As you probably know by now I decided to skip the approach trail and head directly from Springer Mountain. In the last three days I’ve made 20 miles, as far as Woody Gap, Ga., and gotten off the trail for a while to wait out some expected bad weather.
I don’t have a lot of time so this will be fairly brief.
The first day was fairly easy. I went up Springer to the terminus and took some nice pictures (which I’ll upload later) and some video (which I’ll also upload later). Then 2.5 miles back down the trail to Stover Creek shelter where I spent the first night.
The first day was fairly easy, all things considered.
The second day was much more difficult, with a couple of steep climbs, and I only made 5.2 miles or so to Hawk Mountain Shelter, where I spent Wednesday night. Then Thursday a good 7.6 mile haul to Gooch Mountain Shelter with yet more steep climbs. I was exhausted after that one.
I’m getting used to all the ups and downs but it’s still quite tiring. I’m not making as much progress as I planned for, but I’m holding up okay. Though I’m told after about two weeks you get used to it and start making more mileage. The Trail is easier than I expected, but harder than I thought. Especially when it rains, as it did today.
I still made 5 miles today despite the rain to Woody Gap where I caught a shuttle to the Hiker Hostel and plan to wait out the storm here. It’s just rain today, but tomorrow is supposed to bring severe thunderstorms. Hiking in the rain, by itself, isn’t a serious problem, but the next few miles will bring Blood Mountain, with steep, rocky descents and even worse weather on top which you don’t want to get caught in.
The hostel is quite full, though, (they stuck me on a couch!) and I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay two nights. If not, I’ll take the Freeman Trail around the Blood Mountain summit (it’s the official bad weather detour) and take my chances.
I’ve already met three people who attempted a thru-hike and have decided to quit. They all quit not because they couldn’t physically handle it; almost anyone can hike the Trail given enough time and patience. It was because they weren’t mentally prepared for the demands of the Trail. I’m as prepared as I can be and have no plans to drop out.
Next update maybe tomorrow, or in a week. I probably won’t make it to Cloud 9 for several more days.