So here I am, sitting next to my tent on a rock, at Springer Mountain shelter. It’s my second night, but the first officially on the AT. There are a lot less people than I had originally imagined, but it’s still early in the day. I’m just glad I have a nice campsite.
Yesterday was spent traveling. I woke up at 2:30 to catch my plane, and ended up in the Max Eperson shelter next to the A
micalola visitors center. I got a ride from Ron Brown, he has a shuttle service that covers the southern end of the AT. If you’re in need of a ride near the beginning, I recommend him. Here I am next to the archway that leads to the AT approach trail.
It was a long night. Remember when you were a kid, and you couldn’t sleep at all Christmas Eve because of how excited you were? Well it was a lot like that. I kept waking up thinking it was dawn only to look at my watch and see that it was just 3 or 4.
Eventually, morning came and I started my coffee and oatmeal. I signed in at the register and peaked at some of the other hikers on the trail. Several people started on New Year’s Day, I wonder where they are now.
The hike up the falls was nice. I honestly don’t think the approach trail was as bad as everyone said. If it were 8000 ft higher, it would be different. I’m glad that’s the backpacking I’m used to.
After the initial climb, it was just a lot of P.U.D.s (pointless ups and downs). This continued until the climb up to springer mountain, the southern terminus of the AT.
Here’s the view from the top.
Here I am next to the sign.
Right now I’m going to read some of The Night Kingdoms (an awesome book by my brother) and then make some dinner. I think it’s going to be an early night for me.
-Orion, now on the AT
Nice first post on the trail. Emailing the photos worked fine. They average 3-4M each but the panoramics are more like 11M. Have a good hike tomorrow!
This is very exiting. How many people are there now?
A good amount, last night there were about 25 tents. Sounds like a lot, but that’s actually not bad for right here this time of year.
I’m glade to hear you had a nice first day hike. The pictures are nice. The trees are still quite bare. I’m sure it will be amazing to see them leaf out as the weather gets warmer.
Yes, it should be really nice. It’s weird backpacking in a place like this. Nothing like California.
Well started. We are having a veritable heat wave (over 80) up here in Maryland, so I expect you are staying warm enough. I hope there will be plenty of chances for your cold weather gear in the upcoming weeks. I wouldn’t mind seeing a photo of your campsite(s).
Keep dry, and hang your food high.
We are enjoying your odyssey very much. You have a lot of people following you. Muz is reading A WALK IN THE WOODS and Fuz is next. It gives another view of your adventure. Love, Fuz & Muz
Great blog! I enjoy the pictures.
You’ll get above the tree line in parts of New England, so you’ll have better vistas.
Orion! So cool to be able to follow your journey and see pictures. I have always wanted to do that trail. Maybe I will get inspired and follow your lead.,keep the blog coming!
Thank you so much!