Six-Moon Journey: Springer Mountain splendor, shelter chaos
March 19, 2015: Black Gap Shelter to Hawk Mountain Shelter, 9.6 miles, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
A mass of hiker humanity here at Hawk Mountain Shelter. Full 12-person shelter plus one. Dozens of tents pitched hither and yon all over the campsite out here in the mud and rain and fog. Going to get some serious closeness with smelly hikers tonight for sure.
Wet gear is hanging everywhere. Squeezed into a space on the first level. Cooked dinner and done by 5pm.
Heavy rain all last night at Black Gap. Slept fitfully until 8 a.m., which is just about the time it started. to get light outside. Up and about, still raining heavily. Dark and foggy out. Dreary scene.
Got it all together and headed up to Springer Mountain, a scant 1.5 miles north. On top by 10:30, standing there at the bronze plaque and the first official white blaze of the AT in the gnarled trees at 3800 feet. Old familiar spot this is, a very special one to me. First time here at start of 1977 thru-hike, then again in 1989 and 2001 (section hikes).
Took the obligatory start-of-the-big-hike photos, signed the register and moved on. Not much more to do in the pouring rain, which failed entirely to blunt the beauty and wonder of this moment on this most special mountaintop.
Note: According to the register down at the Amicalola visitor center, I’m officially northbound AT thru-hiker #538 for 2015.
Cold wind to and steady rain was the order of the morning on the beautiful hike along the ridge tops to Stover Creek Shelter, a dry place to duck into for lunch. Half-dozen other thru-hikers here as well.
Off again, but the lull in the rain didn’t last. Moe heavy downpours, yes, but they could not in the slightest dampen my high spirits. Cold hands much of the day, but no matter.
Three Forks area was beautiful, clear rushing stream bordered by green-leafed azaleas. Passed up side trail to Long Creek Falls, the cascade of water rushing off the bill of my ball cap proving to be an entertaining sight all its own.
Hawk Mountain a chaotic mess. Wet people and gear everywhere. Shelter jammed, hard to know who’s coming or going. Big group moving out, so had to wait to claim space. Probably should’ve tented, but inside under the shelter roof was hard to pass up.
By evening the rain had ebbed. Hoping for better weather tomorrow. Couldn’t see all at far in the big mist today, but no doubt is it ever good to be here on the AT in Georgia. Hikers packed in here from New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Kansas, Germany and lots of other places. Trail names are starting. I started out as “Hobbit” but have morphed into “Beerman.” Go figure. More on that transition later.
Crowds… I knew they’d be out here. Gonna be interesting, at least for the first few weeks until people start dropping by the wayside, something that’s inevitable. As for me, barring serious sickness, injury or worse, I’m out here for the duration. God willing.
