The island

Feel like I'm on a deserted island. Only ran into ten people today. Had my first trail magic experience today. A local gave me some fresh cheese, almonds and carrots, what a feast. Saw a large snake today and a black bear cub. The cub was less than 15 feet from me, I didn't look for the mama. Sprinted 200 yards uphill as if on fire, woke me up. Hiked 16 miles today to gapping gap shelter. Due to my mice experience from the other day I decided to pitch my tent. Going to have a sort hike tomorrow 3.6 miles and head into a nearby town for some much needed R&R. good day

Fog and rain

Today was nothing but fog and rain. Hiked 13 miles, terrain wasn't so bad today. My feet are all tore up from the first two days I started hiking. Cant change my socks fast enough. My feet are always wet. Decided to call it quits today at 4pm at the blue mountain shelter with a bunch of boy scouts getting ready for Philmont. My feet need rest badly. Last night at the shelter I had mice crawl all over me. Woke up to a mouse running over my face, what fun. I'm gonna pass out now.

A little better

May 28th
Another tough day but good day. Summited the highest peak in Georgia's AT section, Blood Mountain. I found I can climb easy enough, it's the going down that's hard. Met up with the Georgia group I stayed the night with and ate lunch with them at Blood Mountains shelter, what a view. Trekking poles have save my life numerous times now. I can not imagine hiking without them. Hiked 17 miles today. My feet are pretty rough but I'll be taking better care of them from here on out. Neels gap was ok, kinda expensive and a tourist trap. Got me a root beer and some much needed food and was off. Im spending my first night in a shelter. Hope not to many mice bother me. Night

Day 2

May 27th
Today was rough, blisters on my feet and out of breath all day. Still breaking in my shoes I guess. Today was so long, started hiking at 7:30 until 5:30. Water is hard to find and I'm sweating like crazy going up and down these pointless up and downs. Made it to Woody Gap near Suches, Georgia. There were camping restrictions due to bears so I had to camp short of my intended shelter. Stayed with a group from Georgia. Talked with them for a while and got some food for my way, score. My freeze dried food isn't cutting it. I'm waking up at 6 so I'm heading to bed now.

Alright first day

Owls are everywhere out here as well as water, streams are everywhere. People hiking here are nice.
I spent the day with charle a 32 guy from Mississippi. I think he used to be a drug addict back in the day. Lots of people just visiting the trail, very few nuts like me. Hit the trail fast today but only made it 8.5 miles. Started late 12pm and ran out of water, hurt my stride bad. Tomorrow the 27th ill make up for today. Early, fast and far.

Getting Ready to Begin

Mike and I drove nonstop to Atlanta Georgia. Took us about 15 hrs, but we are here. I'm currently setting up the blog and packing my equipment. Mike's going to drop me off tomorrow morning early at the southernmost terminus. More to come.

At the Hotel

I'm at the Hotel, driving Mike insane while he does this blog for me with barely any time to figure it out.