I'm so physically drained. I'm sore and stiff. My forearms and legs are sunburnt. I'm pretty sure I already have poison ivy on my hands and possibly my knees. But it's great. I feel like a small bug traveling the world! Multiple mountains everyday and such exhausting climbs. I've never topped more than 9 miles a day.
Actually, today finished day 8. I'm at the shelter at mile 66.
Well today is day three. I was going to update day one but I accidentally drained my phone battery while I made dinner. I didn't take any photos yesterday because it was so rainy and I didn't realize how limiting my rain cover made my bag.
Excuses.
I saw the first big street since I got dropped off March 27. It was Woodys Gap. The sun even came out for the first time in nearly 2 days! I know! I'm only on day three. It's rained on and off since 2pm there. *fingers crossed that I can tear down my tent dry in the morning*
This will be a long post. I've met so many cool people! Ed was the first. He's 64 and finally doing it. I've seen him every night. Ed is now traveling with Bill. Cake is an older woman who kicks butt! Her daughter did the Thru Hike last year. Grey Wolf gave me Spam Singles and I gave him so my extra water. Last night I slept with That Guy, Lela, and Dylan after some good rounds of Trail Uno.
There's Nomad who is funny and a bit out there. I met a fellow last night called Ireland. He's from Northern Ireland (witty!). I'm not sure when he left the shelter this morning but I caught up with him and we kept up with each other for about 4 miles till Woody Gap.
There are so many awesome people! I'll never remember everyone. I have found that I love the shelter experience but I don't like the hiking. How horrible does that sound! Well today is only day 3 and it's rained all day and night for the past 2. I don't have my hiking legs yet. I'm not anywhere used to mountains (from flat Ohio!!!) but I'm hiking several mountains a day!
Day one was about 9 miles to Hawk Mt Shelter. (Had to climb 1 mile up Springer and back down same mile) and I slept in my tent.
Day two was about 8 miles to Coach Gap Shelter. I sheltered it. Mice ate though one ziplock, one fabric bag for my sleeping pad, and MY IRISH KILT!!! I HAVE 2 LARGE HOLES!!!! And that was all hung off the ground!
Day three was about 8 miles to Lance Creek camp area. I'm tenting it. I would have liked to sheltered but the next two shelters are in bad bear areas. I'm so exhausted. My back hurts in weird angles. My calfs..... HA!!!!
Tomorrow is going to be big. I'm all ready to pack quickly and start early the 8miles over Blood Mountain and hopefully ending in Neels Gap around noon to meet my mom for more food and stay in the hostel.
Let me attach all the photos from day one and three. I'll upload this post close to service tomorrow from a warm dry bed. I'll try to write less but more often!
I just signed in at Amicalola Visitor Center! I'm hiker 716! That's awesome!
My family is driving me the 45min drive up gravel to the top of Springer Mt!
My base pack weight is 22lbs!!!! With my starting food and water it is 35lbs.
I never measured my pack! I bought everything as light as I could. I packed and repacked multiple times. I think I have everything plus a comfortable little more. I'm so new at all this though!
I met a new hiker who is from San Francisco and is starting right behind me. I didn't catch his name but his pack is total 45lbs. Someone else signed in and his pack is 53!!!!
I'm on the road. Not trail yet but it's soon much closer than I was yesterday. Blahhhhh! I'm Excited!
My sister is driving and mom is in front seat. So I'm crushed into the back with all Mel's moving stuff. My 35lbs pack (approximately? With food and water weight) is on my lap. And my feet can't easily touch the ground. And at the moment, we are eating at Dennys and my bench is broken on the scale of epic.
BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! NONE OF THAT MATTERS BECAUSE WE ARE ONLY 460 MILES FROM MY START POINT!!!!
I was assembling my first aid kit last night. I think I did a pretty good job at it. I had a great base to work from because my best friend got me a kit for Christmas.
However, the fear has set in that if anything were to happen out in the wilderness, I'm going to die. I have no skills!
I'll be level headed, but I'm going to fall off a mountain and not know what to do with my 15 broken bones. Or if I catch fire at camp! How do I treat full body 3rd degree burns?
I'll have a great time. But if anything more than a blister happens, I want you to know I love you all.
I decided to take a walking detour home from work last Friday. It was the first great day in a long time. I found this Creek just off the path. I sat there for 30mins or so. I'm ready.
I'm on the public bus heading to work. I've been wanting to post again but I can't get photos on the computer easily (I'm lazy) but I love the look of photos.
New plan is short and sweet updates with photos from my phone! I leave in less than a month to hike exactly a month from now!
I got great financial news today. 2013 tax refund is pending. 2012 tax refund paperwork is in the mail 2 days ago (don't ask). And this morning I helped secured my next step into funding my trip. Thanks Grandpa!
I have most of my gear. What is left is in the mail or I can count the pieces I still need to buy on one hand. Here is a photo of my boots I'm wearing right now!
