27 September

27 September
From: Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center
To: Springer Mountain shelter
Mileage: 9.0
Weather: Mild, cloudy and humid

Rockdawg met me at Atlanta's Peachtree railway station at 8:45am and, after a breakfast stop at McDonald's, drove me to Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center. The park was rather busy for a weekday afternoon.

I registered as a thruhiker, filled my water, and we took pictures of each other under the arch leading to the 8.8 mile AT Approach Trail. We said our goodbyes, and I made my way up the trail and 604 stairs to the top of the falls, highest east of the Mississippi River.

The packed dirt trail wasn't particularly challenging, especially after Maine, but it was a very humid day so tiring.

I reached Springer Mountain summit, southern terminus of the AT, just in time for distant rumbles of thunder. I completed an entry in the hiker's register in a metal drawer cemented in the rock and took pictures of the plaques, then hurried to the shelter just north.

Two section hikers were there but made space in the two level shelter. It started to rain shortly after I arrived, and three other hikers arrived and took the upper loft after heavy rain started.

I was grateful that the site provided a bear box to secure our food bags.

I can't say I'm thrilled to be on the trail again, but I am looking forward to cooler Fall weather and watching the leaves change on the way.

Quick update:

Quick update:
Long time, no see! Sorry about that.

I'm currently at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (https://noc.com/) taking a rest-and-eat day (Nero, my favorite kind) from hiking the #AppalachianTrail. This is my third Nero since starting north in Georgia on 27 September. However, I've been keeping to 15 mile days for the most part, which is not always easy.

I have more detailed logs with photos to post today. Sorry for the timeline discontinuity, but my reports from Maine in August-September must come later.

I see that Google will discontinue the consumer Google Plus service by August 2019. I will find an alternate site to host these entries before then.

Quick update:

Quick update:
I'm currently approaching Atlanta, GA on the Amtrak Crescent after an overnight train ride. My friend and fellow hiker Rockdawg kindly offered to shuttle me to the Appalachian Trail Approach trail about 1.5 hours to the north.

This afternoon I should be hiking on the AT again!

Quick update:

Quick update:
I made the trip from Millinocket to Wells ME and had a great day visiting friends there, including a visit to a fundraising craft show at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm (https://www.wellsreserve.org).

After an unfortunately extended overnight bus trip to Stamford CT (scheduled arrival 11:30pm, actual 5am), I drove a rented minivan to Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison NY, then spent the last three days hiking out and back 15+ miles per day and car camping to get to Stormville NY. It's been a damp time on trail, and I met only 4 other hikers the whole time - the northbounders should be well north and southbounders well south by now. This completes the section that I had to skip over on 22 May due to trail closure from storm damage.

I'm at the Countryside Motel overnight, and will drive to Philadelphia to visit another friend on Thursday. I expect to be home on Friday for a week before resuming my hike in the South.
https://www.wellsreserve.org

Quick update:

Quick update:
I arrived at Baxter State Park on Tuesday, shuttled to the Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket ME, then shuttled back this morning to summit Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the US Appalachian Trail.

Like the rest of the AT, climbing and descending Katahdin was more difficult than I expected (much more steep rock climbing), but it's done.

I'm taking a day off (zero) in Millinocket on Thursday, then visiting former colleagues and hiking the 25 mile section south of Stormville, New York that was closed when I went through. Then a week at home to get caught up on things before resuming my AT hike northward from Georgia to West Virginia.

BTW, Penguin is finishing her out and back hike on Vermont's Long Trail.

Quick update:

Quick update:
I made it into Monson ME after fording a river and enduring mosquito bites this morning and will rest up Sunday at Lakeshore House before heading into the "100 Mile Wilderness" on Monday. Had a big BBQ pork sandwich, a hunk of corn bread and blueberry pie a la mode at Spring Creek BBQ. I actually feel full!

I stopped at the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center across the street and worked with the ATC specialist there to schedule my climb of Mount Katahdin after the Labor Day weekend crush at Baxter State Park. Later than I had planned, but the timing works in my favor. I'm also planning to stay in Millinocket ME to rest up before I summit.

I'm also going to check on staying at Whitehouse Landing Camp in the 100 Mile Wilderness, with dinner, a bunk and all you can eat breakfast provided, as well as an opportunity to resupply.

The shift in schedule has me seriously considering continuing my hike from Georgia to West Virginia after a week at home (I originally planned to hike WV to GA), as I want to be home for Thanksgiving and finishing up remaining miles afterwards in my home turf of Virginia will be easier.

I am still keeping daily trail notes and photos, just haven't had time nor energy to post. I may do some catchup tomorrow.

Quick update:

Quick update:
In Caratunk ME at the Caratunk B&B for a near-zero day (nero) today. Crossed the Kennebec River by canoe ferry this morning. Today started misty on the trail and is now steady rain, so its nice to be inside.

Tomorrow I continue 34 miles to Monson ME, the last trail town before the 100 Mile Wilderness and Mount Katahdin.