Today was a spiritual day. I’m met so many awesome hikers today, including one guy who gave me such great inspiration. There’s a video of him coming up on my YouTube channel. I’m at the Above the Clouds Hostel tonight and I’m going to slack pack from Neels gap back here tomorrow.

Boy am I glad I’m at the hostel. It continues to be in the 20’s at night with lots of wind.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #2 (3/14/23)
Start — Devils Kitchen (14.4)
End — Woody Gap (20.5)
Today's mileage:  6.1
Total section miles:  20.5
Section Avg:  10.2
Total miles on AT: 1056.0

Loyalty to country always. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.

Mark Twain

I set out to do 10 1/2 miles today and succeeded! There were times when I thought I wasn’t gonna make it and times that I knew that I would. fortunately, the last few miles were fairly easy, and I cruised into the campsite about 5 PM.

I’ve met lots of hikers, including struggle bus, who is a Marine Corps veteran, hiking with his support dog.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #1 (3/13/23)
Start — Stover Creek (3.8)
End — Devils Kitchen (14.4)
Today's mileage:  10.6
Total section miles:  14.4
Section Avg:  14.4
Total miles on AT:  1049.9

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

Mark Twain

A cold front moved through Northern Georgia this morning. The rain was torrential, but backed off during the day. This wasn’t the first time I started a major hike in the rain.

I got a ride to the trail and started at the Springer Mountain trail head. Here is the crew that I rode with. I stopped for the night along Stover Creek in a stealth campsite all by myself. It’s cold, it’s wet and a little lonely too.

Start: Springer Mtn (0.0)
End: Stover Creek (3.8)
Miles: 3.8. Section: 3.8
Avg: NA Total: 1,035.5

Please note that my quote today is meant to be humorous, not political. If you are offended, go get a sense of humor.

In the first place God made idiots. This was for practice. Then He made School Boards.

Mark Twain

Boarding a plane to Orlando for the MC Scow Midwinters today. Saturday I drive to northern Georgia to get back on trail. Look for my blog posts starting 3/12 and YouTube videos starting 3/19.

I have failed over and over again. That is why I succeed.

Michael Jordan

It’s only one week until I’ll be back on trail. The big experiment this year is the tent, which hopefully will keep me warm at night. We’ll find out quick because a cold front is passing through northern Georgia the day before I start. Lows at night will be below freezing. Yikes!

I’ll also be sleeping with my water filter to make sure it doesn’t freeze.

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.

Winston Churchill