Date: 2017-06-26
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Miles today: 0.0

Gordon's Journey: Springer Mtn, Ga to HotSprings, NC STATS:274 miles on the AT (300+total miles of walking)76,200 ft elevation gain755,000 steps26 days and 23 hikingdays11.9 miles/ hiking day13.9 miles/ day (last6 days) PEOPLE ON THE AT:I met and talked to anestimated 140 to 160 people on the Trail, at Campsites and in the Trail Towns(I recorded that I talked to 50 to 60 groups with 1 to 4 people per group).Thru Hikers: There were14 Thru Hikers in this group. 7 of them were heading north and trying to reachMaine before the mountain there closes around mid October. 7 were hiking southand were going to flip back to Maine when they completed the southern section.I know at least 3 in this group were not going to complete the thru hike and Iwould love to know if the other 11 make it.Section Hikers: This wasthe largest group I talked to and I estimated it to be around 100 to 120 people.I consider you a section hiker if the group was doing at least 5 days or moreon their hike. Based on my conversation with this group:-At least 50% ofthis group would not complete the days or miles they planned to hike (example:planned a 10 day hike and only did 7) due to the AT being harder than theyexpected, sore feet or weather (top 3 reasons).-Only 4 section Hikerswere doing a section longer than my 274 miles.-I did not meet a sectionhiker that was doing more than 30 miles that was older than me.-I would estimate themix was 65% male and 35% female. I was surprised by the number of college agefemales that were hiking solo. FAVORITE THINGS ABOUTTHE HIKE:-Marilee meeting me atFontana Resort. I am not sure I would have continued if shedid not come and give mesupport.-Tyson meeting me on FathersDay and hiking the last 2 days with me.  FAVORITE THINGS THAT TOOKPLACE DURING THE HIKE:-Meeting and talking toall the people and hearing "their story".-Early morning on theAT when I was refreshed and the only noise was the breezein the leaves and the birds singing.-The Views that happenedevery day on the Trail. The best view was at Max Patch at mile mark 253.-Hours upon hours of beingable to think. There were a wide range of topics I thought about such as:   -what do I need to do to help the people I love to be happy  - was it more efficient for me to take a 2 foot step or2 1/2 foot step (E=mc2)     - what I can do to be a better husband, father and grandfather.  - Plus many more subjects  THE THING THAT HAPPENEDTHAT I WILL NEVER FORGET:-The face to face encounterwith the upset Mama Black Bear.BIGGEST FEELING OF ACCOMPLISHMENT: -The 2 big days of milesI had.    -Tricorner Knob to Standing Bear Hostel: 19.6 miles   -17 miles into NOC in the pouring down rain-Reaching Hot Springsin 26 days (I tracked/logged 32 thru Hikers journals to plan my hike. 1 person did it in 25 days and 2 did it in 26 days.The average was 30 days). My orginal plan was to be in Hot Springs on June 19 and that is when I got there. HARDEST PART OF THE TRAIL:-The climb over SassafrasMtn and Blood Mtn in Georgia on my 2nd day due to the steepness of the climband the terrain (rocks and boulders). WHEN I THINK ABOUT THETREK WHAT I WILL REMEMBERYEARS FROM NOW:-The peacefulness of themorning walk-How my senses seemedto be heightened (sounds, smells and etc). MY THOUGHTS:-IT WAS HARD - I thought I had trained hard to do thistrek.I know I am in much better shape today than when I did the Philmont Trek 10years ago. The trek was harder than I thought it would be. I would say it was twice ashard. The elevation gains were brutal and the the terrain was hard especiallyin Georgia and southern NC. You had to watch where you made every step andthere were very few switchbacks so you went straight up and straight down overthe mountains.Mostpeople think about a hike on trails that are well traveled and maintained, The ATis remote and not very well maintained in most places. The terrain is hard. Attimes it took me 1 hour to hike 1 mile.-PEACEFUL¢ It was hard but it also was very peaceful. I had hours to reflect on my thoughtsand to enjoy the views, the sounds in the forest, the breeze, the surroundingwildlife and the solitude.-PEOPLE¢ It was great to meet so many people and hear their stories. It became veryclear everyone had a story and each person's story is very important to them.-ACCOMPLISHMENTS¢ Setting goals and achieving them or doing your very best to achieve them isvery rewarding. FINAL THOUGHTS:Hopefullydoing this journey will have a positive impact on the way I view people and my surroundings.I know it is has increased my awareness of how important it is to appreciateand cherish the people you love. The time on the trail has help me reconfirmwhat is important in life and how I measure success. As Ihead home today I do realize I am the ¢luckiest guy in the world¢.Thanks forfollowing my journey.LuckiestGuy in the World,Gordon