Springer Mountain Shelter, April 6
Journal Entry: 4/5 9 pm - Finally on the A.T. Started this morning when Rani dropped me off at Amicalola Falls Park. Arrived at the park at 11. Met two other thru-hikers in the lot: Paul and Sheri (Jettbutt & Sherbear), recent grads from NY-Buffalo. He's a biologist, she's polysci. Ended up hiking with them most all the way to the Springer Mt. Shelter, home for tonight. Made shelter after the blue blazes turned to white 2/10 mile back. As par for the course, sunshine gave way to rain the further we progressed. Suitably, the rain didn't start in ernest until we made the A.T. plaque here at Springer.
Now -- I'm on the Trail. Yes, the legs ache, the toes are sore and it's still raining. I'm nestled in this new Kelty, comfy with my pack. A two man tent - it's a tight 2-man. Maybe room for a boy and his dog - or in my case, a pack. Candlelight while the rain tests my shelter - soothing sound like the tin roof of Big Falls. I've brought too much mass - have to eat more, or send it home. Little things like my mirror - which I can use my compass mirror, and the lid to my camp cup. The pack is sixty-five pounds - have to eat more! Tomorrow - big breakfast then a whole day of hiking. Can I make up four lost days? We'll have to see. I can tell I won't be reading much this hike -- foolish to think I would. Just writing here will be difficult enough to maintain. Once I'm in shape, I'll haul ass. Time for bed.
Springer Mountain Shelter was FULL of hikers the prior evening. I tented behind it with another hiker. Sherbear and Jettbutt were a bit further up the shelter trail in their tent. I bet there were 10 folks in the shelter minimum.