Appalachian Trail Day 5 - Neel's Gap to Low Gap Shelter (miles 31.3 to 42.8)

The view from the balcony

Lots of packs waiting to go on a hike

Day 5 of Amy and Penny's Amazing Appalachian Trail Adventure (A&P's AATA)!  We spent the night at Neel Gap after the most amazing shower and clean clothes! Because of our shower and spending spree we had to set up in the dark up the hill from Mountain Crossing store. We were able to charge our phones and batteries for the next 3-4 days of backpacking.

Appalachian Trail Day 4 - Woody Gap to Neel's Gap ( Mile 20.5 to 31.3)

We woke up from a lovely warm night's sleep and packed in the dark.  Woody Gap is a large parking area off a busy scenic highway running through Chattahoochee National Forest.  One benefit of the close proximity to a road is the pit toilet. The downfall of being so close is the noise. Normally, mornings along the Appalachian Trail are relatively quiet and relaxed.  This morning, however, car doors have been slamming, groups have been heading north for the last hour, and the occasional horn beeps to alert the departing hikers that their car door is indeed locked. Since further sleep is out of the question, we get up and break camp.  

The sun breaks over the ridge around 7:30 am, and we hit the trail with the sole intention of making it to Mountain Crossings before 5pm.  The Crossings is a full-service hostel and store directly on the trail. We can shower, wash clothes, and resupply without hitching into town.  We are almost out of food and fuel.  Penny really needs a new pack.  And we all really need shower and clean clothes. The thing is we have to hike 11 miles over Blood Mountain!

Preacher Rock, Georgia

Appalachian Trail Day 3 - Hawk Mountain Shelter to Woody Gap (Miles 8.1 to 20.5)

We are up and packing at sunrise, which is 7 am. The Hawk Mountain shelter area is on a ridge, with dappled sun shining through the sparsely leaved trees. The best alarm clock ever!  The sky is cloudy, the temp cool, and the wind, which howled through the night, continues to blow. Penny is the first one up and halfway packed. I pack quickly, moving fast to stay warm. Within 20 minutes I am ready to head down the trail, as the other hikers start emerging from their tents.  Woody Gap is 12.4 miles down the trail. 

The sun cresting the ridge at Hawk Mountain

Appalachian Trail Day 2 - Springer Shelter to Hawk Mountain Shelter (Mile 0 to 8.1)

SPRINGER MOUNTAIN! We are at SPRINGER freaking mountain! The Start of the Appalachian Trail! 

Let me say first we are thrilled beyond belief to be here,  however the outdoor camping experience last night was less than ideal. Lightening, thunder, and wind-driven rain so hard that water splashes a foot up against the down quilt under the hammock.

Last night I was up almost every hour until 3:30 am. Then I passed out 2 whole hours. Nobody up at 5:30 am. Back to sleep. 6:30 am - Penny is up but she takes an hour longer than me to pack up. Back to sleep. 7:30 am, everyone else is up and I'm the last one out of bed! Everyone was sluggish and slow to start, probably because of the stormy weather until the wee hours. The only dry items in my camp are my clothes I wore to bed and my top quilt. 

But we are elated! We have officially started the Appalachian Trail! We are AT Backpackers! The elements tested us and we are worthy!! Time for coffee!! 

But first, we must pee in the trees where the other campers won't see us, filter water from a stream that is little more than a mud-soaked trickle, put on yesterday's wet and very cold hiking clothes, and break camp. All of this takes about an hour. 

Amy and Penny's Amazing Appalachian Trail Adventure - Day 1 - Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain (Mile -8.1 to 0.2)

Penny and I had a wonderful pre-hike night at Hostel Around the Bend. After getting settled in our shared private room, we drove the 10 minutes into town for a burger and a brew at the aptly named Hiawassee Brew. The burgers were great, the beer even better.  

We were giddy with excitement for the start of our hike.  After a restless night of sleep, our shuttle arrived just as we finished loading our packs. Our driver, Frank, is a nice guy who gave us an informative drive of the area to Amicalola Falls State Park. We made a couple of stops (motrin and a replacement charging box for the phones) and arrived at the park around 11 am. We registered at the office, then took the obligatory pictures at the arch for the approach trail. 

The start of our approach trail in Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia

The approach trail is 8.6 miles to Springer Mountain, which is the official start of the AT. One doesn't have to hike the approach trail - the option is to start at the Springer Mountain parking lot, which is about one mile north of the official start. Then one would have to hike south, spend a moment at the start, then backtrack the mile back north. Penny and I opted to get the whole experience by doing the extra 8.6 miles so we could look back at pictures and reminisce on our complete AT adventure. 

The trail started pleasantly enough. We ambled for all of one-quarter mile through woods on a gentle-sloped dirt path which paralleled the woods. Our amble quickly turned to a slog uphill on 675 wooden and stone steps. The weather was overcast and cloudy, and while the falls WERE beautiful, we joked about a better plan would have been to have Frank drive us to the park for a look and then to Springer for an easier start to the AT.  While we were suffering up the hill, all the other day hikers looked in wonder and amazement at the old ladies climbing up the hill with loaded packs. 

Amicolola Falls, Georgia

Penny had to stop and adjust her pack several times, as the pack was a recent purchase with a different suspension system than her other packs. The design was really cool, but she learned quickly that the pack was not going to work fully loaded for a multi-night backpack trip. We briefly visited the lodge at the top of the falls. We should have stayed here! The lobby is stunning! However, I hear the nightly rate is just as stunning, so maybe the hostel was better, after all! 

