Day 1 - Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain

It wasn’t a good night, but at least I didn’t suffer alone. Dave couldn’t fall asleep either. 

That’s funny – we had split the bottle of wine and were exhausted from the past few nights. I had on my long underwear and put on the balaclava to keep my face warm. Was comfortable and warm enough in my sleeping bag, but just couldn’t fall asleep. Never looked at my watch, though. I just didn’t want to know the time. 
  
Oh, it rained all night. I’m sure that didn’t help things. Got up at 7:30. Boy, is it a challenge for two people to get dressed and pack up their gear without being able to stand up (or sit up, even). Lost my only spare contact lens. We headed to the lodge to pay for our site and eat some grits, as we promised Bob, but the kitchen was already closed. So we decided to start the approach trail, despite the rain. 

 

 
I remember now that Leslie told me how the trail in Georgia is like a path – not at all like the rocky ledges of Blue Hills. And it is a pretty clean path. Only a few parts were tough – and not for long. I know I was sweating profusely, but it was hard to tell with the rain pelting my face and soaking my hair. For most of the approach trail, Dave and I were alone. We bumped into a couple of people here and there, that’s all.

We stopped at the first shelter just to check it out. There were three people there with their gear all spread out. They were engrossed in books and didn’t seem too friendly. Since it was only 2:30 and I wasn’t tired, I suggested we move on to the shelter at the top of Springer Mountain. Dave thought it would be too crowded, but I wasn’t sure. 

We reached the summit and saw the AT plaque set in stone. Was that really the top? The official start of the AT? It didn’t seem right. With all the trees and fog, there was no view at all.

We continued to the shelter. There were two people packing up their gear – and that’s it. We had the whole place to ourselves (for how long, I don’t know). 
 

Someone told us that it was 10 degrees on the top of Springer Mountain last night. Hoping for warmer temps tonight. We have hung our food from the ceiling so the mice can’t get it. Plan to sleep in the loft, especially if others arrive. My feet are cold and a little stiff, but no other physical complaints. It’s been a long second day, but a good one despite the wet, soggy weather. My clothes are soaked, my pack is wet, my boots are caked in mud. Can I last 178 more days? Will the heat be worse than the cold? Will I be able to sleep tonight? Only time will tell… 

Side note – I find it amazing that I can really survive with 30 pounds worth of gear (of course, I also need some of Dave’s 40 pounds, which includes the tent, stove, and water filter). But we have everything we need – a house, a bed, a kitchen cabinet, a sink, a toilet, clothing, shoes, reading material, camera, etc. It really makes you think about the way you have been living and the things you think you “need.” I know I have at least five garbage bags full of clothes at home and look forward to giving a lot of them away! One more hour of daylight…