Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal April 1, 2001

It's an absolutely stunning day to be starting on my thru-hike of the Appalachian trial.  I still can barely believe that I'm here, and I don't think the reality is of it will it be for least another day or two.

Well, I started this journey about 8:30  this morning when Tony and I left for the airport.  It was a bittersweet moment, standing at the gate.  I really, really hated saying goodbye, but at the same time I was terribly excited to start this adventure.  I arrived in Atlanta about 12:30 and did not have any trouble spotting the other thru-hiker who was getting a ride from the same driver.  She's Becky Heide from Kansas City - and easy to find with her 40-plus pound pack and trail attire, wondering around the baggage claim. Thirty minutes later were getting off the MARTA (transit system here) and meeting Bill Porter, one of the most interesting hiking enthusiasts I've ever met.  For over two hours, he entertained us with stories of other hikers, hiking in general, and the A.T., while we drove up to the visitors center at Amicalola Falls State Park and eventually to a forest road just one mile north of this shelter.  After a photo at the first white blaze, Becky and I hit the trail headed for the Springer terminus.

 So here we are at the Springer shelter, about ten of us in the shelter and at least another eight to ten camping nearby.  It's rather funny to think I spent my first day of my North bound thru-hike going south!.  But it was only one mile, and tomorrow I get to head out going the right direction.  I can only guess what the next days, weeks and months will hold, but one thing is certain.  It's going to be fantastic!

4-2-01 Hawk Mountain Shelter

Its only 2:30 p.m. but the same shelter crowd from last night is here again.  Most of us hiked about 7.5 miles, the first half  all downhill and the rest pretty mild uphill.  Long Creek Falls were on a side trial about halfway here and made a great lunch spot.  It was a gorgeous hike, the first part through thick strands of rhododendron.  I can't wait until they bloom.  After that, the trail wound through virgin Hemlocks, which were just amazing.  I stopped frequently to study the branches, but I didn't see any signs of woody adelgid, an insect that is rapidly destroying all of the Hemlocks in Virginia and West Virginia.  I suppose it's only a matter of time before it travels here, too.

Well, everyone seems more relaxed tonight - there's a lot more conversation going on than last night.  The register shows  35 people were here at this shelter yesterday.  We're all really hoping not to have that many tonight!

trail statistics so far:
men hiking solo: at least 40
men with partners: 20+
women hiking solo: 8
women hiking with partners in: 2

younger hikers (under 30): about 35
older hikers (over 50): about 5

P.S. - 6:30 pm. -  There must be at least 50 people here - I've never seen such a crowd !