Date: 2004-03-14
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5

On the road (trail) again¢¦ 3.14.041pm Sorry for not finishing last night¢s entry. A lot happened and I¢ll try to fill in at the end of this one. Today is an absolutely gorgeous day. A very auspicious beginning to my trek. Right now, the temp is a balmy and breezy 72, according to my handy-dandy thermometer. Stopped for a bite to eat at the Black Gap Shelter. They¢ve got these pre-strung bear-bag hanging contraptions. A nice convenience (if they work). Ate lunch with Cat and John, from Georgia. She¢s going on to Virginia, he¢ll head home at Neel¢s Gap. Also passed 2 thru-hikers, Papa Bear and Dennis, from Chicago and Wisconsin, respectively. So, I am not alone! Was beginning to wonder, through, b/c I hadn¢t seen anyone for the first 1 12 hours. But, I passed 2 guys coming down from Springer at 10:25 (I started at 9 from Amicalola Falls). Then, I ran into P.B. and Dennis as another couple (and dog) were coming down. They said -- another 5 miles to Springer. P.B. and Dennis didn¢t believe they¢d only covered 4 miles, thinking the total was 6, 7, or 8. It¢s amazing how deceptive a mile can be when you¢re actually walking it. I, on the other hand, had underestimated the distance, thinking more like 2 12 rather than 3. I left them around 11:30 when they stopped for a snack. I¢m kinda hanging around now to hike up to Springer with them. And here they come now¢¦7pmAm satisfyingly full and rested now. Little bit of a headache; think it¢s b/c of dehydration and not eating enough. Only had one Luna bar, a few dried banana bits, and a handful of trail mix, plus Annie¢s for dinner. And I had to force that down. Well, they say your appetite recovers after a few days. Have met quite a few people, a lot of them thru-hikers. Papa Bear and Dennis, Cat and John, Nancy and Marty (Old Fogies Inc., another older couple), Vagrant (from PA!), Todd (Eagle Eye), Everett (Blue Bell, record holder w/ 63# pack!). All but P.B. and Dennis are camped at Stover Creek tonight. I made it a heck of a lot farther than I¢d expected to: 2.5 miles on the AT. But, since that sounds such a pitifully small amount, compared to the aches and pains I suffered, the actual mileage was 10.3. There, that sounds more respectable. Right now, it¢s getting dark. I set up my tent down by OFInc, along a stream. Good thing too. A troop of 4 college students from Texas showed up, on Spring Break. Also here are Note and Just Do It. Haven¢t met them yet. Up on top of Springer (awesome view for the monumental moment of actual trail start) around 2:15. Hiked w/ PB and Dennis. Latter was 7th Life Science teacher. Interesting guy. At Springer, talked w/ Gray Matter (2003 thru-hiker), a PhD student at Rutgers. Writing his dissertation on the subculture of AT thru-hikers. He interviewed me. Just started raining. Spitting is more like it. Hope it stops by morning. All in all -- an awesome first day. Got my ride up to Amicalola from Josh w/ Frank accompanying. Pack weight officially is -- 49#. Josh and Leigh have a great hostel. Will recommend to any and all. Can¢t beat the rates or the service. (Although she was a mite bit late picking me up off MARTA.) Really neat people though. However, it almost 8. I¢m tired. Long day today. Don¢t know how far I¢ll go tomorrow. One day at a time¢¦