we're on our way!

The day before the start relaxing at the beautiful Amicalola Falls Lodge . My mom, Kay, is testing out Kathryn's pack, they are probably about equal in weight.

Here we are atop Springer Mountain, southern terminus of the famous Appalachian Trail. Fresh smiles at mile 0.0.

Kevin and I taking our first break, still mile 0.0.


We pushed it a little hard the first day and hiked 11.6 miles to Cooper Gap. Kept a steady pace on day 2 and camped at Woody Gap at 19.9 miles. Here we made friends with a guy named Catfish, who had his girlfriend deliver pizza and chik-fila biscuits!

Pleasant sunset at Woody Gap.

Day 3: Thats me struggling up Blood Mountain.

After struggling up and down Blood mountain, it was a blessing to make it to Neels Gap, mile 30.5, which is a convenient outfitter/hostel staffed with friendly folks who helped me find better boots. We camped out back of the store and took warm showers, ate ice-cream, and used a real bathroom.













Day 4: Enjoying hot chili with instant mashed potatoes at Low Gap, mile 41.1.

Day 5: the weather turned, and we awoke to rain, and the rain did not stop. We walked through a thunderstorm on top of a mountain with metal hiking poles and metal framed packs. We arrived at the Blue moutain shelter, mile 48.3, by lunch and stayed for the night. we might have changed our minds if we knew there would be night visits by mice.







This was our visibility for the next 3 days.



















luckily we had a miracle fire to warm socks and spirits! The weather brought together 13 cold and tired bodies, that made for good company.







Turkey-tail mushrooms flourish on the downed trees with this sort of weather.
















Day 7: Dicks Creek Gap, mile 66.6
my dad, John, came to rescue us from the rain. We stayed in Young Harris, GA where i went to college. This is the view from my cousin Karen's house.

The four hikers, my parents, and karen.

thanks karen, you're awesome!