I tried writing a longer blog post that just went into the first day of my experiences here but it's far too long and I haven't even finished writing about my first day. I haven't had any phone service since I've arrived on the AT. I'm currently staying at a hostel where I'm getting wifi via my phone.
Everyday is a new adventure, every day has been a learning experience, everyday I witness beautiful works of nature, everyday I've taken the time conversed with cool and interesting individuals. Everyday has been met with funny things happening and groups of us coming together in common goals of hitting certain places of interest. I get plenty of alone time and go on my own when I want it and I get plenty of opportunities to socialize and potentially group up with people when I want it.
Everyday is also pure physical suffering, the climbs are strenous, the terrain can be rugged and potentially dangerous and the weather has been mostly rainy, windy and cold. I grabbed a guy that passed me on the trail after he lost his footing on a slippery rock before he could fall off the trail, I had to watch as his dog that was leashed behind him did a barrel roll and smacked his head on a rock.
It's been a really challenge and I've heard of people giving up on the 8.5 mile approach trail of Amicalola Falls before they even get to Springer mountain. In other words, some people quit before they even get on the AT!
Today was another rainy day, it has also my first day in a hostel that is 3 miles off the trail and getting a chance to take a little breather, restock and communicate with friends and family on my phone.
Tommorrow I'm planning on hitting Neels Gap, a major checkpoint in Georgia due to there being a store with hiking equipment right through the trail. To get to Neels I need to get through Blood Mountain which has a very steep incline, it's the highest point in all of the Georgia mountains and the ridge lines are potentially dangerous. The weather forcasts for the rest of the week are also pretty bad, but from what I've heard this area is pretty close to being a rain forest due to the nature of the weather.
It'll be a challenge, tommorrow will bring more physical suffering, more beautiful natural scenes and a chance to converse with new and occasionally familair faces on the trail. Currently I'm traveling with two guys that I've been hiking with over the last 2 days. It's funny how certain things have turned out over here. Certain things were just luck on my part. I'd like to get into it more, the trail Magic(people being generous and giving food/equipments to others on the trail) I received, etc. But it's getting late I've got to get sleep and get ready for the next mornings adventure
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