to make off with my hiking stick. I also met Cougar, who I ended up hiking with for the rest of the day.At about 12:30, we hit a spring with about 10 thru-hikers lounging around. We ate, laughed, and soaked our feet. It was a perfect lunch. Then about another 5 miles brought us to Slaughter Gap campground. It was a windy night at Slaughter Creek. I was out at about 7:30, with visions of cold soda and doritos pulling me to Neels Gap. It was a very steep climb up and down Blood Mtn, the highest point on the AT in Georgia. A few of us lingered, but not for long.In pulled into Neels Gap at about 9:30. I immediately splurged on food, shower, and laundry. There are plenty of hikers rummaging around. I will probably spend most of the day lounging around here, then perhaps crash at a camping area 1.5 miles up the trail.So far, AT hiking has been everything I expected it to be - and more. About 20% of thru-hikers drop out at this road crossing. I am ready to keeep going. Well, after I go buy some ice cream.