Pack weight.

Did some thinking about my gear and food and all up with food and water tomorrow will be 25 pounds! I ought to be able to do some work!

29MARCH

Last night Voltron and I camped about a quarter of a mile from the road to hiawassee, ga. We caught a shuttle in to town and split a room at the budget inn. It's been really nice and sunny the last few days, and we've been doing 10-13 mile days! Resupplied on food, showered, and a bed for the night! Also I've lost 15 pounds in 7ish days...

25MARCH

So I got to the top of springer mountain on the 22nd, and it was muggy and foggy/cloudy. I wet a couple miles down the trail to a shelter hoping it would be less crowded, met some cool people. The next day I hiked about 8 hours, 6 in the rain... For a total of 13 miles. Stayed in my tent that night and it thundered and lightning and poured rain all night :) Hiked 8 miles the next day and stayed in my tent in the rain again haha. Today was rough, had a 5 mile approach up a 4000+ ft mountain, then a smooth 2 miles to the outfitter at neel gap. I haven't been sleeping much at all, and maybe eating 500cal a day... Not good. I was so worn out I decided to get a cabin for the night! I had a delicious French dip sandwhich, an I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bed!!! Oh! Picked up a big Agnes inflatable sleeping pad to go with my BA sleeping bag so the sleep issue ought to clear up. That's it for now!

22MARCH

Mmmmm! Cracker barrel makes for a good last brunch before I step off!

Pack weight.

Weighed the pack checking in at the airport: 22.5lbs, no food or water.

21MARCH

Headed to the airport this afternoon with my Grandpa, on our way to Georgia!

Gear.

If you are wondering what 5 months worth of hiking gear looks like... almost exactly like 2 weeks worth of hiking. This picture is blurry, but all (I hope) that I need, minus food and water.  

20MARCH

For those of you that don't know, I am leaving tomorrow to Georgia, where, on 23March I will be making the first of a literal 5MILLION steps.  From Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mt. Katahdin, Maine, I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I will try and stay on top of updating this blog.

-Joel