Date: 2013-03-02
From: Amicalola Lodge

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light snow

I cannot imagine a fuller day. I am writing this while in my sleeping bag, wearing almost everything I have, trying to thaw my toes while it snows outside. I'll start at the beginning. After a big breakfast Hoosier and I were really excited to be hiking. Within the first three miles we had several brief conversations with other hikers. Including one with a lady that was headed off the mountain after only one day and night on the trail. She said she'd start again when it was warmer. Because I live in Michigan, it has been quite a while since I have hiked on dirt. I thought that would change today, but last night's snow meant that almost all of our steps were on snow. After 7.2 miles, and with an overall gain of 2,000 ft elevation, we came to the summit of Springer Mountain, and the official start of the A.T. Isn't it funny that you have to hike a little over 8 miles on an approach trail just to get to the start of the official A.T.? There is a road that you can take up the mountain that will get you to within a mile of the official start, but that seemed like a shortcut to us (That is why the top of the page says we only hiked 2.8 miles....because you don't get to count the miles hiked on the approach trail.) As we approached the official trailhead and first summit we entered a winter wonderland. Hoar frost (which blown by the wind stretches out on one side of tree limbs like icy fingers) was on everything. At the summit, it was COLD. Brutal cold, with a strong wind on the exposed side. It was just too cold to linger for more then about 10 minutes. I was told to expect a very emotional reaction to the start of the trail but it was too cold to feel anything but the cold. We did take pictures at the famous plaque that marks the start. Shepherd, a thru-hiker, took our picture and described himself as "an active Christian." We hope to meet up with him again. There is a journal there to record your thoughts. It was so cold it was hard to hold the pen, but I wrote, "I'm grateful to be here. -Sparks." The best part of the day was still to come. We were hiking fast in an attempt to warm up when we came upon a mom and her 8 year old daughter. After passing them, I knew that I would regret it if I didn't go back and talk. I did and learned that this mom (Hoosier and I have given her the trail name, "Supermom") is hiking with her 3 children and a dog. Her goal is for them to make it to Maine in seven months. Her two boys, ages 10 and 12 were hiking just ahead. The little girl's name is Izzie. I've already told you how cold my hands were, but Izzie wasn't wearing gloves (since all they had were cotton gloves and they had gotten wet earlier in the day) and yet she was smiling. I took out my bag of trail mix and gave it to the three children. I tell you that only because it felt so good. It was my favorite part of the day. Hoosier and I decided to stop at the Stover Creek Shelter because we knew this family was going to be stopping there. There were about 10 other hikers, and a fire was going. We talked with the other hikers as we all gathered around close to try to warm up our hands and toes. The meager fire wasn't enough to really ward off the cold and Hoosier was standing there shaking and I wasn't much warmer. We decided to get into our individual tents and warm up. After I was in mine, I heard Hoosier quietly get out of his, and then go over to the Mom and her children's tent and give them his sleeping bag liner to help the children stay a little warmer. Now, THAT was sacrificial. It has been a great start, and my toes have warmed up while I was writing this. Time to get some rest.