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

It’s only 14 days until my shuttle pick-up that will take me to Springer Mountain for the start of my section hike. I’ve gone through my gear many times over the last several months, although I continue to test and revise it. Yesterday, I tried cooking pasta in my 650 ml Toaks pot. I suspected that it wouldn’t work well and I was right; It was an unmitigated disaster! The pasta burned onto the bottom of the pot and I spent the better part of the next hour cleaning the coagulated mess welded to the bottom of the pot. I’ll be sticking (LOL) to cooking Knorr Rice Sides in quart bags in a cozy. See my YouTube video on the “Thru Hiking Chef.”

Speaking of YouTube videos, I’m continuing to post weekly hiking videos and starting to follow many of my fellow hikers who are doing likewise. Surprisingly, I’ve come to realize why I’m doing the blog and vlog; to document my journey for myself. Life is about creating memories and the photos, videos, and written down thoughts help create those memories.

Not to mention thoughts, but there are so many emotions running through my head it’s crazy. I’ve had successes and failures in my 8 previous section hikes. This will be my longest section; previous was 300 miles, and I want this one to be a success. There is so much that can take someone off trail: injury, weather, gear problems, etc. I must have determination and resolve to make it through pain, inconvenience, cold, loneliness and “the suck.”

Remember to follow my blog (here) for up-to-date information and to follow my hike. YouTube videos on my channel will be delayed one week, but should document my journey with more detail.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson