Six-Moon Journey: A 2,200-mile adventure on the Appalachian Trail or Nothing left to do but walk the walk
March 18, 2015: Amicalola Falls State Park to Black Gap Shelter, 7.3 miles, 11:10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
I’m holed up at Black Gap Shelter after an 8-mile hike on the approach trail that leads to the start of the AT. Quite a day it was indeed.
Reached Amicalola Falls State Park mid-morning. Unloaded the car and sorted out a few final gear items. Registered in the visitor center; I’m hiker #538 going northbound thus far. Weighed pack on the outside scale, 39 pounds but no way. Weighed it at home on the very reliable scale in the shed and came up with 34 pounds including 2 liters of water. I’ll go with that.
Today’s weather is partly sunny and probably 65F with a good breeze. After month of planning and preparation, the time had finally arrived, and it was a fine day to get going. Gathered around the stone arch out back to take the obligatory start photos. Then headed up the approach trail toward Springer. It’s a mile and 640 steps to the top of the 800-foot Amicalola Falls. I am filled with nostalgia as I go, thinking about these same steps I took way back in 1977.
Met Fran near the top of the falls; she’s camping here and hiking the first few miles. Lunched on top of a hill a few hours in. Ham and cheese sandwiches and a cold beer. Love my wife! Fran and I said goodbyes around 2; she’ll meet me in 5 days at Neels Gap before driving back to Maine. Yeah! Trudged on over Frosty Mountain and contoured around Black Mountain. Trashy mess at Nimblewill Gap; kept moving. Wonderful hiking, beautiful day, great to be back on the trail in GA.
Black Gap hasn’t changed; same old shelter, cold running spring, all up high at 3300 feet. Several other hikers here plus college group. One fellow has old Jan Sport expedition pack circa 1975, loaded like you wouldn’t believe. Looked like he’d walked right out of at era. Glad I don’t have to carry that monster.
Sun is low in the sky, dinner is done (freeze-dried pasta primavera) the food bag has been hung on the bear cables nearby. Disturbing note: There are several large bags of gear and food left in the shelter and hanging from the cables left behind by thoughtless hikers. Leave No Trace my ass. Bet I’m going to see a lot more of this, had heard that I might.
Tucked into the sleeping bag at 8pm. Turned on my micro radio for some music, read The Hobbit on the Kindle for a while. Tomorrow: Springer Mountain and the official start of the Appalachian Trail. 38 years out from my last AT thru-hike, I can hardly believe I’m here.
