Introduction

And so the journey begins on a wet day in North Ga as we push into Amicalola Falls Condition Park to commence my through hike of the Appalachian path. Soon after a briefing by some rangers and a tricky goodbye with Destinee, I set out north to Springer.

Those Stairs Though…

Just after ascending the famously hard stairs up to the falls, which I foolishly determined to do Again after accomplishing them on a shakedown excursion final May perhaps, I established along the solution path to the AT.
Soon after a peaceful night time at the Springer shelter I uncovered myself mountaineering on toward Hawk Mountain in which I satisfied a pleasurable crew of through hikers staying at the shelter who truly commenced to introduce me to the thru hiker lifestyle. With names like Tunnel Rat, Highlander, and Frosty I could not enable but feel like I experienced finally fallen into the planet I had only been dealing with on the periphery until now. We shared stories and laughs and a shared optimism for the long run of our hikes.

When I request if somebody is a thru hiker, the widespread reaction is, “That’s the system,” or “Hope so,” and nonetheless I can not support but see a strong perception of self esteem in every single of their eyes that amazes me to see even right after they’ve slogged up and down mountains.

A Rose By Any Other Trail Title

And so, soon after only three times on path, I have a trail identify!

I am Captain! Or Cap’n.

Because my aim is to become a higher school English trainer right after this hike, I stated all-around the fire that I like the movie Useless Poets Society and shamelessly design myself soon after the rebel English trainer Mr. Keating. And so Enjoyable Simple fact, recognized for her almost endless entertaining info, dubbed me Captain just after the renowned last scene wherever the students stand on their desks for Mr. Keating shouting, “Oh Captain my Captain!”

I imagine it’s a fitting path title for me.

Blood & Pizza

Ah, Blood Mountain. So typically touted as the initial main impediment to northbound hikers. It is southern slope is prolonged and capabilities many switchbacks leading up to the prime and the north side is steep and rocky but if the climate is good the sights from the major are phenomenal! You can see a wonderful panorama of the Georgia mountains and your upcoming path north toward Maine.

The real commitment that received me about that mountain although was pizza. Red Baron frozen pizza to be specific. Now that might not audio like a deluxe food to a person at property with a refrigerator total of food items but just after 3 total days of backpacking foods, it was a meal for kings! Combined with a heat cabin and some excellent food cooked by the trail household, the initially portion of my through hike has turned out to be all I hoped.

 

 

Be sure to think about a donation to Hike for Psychological Health and fitness to support fund investigate and remedy for mental sickness:

https://www.hikeformentalhealth.org/hikers/wes-laudemans-at-hike-for-mental-health and fitness/

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