[Derek] Springer / Days 0 and 1

3/20/14 - Day 1

We got to Amicalola Falls (that's pronounced AM-i-ca-LO-la, with am as in lamb and i as in kitten) around 10 in the morning yesterday. Inside the Visitor Center, we signed in at the official logbook. Only a few people had gotten there before us that morning, but 20-25 had signed in the day before, all bound for Katahdin. We took our obligatory pictures at the AT arch (pics below!) and started up the 8.8 mile Approach Trail to Springer.

Immediately, we came up against Amicalola Falls themselves, which involved 600 steps straight up to the top of the falls. Fog was everywhere, but we got a good view of the rushing water disappearing into the cloudy air from the top.

We summitted Springer early to a beautiful view (hint: think of staring at a gray wall). After talking with the other thru- and section- hikers up there, we stepped onto the Appalachian Trail, hiked down to the nearby shelter, and set up camp. As I commented to Matt, I felt almost like a Tenderfoot Scout again - I've never used an alcohol stove to cook or Aquamira to purify water, so figuring out how to use those was an adventure.

After dinner, we ran back up to Springer to grab a rock each to carry to Katahdin. Our rocks aren't big, but we'll carry them all the way!

This morning, we woke to more fog and chilly temperatures. We broke down camp and tried (and failed) to leave quickly. I'm sure we'll get into the swing of it soon, but it took us an hour and a half! Shame on us!

Fortunately, it warmed up quickly, giving us a beautiful fogless view of the Georgian Appalachians. We hiked another 8 miles (our last warmup day) to the Hawk Mountain Shelter.

Soon after arriving, someone told me that they "had smelled bud" and that they "had $60 if I was willing to sell any of it". I don't know where he smelled it, but it certainly wasn't coming from us... But most of the other people we've met so far have been very friendly and talkative. We've already privately nicknamed one guy "The Voice" because he sings along to his music while he hikes.

The campsites and shelters in Georgia have bear cables (with pulleys and built-in wire ropes!), which is a nice change from the CT and MA version where you hang your bear bag in a tree. Very convenient.

Tomorrow is 13 miles across some potentially challenging terrain. I guess we'll see how it goes!

(Update from the morning: Heard something loud and mechanized and frighteningly close to our tent last night. Matt thinks it might've been a helicopter. I have no idea why though.)