Date: 2008-04-07
From: Springer Mountain Shelter campsites, GA

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

First, let me clear one thing up about yesterday. Although I actually hiked 9 miles my first day, only .2 mi of that "counts". The Approach Trail is not considered to officially be part of the AT and I'm only going to record AT miles in the counter on my journal. There will be many days I walk a bit more than the mileage specifies; sometimes I will take a short side trail for a view or to get a shelter or camping area. I decided to do the Approach Trail because it is a tradition and I had heard so much about it I wanted to see it for myself. Back to today - and what a day it was! A bit harder than yesterday despite the lower mileage, but wonderful. The fog rolled in on top of Springer last night, so my tent was damp when I packed it up. Padre, the seam sealing we did seems to be working so far! By the time I hit the forest service parking lot I had walked down out of the fog and it was a really nice day. Sunny and cool - perfect hiking weather. Mountain Squid, who hiked the AT in two chunks in '04 and '06, was set up in the parking lot handing out food and drinks to hikers and recording who came through. I remembered him from Whiteblaze.net, the main AT forums. I knew I had more than enough food and my hiker hunger hasn't kicked in yet, so I just took a juice and chatted with him while I drank it. Nice guy. More hiking commenced and when I got to the next good stream, I met Terry and Chris. They greeted me by saying, "You must be Jenny! Loco and Curmudgeon were asking about you. They're just ahead." I had to laugh at that; those guys are so worried about me and here I am so worried about them! I needed water, so I got my gravity filter (ULA Amigo Pro) out for the first time. Now, I know I should have tested it before I left, but that was just one of those things that feel by the wayside. So, here I am trying to get it to work as hikers keep coming by. First was Jason, another thru-hiker. Then Mike, a local historian/naturalist surveying hikers, and his friend came southbound. Mike and I chatted for a bit and he couldn't figure out the filter either. At this point I realize it is probably like the Brita filter I use at home; it needs a good 15 minutes or so soaking in water before it will work properly. I decided to worry about it later at camp and by that point Mr. J (who I met at the Springer shelter last night) and Free Wil had joined the party. Free Wil generously allowed me to use some of his Aqua Mira drops to get another liter of water. I set off hiking with Mr. J and Free Wil, two really nice guys who both happen to be 45. We soon came upon Loco and Curmudgeon taking a break, so we joined them. I think Loco and Curmudgeon were shocked that I had made that far in sandals. They did concede that the Romans wore sandals, but I think there are still having trouble wrapping their minds around it. Despite having lowered their pack weights (Loco is now at 61 lbs), they were struggling and weren't sure they would make it to camp. The rest of the hike was great, although I forgot to take the short side trail to Long Creek Falls, which is supposed to be spectacular. Oh well, another time! I got to camp in the early afternoon, took my time getting set up, and chatted with the other hikers: Red (from Maine, the first female thru I have met), Terry and Chris (former SWAT guys from Florida out for a few days), Jason, Free Wil, Mr. J, Jeff (soon to be a ranger in Maine), Peach and Fuzz (couple from Michigan) and many others whose names I forget (Have I mentioned I'm terrible at remembering names? Please forgive me!) One of hikers out for a few days, a nice older gentlemen coming south whose name I forget (sorry!), asked about my journal and told me to be sure to write about how I make out tomorrow since he found the terrain a bit rough. Everyone has been remarking that I am a fast hiker. I do seem to be one of the speedier hikers in the group I'm traveling with so far and it's weird because I'm used to being one of the slowest hikers! But, so far I'm feeling good, so I'm going with it. Later in the evening Chris told me Loco and Curmudgeon had made it and were camped close to the AT (the shelter was maybe .1 mile off the trail). So Red and I took a stroll up to see them. We were surprised at how full the campsites near the shelter were and there were even more people camped up by the trail. We found Loco and Curmudgeon and despite the rough day they seemed to be in good spirits. They are planning on taking a zero tomorrow and then heading to Suches, GA to drop even more pack weight. Red and I chatted with them, OleMan and NaviGator (a couple who own the Appalachian Trail Lodge and Cafe in Millinocket, Maine), and The Poet and Hippie Chick (OleMan and NaviGator's son-in-law and daughter who are thru-hiking this year). Hippie Chick looked so much like my friend Gina and even had some of the same mannerisms that it freaked me out a bit! Yep, wonderful day. Tomorrow brings Sassafras Mountain, affectionately referred to as "Sassafras Kick Your Ass" on the trail.