Date: 2004-03-10
From: Amicola Falls State Park - Georgia

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

7:20 PM:   First Day on the AT!What a BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING! Over the past two day we drove through horrible weather. We awoke this morning to sunshine and an awesome western omelet w/ coffee and O.J. It was a great day for hiking, upper 40's -mid 50's with lots of sunshine. The Approach Trail wasn't too rough much better than the ADK (Adirondack Mtn.)trails. Went down to the visitors center and signed the register for the AT @ 9:12 AM and also bought a Thru-hikers Companion book. Before hiking weighed my pack....58 pounds. After some pictures @ the start of the approach trail we got hiking at 9:30. The first mile wasn't as bad as they made it out to be and we did it in about 30 minutes. Dad hiked the approach trail w/ me till 11:20 where we thought we'd gone about 6 miles. Try more like only 3 miles. I kept hiking and stopped for a quick picture and chocolate delight KRAVE bar (damn they're good!)@ the AT approach/Len Foote Hike Inn Trail junction. I reached Black Gap Shelter at 1:15 ate some Power Bar bites stretched and took a nice 20 minute break. From this point on my heart was pumping and a wide smile christened my face the entire 40 minute climb up to the summit of Springer. After a few photos and signing the register it was down to Springer Mtn. Shelter for the rest of the afternoon.After talking for a while my Dad was to head back down to the car. I walked him down, gave him a big hug goodbye and thanked him for the 4 (6)boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Dinner tonight was GREAT. Kraft mac & cheese and 1/2 # of Mexican ground beef. It tasted great but got cold fast. Went back to the summit to watch a gorgeous sunset. It's gotten pretty cold since the sun had gone down. Well BEDTIME @ 7:48! I'm TIRED.~Dwight~ AT 2004MOM's Note: What in bed by 8 PM I haven't seen that in 10 years. Love you and goodnight sweet dreams.DAD Journaling as Dwight:Finally I'm underway! Dad drove me south - 1,000 miles across Smokies (and snow) to spend night of 9th at Amicola State Park Lodge (I'd highly recommend it!). After a final meal, a "last supper" of sorts, I spread all my gear out on the bed for one last cross check. After months of anticipation and preparation (and spending $$$), everything was present and accounted for.Despite dad's insistence on starting from the Lodge, I made him drive down to the Visitors Center and start the AT Approach Trail from the base of the falls (another 1,000 foot elevation climb to start!). Dad hiked in about 4 miles and turned around to get his van and drive to Springer Mountain via US Forestry Service Route 42 (don't be fooled - it's 6.8 miles of single lane, unpaved dirt with many pot holes and rocks). Dad parked at the designated parking area and hiked up the 0.9 miles to the Springer shelter to meet me. I hiked the last 3 miles or so with Claude, a white bearded gent from nearby Atlanta who was starting a 4 day section hike. He was an experienced backpacker and rock climbers whose recent excapades included climbing the Matterhorn (yes, the one in Switzerland)! I also met up with a young fellow from Vermont who graduated from Skaneateles High School (nearby my home town outside Syracuse). He was just starting out on his through hike and like Claude, was experienced in hiking the Adirondacks (a 46'er) and Vermont's Long Trail. He had set out a more ambitious schedule than I. Lastly, there was this other older fellow (trail name = Seiko)who proclaimed to my dad, "aw don't worry dad, I'm lazy and this is the start of my 14th AT through hike!" He had set his solo MSR tent away from the shelter where the other 3 of us spent the night. While somewhat eccentric, I plan on sticking to the multi-trekker for a couple of days to gain some sage wisdom. You can only get so much from reading books; his insight will prove invaluable later on!!