Update from the Trail

Days 1-4

Dan has had very little cell service during these first few days but has managed to check in via his Garmin when the phone is of no help.  The photo above is from the end of Day 4.  Here is what he has been able to send:

Day 1

Springer Mountain to Stover Creek Shelter

4 miles

After the car battery episode (see Sally's description in the last post), we arrived at the Springer Mountain trailhead at 4:00 p.m.  The day before I had checked in at the Amicalola Falls Visitor's Center and had gone through the AT thru-hikers' orientation and briefing.  I also received my hiker tag and registration number, so I started out with an official yellow thru-hiker's tag on my backpack.  Somehow my fully loaded backpack's weight had ballooned to 46 lbs.  I spent several hours the night before take-off day reevaluating everything in my pack and managed to pare the weight back to 34 lbs.  Rocky's pack weighs 9 lbs.

Once at the trailhead, Sally, the dogs, and I hiked one mile to the top of the Springer Mountain summit, the southern terminus of the AT.  We took pictures and signed the log at the trailhead and headed back down to the parking lot.  We said our goodbyes, and Rocky and I were finally on my way.  

Because of the late hour, Rocky and I hiked only four miles to the Stover Creek Shelter.  The camp was very full, and I ended up camping pretty much on a hillside.  It was good, our first night on the trail.

Day 2

Stover Creek Shelter to Hawk Mountain Shelter

6.5 miles

Screenshot from Strava:

From Garmin:

It's getting really cold, and the next camp is 8.1 miles, so I'm stopping at Hawk Mountain Shelter.  The temp is supposed to drop to the low 20s.

Day 3

Hawk Mountain Shelter to 

Gooch Mountain Shelter

8 miles

From Garmin:

I have no cell service.  It was a rough day.  A lot of very steep, rocky ups and downs.  Rocky is crashed out on my sleeping bag.  I'm tired too.

Note from Sally:  I'm pretty sure that's Rocky's down coat wrapped around his middle 😍.

Day 4

Gooch Mountain Shelter to Jarrard Gap

11 miles

I have one 4G bar, and my phone is low on battery.  We had an 11-mile good day.  This was the first day I could wear shorts, but it is turning cold and windy.  I'll arrive at Neel Gap at the Outfitter tomorrow.

I was petting Rocky and was thinking that he smelled bad.  Then realized it was me.  I guess I'm a thru-hiker.

Note from Sally:  According to the thru-hiker's orientation at the Visitor's Center and other sources, the section of trail between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap is the only section in the South where bear cannisters are required if camping.  Dan ordered a bear cannister but was dismayed at how much room it took in his pack and at how difficult it was to fit anything around it in the backpack.  He is planning to hike through that section without camping, which shouldn't be a problem now that he is at Jarrard Gap.  I sent the first resupply box via priority mail to the outfitter in Neel Gap, and tracking confirmed that it arrived this morning.  So tomorrow should end for Dan and Rocky with resupply and rest -- maybe even a shower and laundry!  With cell service, he will be able to add more to this account of the first few days on trail.