AT 5 - 31st March

 Great days walking. I went slower today to support Mike who was really struggling yesterday. He was hydrated and lack of food. Went up Blood mountain and at the top is the oldest shelter. Great views but a little misty. Walked all the way down to Neels gap. We were meant to be picked up by Tom who pulled out but he mixed the days up. We said Friday but he thought Thursday!!! He had hotel booked and all. Now what. We spent an hour looking for rooms and shuttle to hotel. We’re in Best Western for the night. I’m sharing with Scout. 2 for 1 room rate is worth it. 

I’m so looking forward to real food. 

The boots in the tree are from those who pulled out. Most people quit here. 

AT 4 - March 30th

 

What does the journey of 1000 miles 

start with ? The first step. 

What does the journey of 2000 miles 

start with ? Nothing, you’d be mad to start!!!

We have had our first pull out. Tom one of my amigos had to pull off the trail. He may come back but it was just too much. We are meeting him in Neels gap (tomorrow) for a few beers. 

Short section today because we have to walk the next section in one day. You have to have a bear canister to store your food in or you are not allowed to camp on that section. 

We’ve made reservations in Comfort Inn for tomorrow night. A real bed and hot water shower instead of rivers!!! Steak house next door. I’m salivating already!!

Built a dam so I could swim. Mark helped. Worth every hour making it. 

AT 3 - 29th March

Zero(c) last night. It was cold but I didn’t need to wear all my clothes which was good. Slept better. Woke early and stayed in warm bed till 7:30. Eat 2 portage portions to warm up. Another short day to Gooch mountain shelter. 8 something miles. I’m at 35km along. Starting slow till the legs kick in. Trail legs they call it. Setup  tent at 12:30 and ate lunch and had a sleep. 

I’m traveling with 3 (older guys) and 6 youngsters. I’m going to stick with the 3 till Neels gap mountain crossing. This will be the first resupply and probably stay somewhere with a real bed!!!!

We don’t walk together but we meet up at night. I’m giving one guy some dried dinners to tide him over till resupply. He underestimated and I overestimated. It’s nice having trail buddies. 

Thought for the day. 

Why does someone leave his father & mother and find a husband/wife. There’s the easy answers that they might be madly in love. But what is at the core of marriage. I know not everyone marries but it is certainly one of Gods designs. Maybe it for love or sex or to have kids. Today with my three companions I concluded it was for companionship. You can share anything with your other half. You can be open and honest. You can trust each other and never fear of rejection. You can talk about anything, well maybe some exceptions, weight, cooking, hair colour, clothes. You look lovely in that dress dear!!! To have a companion like that makes you feel whole. Jesus is definitely our companion and it’s the same, we can share anything. Keep walking life’s journey with your companion and also with Jesus. 

I miss so my companion. 

AT 2 - 28th March

 Woke at sunrise and felt refreshed. Woke a lot but rested good. Started walking 8:30 and headed down Springer mountain. At the car park there was my first “Trail magic”, it is surprise food given by “Trail angles”. Mountain Squid (trail name) was the guy. Nice drink and snack. 

Walked and came to river, couldn’t resist having a swim. REFRESHING. 

Went on side trail to Long creek falls. 

Ran into army guys out on manoeuvres in woods. Nice guys, one had done Camino. 

Sign on track offering food. 

Georgia adventure group had setup full facilities for lunch!!! Wild Man was really nice. Long chat since I was first in. 2nd trail magic in one day! 

Walked to Hawk mountain shelter and setup tent. 1st here. I think I walk quicker than some but I feel slow. They’ll arrive soon. 

Last night was the first camping night and I was awoken with something!! You then lie awake listening for what it was. Fear sets in and you imaging the worst. 

Thought for the day. 

“Be not afraid for I am with you”

Who is the “I am” ?

He is God

He is my King.

He is my Lord.

He is my saviour. 

He is my teacher. 

He is my shepherd. 

He is the lover of my soul. 

He is the Way. 

He is the Truth. 

He is the Life (and that to the full)

He is my comfort. 

He is my future. 

I see a picture of a thunderstorm and the little kid running into mums bed. He known if she is not afraid, then he’ll be ok. She comforts him with calming voice, and assured him not to be afraid. 

We can run to much stronger arms than that story. Jesus calls us and says I’m here, fear not. The storm still rages but in His care we can relax and concentrate on Him and his comforting words. 

AT 1 - 27th March.

 Went to AT office and registered. I’m number 1747. The guys are all volunteers. They gave a talk about the trail and to be responsible. I walked 8.3 miles up Springer mountain. At the start it was 500+ stairs up a waterfall. Then up up and away. Had a lunch siesta at Black gap shelter. The the final push to the top. 

Springer mountain is the official southern start of the AT. There’s a book at each shelter and Springer, you write you name and comments. It old school bush telegraph. You see who’s ahead and who you know and want to catchup to again. 

Camping at Springer mountain shelter. 

So I’ve actually only walked 0.3 miles of the AT. The climb up is approach trail and doesn’t count. Pitched tent and went to filter water from designated water source. Ate the first of many many many dried food dinners. It wasn’t bad. Heading to bed now to catch up on sleep. I was expecting to be cold but the weather has picked up and actually need sunscreen. I expect it will turn cold at some point. First day done on on the trail. 

Day 0 March 26th

Arrived in Boston with a long layover before flight to Atlanta.

I’m asking myself the question, “Am I mad”. Most of you are shouting at the screen “YES”.

What have I done. 

Who said this was a good idea. 

Why didn’t you say “Don’t do it Stephen“

No turning back now.

I had a 6 hour layover and with delayed it was 10 hours. Left Boston at 11:45pm and arrived at Atlanta at 1:45am. By the time I collected pack it was 2am.  Catherine collected me at door N1 and we drove to the start of the AT. It was 4am when we got there and she showed me around the buildings with a phone torch. She left and I merged my flight bag with my rucksack. At 5am I curled up on a picnic table and slept 2 hours. With a sleep at airport and on the flight and table I got about 5 hours sleep.