Date: 2014-04-27
From: home

To: Who knows
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 0: Northern, VA to Black Gap Shelter via United Airlines, DWH and the Approach Trail)Ready or Not¢¦ (Not. Really, I am NOT ready)A morning flight and fortunately, Sunday is quiet at the airport; the flight to Atlanta was uneventful. I arrived in Atlanta, and met Dah Wah He who graciously offered to drop me off at Amicalola Falls State Park. He¢s in full hiking attire: a kilt and in the back of the Dah Wah-mobile, an Osprey pack- his ¢go bag¢. We chat as he drives north, it¢s been about a year but as always, I find our conversations easy, like we just saw each other last week. Made a few stops along the way, he tried to convince me to hang out for the day and start tomorrow but I felt strongly about starting today. When I left the airport terminal, I was hit with a wave of warm air, I started sweating but the drive to Amicalola had cooled things off a bit; clouds started to form, filling the formerly blue sky and thus another hike begins with forecasts of rain. We arrived at Amicalola around 2:30 or so, and I reassembled my backpack into something I could carry. Dah Wah He took a few ¢starting¢ photos near the archway and we said our goodbyes. I hope to see him in 5-6 days when I am up near Unicoi. I walked through the archway, beginning the Approach Trail, an 8.8 mile hike north from the Amicalola visitor center to Springer Mountain. Technically this is not part of the AT but each year a number of thru hikers climb the 600+ stairs to the top of the falls and complete this maintained approach trail prior to stepping foot on Springer Mountain. I guess I am just masochistic, the climb was exhausting but it just seemed that for all the money I was spending to make the trip, I should walk as many miles as I could . The Amicalola Falls stairs kicked my butt and kept a piece of said hind quarters for a souvenir. A woman took my photos at the top of the falls and then I entered the woods¢¦I was on my way.Pretty wildflowers on the trail, just like last year; the Dwarf Iris¢, some Fleabane, flowering Dogwoods, it was nice, many trees however had not leafed out, some didn¢t even appear to have buds yet- it¢s been a slow start to spring. The approach trail was not too harsh; the clouds finally let loose with rain but thankfully, not a downpour. It was a tiring walk, I did VERY LITTLE to prepare for this hike and I figured that would be a decision I regretted early on. During the ride up, Dah Wah He had told me that on his first hike, he made it about 4 miles in before stopping, just exhausted. I figured I could get passed that marker but as I arrived at Frosty Mountain with its nice flat camping area, I could feel myself wanting to throw down my tent and crawl inside to pass out. Two things kept me from making that decision: 1) I could not locate a blue blaze for water and needed some and 2) it was raining and I hated the idea of setting up my tent Day 0 in the rain. I tried to call the Len Foote Inn to see if they had room, but no answer. At that point, I made the decision to push on to Black Gap, regardless of how long it took. I trudged along in the light rain and finally made it to Black Gap shelter shortly before 8 PM. There I met a group of gentlemen whom I learned were from central Florida and who got together for semi-annual hikes. This was their last night in the woods. While I don¢t recall all of their names, I do remember Mark and Royce. Royce is a retired Sheriff and humored me by being the first hiker to take a photo with Little Dude. The guys had a nice fire going; I ate a couple of snacks and then opted to stay in the shelter for the evening. It turns out that this was a good idea as it rained late in the night and early the next morning. Day 0- The Approach TrailGoodnight 1.5 miles South of Springer Mountain and 7.3 miles into my last Southern AT section.More photos for the trip can be seen at: 2014 Hike Day 0