Date: 2006-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've hiked the AT, it's old hat, but I'm still really excited about hitting the trail again for a month before my PCT hike! Having hiked it, unlike last year, I know exactly what to expect, and I can't wait. The water, the best tasting water out there, is awaiting. No, I won't be up in Maine with the crystal clear water, but even the water in the South is better than anything I get around here! I remember my excitement when I signed in at the visitor center. It was fun. It was fun meeting people, it was fun seeing the sights, and it was fun hiking. Yeah, it was painful too, but if I wasn't having fun, I would have gone home. Sure there were low morale days. My knees were killing me in the Smokies and I traded last person into the shelter with Roller Girl on more than one occasion. My feet, oh my poor feet, in shoes that were too small, ouch! I learned, and my knees and feet healed.I remember meeting some of the wicked strong hikers. Thumper, O'connor, Scared of The Dark, Lightning Rod, and more. I figured I'd never catch up with them. I was behind Thumper and O'connor from Hiawassee on. I saw them again in the Mahoosuc Notch. That's the last time I saw the two of them, as they took some time off the trail, and I finished before they did. What a rush to see people that I hadn't seen since Trail Days, and that I'd been behind for months! It's not a race, but boy was it cool to catch up with people.Anyway, back to the beginning of my hike, as that's all I'll see this year. The views from Blood Mountain, the outfitter at Neels Gap, Hiawassee, Franklin, NOC, The Smokies, Hot Springs, Erwin, and maybe on to Kincora and/or Damascus. I really liked the section between Erwin and Kincora, so I may take the few days to go over Roan. It won't be the same this time without that little stray dog, or reports of the weekend hikers being shocked as I "charged up" Roan Mountain. I won't get into Erwin and have trail magic from the nice man rehabing his knee that gave us a ride to Miss Janet's or from Mrs Gorp in the form of a ride to Trail Days from Erwin.I won't be helping Miss Janet pack up her van after trail days and crossing my fingers that it makes it back to Erwin (we all need to chip in and get her a new van). Miss Janet won't be telling me that my uncle is only a few days ahead of me either. No, I won't meet up with Skywalker at Standing Bear Farm, and I won't hike into Hot Springs to Elmers with him, nor will I meet up with him again after The Priest.The adventures last year were wonderful, but there is a new set to be had this year. New faces, new friends, and new memories. There will be people I know, but won't see. Frosty, I hope your hike goes better than last year. Mrs. Gorp, enjoy your hike. Stumpknocker, I didn't stop for a sandwich at that shop up North and I should have, as yours looked awesome. It's the new adventures that have me up late right now though. Who will be at the hikerhostel when I fly into GA? Who will I be shooting the breeze with at the end of the day? Who will I meet that I'll see year after year on trails, at gatherings, and online?The East got dumped on this weekend, and it reminded my why I waited until mid-April to start my hike last year. I'm starting in early April this year and hoping that there isn't a big snowfall like last year. Six months is more than enough time to hike the AT, so I really don't understand why people are keen to start in Feb or March, but hey, HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike), and maybe I'll see you on the trail.For all current and future thru-hikers. It's not a race and start/finish dates mean nothing. Some people will hike faster than you and others slower, but it's the adventure, the hike, and everything else that matters. Don't put down people for going too slow or too fast. Some people like to spend time in camp and others like the spend all day hiking. Enjoy your hike and don't impose your idea of miles per day while hiking on others.