FOOT IN THE DOOR

We are finally on the trail and it feels GREAT! After a wonderful, relaxing vacation with the Blunk's, we got dropped off at Amicalola falls and began our hike.

There was a place to register at the welcome center... Collin (trail name: Teton) was the 1,066th aspiring thru-hiker to register this year while Liz (trail name: Moose) was the 1,067th. 

The approach trail to Springer Mountain was a butt-kicker. Collin's dad hiked the beginning with us for a few miles before returning back the cozy lodge while we trudged on! 

After 8.8 miles, we reading the southern terminus of the AT: the top of Springer Mountain. 

It was a beautiful view but we only got those photos captured on the GoPro. Other thru and day hikers are regularly seen through our days so far. There were lots of campsites at this summit but we chose not to stay...

We hiked about 2 and a half more miles down the trail in hopes of finding a shelter but we aren't quite used to our maps and milaeage yet. The near setting of the sun told us to find camp soon so we stayed next to a stream we found off the trail.

After quickly setting up camp, we cooked dinner a ways away (bear precaution)...pasta sides on the menu! It was now time to try our hand at bear bagging. We were surprisingly successful on the first try thanks to veteran AT hiker, Mohawk. 

First night jitters resulted in little sleep. It rained lightly for about half the night. Day 1: check!