Date: 2005-04-02
To: Springer Mt Shelter
Miles today: 8.8

Well, here I am in my sleeping bag with 3 guys snug to my left and two snug to the right! It's about 9pm and I'm settled in for the night. I am at the Springer Mt Shelter after the 8.8 mile hike on the approach trail. I was quite surprised that it was raining when my Mom, Dad and I got to Amicalola Falls State Park. I was even more surprised that about a 1/4 mile in my hike the rain turned to snow. It started out as a mix, but turned to snow the higher in elevation I got. All in all it turned into about 1"-2". I have some nice pictures to prove it. I knew it could snow but I really was not expecting it to happen. Thankfully John prepared me with a great pair of gloves and hat!Getting to the trail today was such a pain in the ass. I needed to mail my 1st bump box, a package to Matt with all my clothes for my break I will take for the bachelor party and wedding, and a small package to Hane. Anyway, at the time it seemed like such a struggle but in the large scheme of things, it was nothing. After going to the post office, we went to McDonalds for Breakfast. In a scene straight out of "Big Daddy", they say they are shutting down breakfast......10:30AM !! Luckily, we were able to talk her into placing this one last order. We made a quick stop at the store to pick up some last minute items like a lighter (which I forgot, so typical of me!) But wait until you hear what else I forgot later!!So anyway, we were on our way but we went the wrong way. Not once, twice, three or four times but at least 5-10 times. A 45 minute ride took us over 2 hours. It also didn't help that as we were only about 5 miles from the park the police had the road shut down due to a fallen tree that took out some power lines. We waited about 1/2 hr to get through that mess.I wasn't sure how I was going to be feeling on the day of my hike....excited, scared, nervous, anxious? Well, it was none of the above. it was just another day for me. Maybe I'm just dumb and didn't realize that I'm setting out for a 5-6 month hike. After finishing my 1st day, I feel great in spirits!!! The weather sucked today with the snow and we had such strong winds that they were calling for 50mph gusts. I think I felt a few! Even as I write, I can hear a constant wind blowing. Also, the sky was so beautiful tonight. After all the bad weather the sky cleared and I can see soooooo many stars.Despite being great in spirits, my feet hurt and my legs are cramping up. More importantly are my feet. The tops of my heels were rubbing on climbs and descents. I just checked them and I unfortunately have a blister on my right foot. Not happy about this. I knew they would come but I didn't think this fast. I think the cramping was from not stretching before or after. It's a bad excuse but the weather was just horrible and I didn't want to stop to stretch or check on my hurting feet. I almost didn't even stop for lunch because of the weather, but I was just too hungry. I've been told that you don't eat much in the beginning for the first two weeks or so but I ate like a hog today.Lunch: Ham sandwich (leftover from Easter dinner) and string cheeseDinner:Snickers; bunch of trail mix, 2 packs of ramin; 1 small bag of cookiesI should have eaten some snacks on the way but again, it was too cold & snowy to stop and get it out of my pack.So anyway let me tell you about what I forgot on my trip: Lighter, Pen (borrowed from a thruhiker right now) and worst of all, MY STOVE!!!!!!How did I do this? I thought it was bad enough that I forgot my lighter to start the stove but I dont't have my STOVE!!!! Another hiker let me borrow his, but I'm not sure about the next few days or whenever until I get mine. Hopefully people will be nice, and help me for the next few days.As for the people, there are about 8 of us in the shelter and maybe just as many in tents outside. I've met most of them and most seem to be pretty young and immature. However there are a few that seem cool. David, sleeping next to me, just finished the Florida Trail. I actually met him down at the Amicalola Falls welcome center and he was hitching a ride to the top but changed his mind as he didn't want to skip out even if it isn't a part of the official trail.There is also an older man, very nice and experienced and one other guy but haven't found out much about him yet.Tonight is the "Final 4" and I am trying to find it on the radio. I have great reception with lots of stations but I can't find it yet.Well, I'm sure there is more to write but I'm going to rest and listen to the radio for a little before going to sleep. 1 Day Down ----- about 199 more To Go!!!I'M LOVING IT !!!!