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.<\/p>\n
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![\"image5\"](\"https:\/\/www.calumjohnson.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/image5-1024x768.jpg\")
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.<\/p>\n
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? \u00a0Well 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
![\"image3\"](\"https:\/\/www.calumjohnson.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/image3-e1457385567472-768x1024.jpg\")
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here’s the view from the top.![\"image2\"](\"https:\/\/www.calumjohnson.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/image2-1024x768.jpg\")
Here I am next to the sign.![\"image1\"](\"https:\/\/www.calumjohnson.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/image1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
-Orion, now on the AT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n