Springer Mountain!!! The beginning of the AT! After a day of rest and some phenomenal meals at Amicalola Lodge, we climbed Springer on Easter Sunday.
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We had a few bad nights of stealth camping between the AL/GA stateline and Springer. We also underestimated the mileage and pulled some stupendously long days. The AT was like heaven. There were campsites everywhere, designated water sources, data books a plenty, and to top it all off, we had been here before. This was familiar territory at last.
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A lot of people decided to climb Springer on Easter. Whoa. Good thing we could hike faster than most of them!
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Simon was our first AT friend this year. We met him on top of Springer and hiked down to Hawk Mountain Shelter with us. He was already in trail shape and could outhike us by day 3. Whoa...
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Gogo (Jude) named him Jolly Roger (aka Jolly, aka JR, aka Jaaaarrrrrh!) because he liked to tell pirate jokes.
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Mallow is standing in a hole in this picture on top of Cheoaha bald. Jolly is not a giant.
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We met Sam-I-Am and Sierra on top of Springer as well. Sam-I-Am was an AT alum out for the 400 miles from Springer to Damascus for Trail Days.
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Sierra was a great Trail Dog. Mallow and Sierra relaxing one evening (note Mallow's house slippers.)
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Sierra keeping an eye on us.
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We camped here the day before we climbed Blood Mtn. Great campsite.
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We stayed with Mandy, Ashleigh, Sam-I-Am, Sierra, Jolly, and the Exhibitionist. Built a fire. Looked at stars. Hung out. A good way to begin the AT.
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The next day we climbed Blood Mtn. There is an old CCC cabin on top. We couldn't believe how easy the climb was! In '97 it nearly killed us, but after 1000 miles of FL/AL it was no problem.
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There are also great views! GoGo and Mallow met on Blood Mtn back in 1997.
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We all hiked North. This is Sam-I-Am, Sierra, Jolly and GoGo hitching into Hiawassee.
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Sierra scored the ride.
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Classic trail town supermarket shot.
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The trick is getting all that food into the backpack.
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GoGo wasn't feeling well the day we crossed into North Carolina.
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Mallow was feeling great though! Three states down, lots to go!
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The famous old oak in Bly Gap. This oak is sort of the unofficial GA/NC state line.
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