The lobby of Amicalola Falls Lodge

The sky turned ever more dark and cloudy, with a haze of fog turning to steady sprinkles for the next 5 miles. We followed the blue-blazed trail, climbing steadily to the Springer, excitement mounting. Finally, after 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and soaked to the bone, we crest a hill. Wait! The blazes ran out! We took a few minutes of scratching our heads before we realized we made it to the top! I was expecting lots of people milling about a small bald, appreciating the views of the distant valleys, however I as a little downtrodden to see a plaque set into the rock in a wooded copse. However, we celebrated the moment with a picture and entry into the logbook. 

The Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain, Georgia

We continued the 0.2 miles to the Springer shelter. The shelters are curious respites from the vagaries of the trail, usually consisting of three sides, open to the elements but a shelter nonetheless. Most shelters also have a fire pit, water source (spring or stream), a privy set away from the water source, and picnic table. Other campers were already set up in and behind the shelter. Penny and I set up camp, then hung out in the shelter proper with the other 10 or so hikers which were in resident that night.  Some of the campers had been there 2 nights, making it a weekend. We enjoyed a roaring fire while eating our freeze-dried dinners and some campfire conversation until 9 pm, when the skies opened up. The rain and wind were amazing! 40 mph winds whipped the mountain all night, coming in sideways under the tarp. 

Springer Mountain Shelter the day after the deluge

Sign up to follow along as Penny and I continue our adventure!

Todays stats: 8.8 miles, 3117' elevation gain

Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Amy and Penny's Amazing Appalachian Trail Hike (Introduction)

For almost 15 years I read about the Appalachian Trail and dreamed of the adventure of a lifetime. 11 years ago I did the math and knew my youngest would be out of college, so decided 2021 was my year to hike. I originally planned on through hiking, but realized this isn't for me.

Firstly, the pandemic and life in general is preventing me from through hiking. I am a nurse in a hospital, and I am an essential employee in the setting of a pandemic combined with a terrible nursing shortage. Taking off six months to meander along the trail while my fellow nurses are drowning in the trenches makes my heart sad. However, my intentions aren't altogether altruistic. As the saying goes, I gotta make hay while the sun shines. Taking off six months when I have the potential to maximize my earnings is cool for anyone doing so, but just doesn't make sense for me. I do want to retire one day...

Secondly, I tend to get bored with the trail after a couple weeks. Hiking is a pure joy for me. Sleeping outside whenever I see an inviting forest glen or a spectacular view that begs me to hang my hammock so I may witness a breathtaking sunrise is absolutely liberating!! Hiking for weeks on end just seems more like a job than a fun thing to do.

Lastly, I miss my family too much. My husband. My grand baby. I just can't...

Last year, one of my hiking buddies asked me to show her how to backpack. For anyone who is unfamiliar with sleeping outdoors and carrying everything you need to survive on your back for days at a time, this may sound easy. Trust me - it's a lot harder than it sounds.

Penny with backpack #1, AT in MD

We originally planned on starting June 2020 in Georgia, hiking north one two-week section at a time. Lockdowns on travel and resources all over the world changed our plan to local backpacking. We spent several trips exploring the AT within 3 hours of our homes, including the 42 miles across Maryland in 100* temps in 2 1/2 days. Penny played with her new gear, and decided to trade in a couple new purchases for more new purchases. Like her hammock, her tarp, her backpack, her sleeping bag. By the time we started the trail, I think Penny replaced everything but her stove and titanium cup! Man, she loves that cup :-)

Penny with her new Hennessy Hammock in Dolly Sods

So this week is the start of realizing another bucket list hike for me. Penny and I left for Hiawassee Georgia. After 12 hours of driving, and a stop at Hiawassee Brew for some great local beer and a fabulous burger, we stayed at Hostel Around the Bend (previously Top of Georgia Hostel). Located east of Hiawassee, HATB is 0.6 miles from the AT crossing of Dick's Creek Gap. Recently renovated, this place is a very clean and peaceful respite from the town. 

All of this needs to fit into my Backpack!

One week of food for the Trail

Penny packing for the Appalachian Trail at Hostel Around the Bend

Backpacking 101: Most Common Mistakes of New Backpackers

I love organizing trips for inexperienced backpackers; they are so enthusiastic, just so happy to be outside, like every pretty view is the most amazing thing ever!  

Recently I organized a trip of 13 for a little trek on the Appalachian Trail from Maryland to Harper's Ferry.  A total of 20-ish miles over three days, so perfect for less experienced packers. Since this was far from my first 

1. Taking gear lists too literally: First, let me start by saying that Everyone, at every time they trek into the woods, should carry the 10 Essentials.  Heck, I carry them in my car so I have them whenever I leave my house!  Other than these, a lot of items are up for debate.  trowel, soap, deodorant. 

2. Carrying too much of one item: toilet paper, bottle of vitamins, entire package of fire starters

3. Carrying too large of an item:  full-size Mag Lite, half-pound bag of coffee. 

4. Buying too small of a pack:  hanging lots of stuff on the outside of your pack.

5. Buying too large of a pack:  it's like women who carry a large purse - if you have the space, you will fill it with needless space. 

6. Letting other people make you bring stuff:  if you aren't planning on cooking stead and potatoes over the fire, then don't carry it for anyone else! 

7. Not preparing for weather:  Temperature swing of 40* in one weekend (80* high first day to 40*F with a brisk wind the second night).

8. Not pre-testing gear:  Let's face it - gear failure is a fact of life.  

9. Overestimating Your Physical Fitness:  Pace yourself appropriately:  

10.  Proper hydration:  Don't underestimate how thirsty you may be, especially when you are a little out of shape and carrying weight.  One liter per 2 hours, plus one liter for every 1000' elevation gain should keep you from dying of thirst. 

11.  Don't forget the walmart bags!  They are terrible for the environment, but awesome to put over dry socks in cold weather once your feet get wet.  An awesome vapor barrier that can save 10 digits you will miss terribly once your fee thaw out.