Mile 37.1: The Shakedown
The morning that I started my hike felt uncanny. For months I’d been planning and anticipating this journey, and then one day it became a simple matter of waking up, driving an hour-and-a-half south through drizzling rain, and arriving at the gap where the Appalachian Trail crosses a Forest Service road. It was too much to think about the scope of the journey I was setting out on. I couldn’t wrap my mind around seven months; so I kept talking myself down to focusing on the first three days, or even just this day: nine miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter.
On the drive down I told Sunshine that I had a queasy feeling in my gut, like I was about to go on stage in the lead role of my middle school musical. That feeling quickly disappeared once we set foot on the Trail and began taking steps towards Springer. Within a few hours of hiking I felt myself settle in, and by the evening it felt like any other backpacking trip I’d been on. I felt myself relaxing into the peace and beauty of the bare Georgia woods. That first night we met a couple of people who would become my first friends on the AT, Steven and Erin (and Erin’s dog Chevy). We settled in for a good night’s sleep as the Army Rangers began their nighttime drills in the woods around us, a lullaby of distant machine-gunfire.
This is the story of my first week on the trail: the people I met along the way and some of the common lessons that thru-hikers learn as they start out on this great challenge. Thanks for sharing the journey; please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Chris (Do you have a trail name?) and Sunshine, I am really enjoying this video series and the photos and posts. My wife and I will be doing the beginning as a section at the end of May and I like seeing the visuals. I just hope to not see any snow and a little more of spring. I have a technical questions. Are you doing the editing Chris, or is this something Sunshine is doing. I think the videos are put together really well and was wondering how you can find the time to hike, resupply, shoot video and edit. You two make a good team.
Hike on,
Jefe
Thank you, Jefe. I think you’ll enjoy your May hike–it should certainly be warmer then!
To answer your questions, my trail name is Frost. Sunshine helps me with the filming some when she comes out to hike portions of the trail, but I do the editing. I’m just now coming to the end of a two week layover to work on new content, and it’s proving to be a bit more than I bargained for. I’m looking forward to getting back on the trail and hiking for a while. Perhaps I’ll be able to share more of the “behind the scenes” perspective in a later episode. Thanks for watching!
Chris,
the video looks great. can’t wait to get out there with you next week, i am glad i got to see this video before we start. i will take your advise and pack lighter than i was going to origionally. and like jefe i hope it is a little warmer next week.
Yeah, buddy! It’s gonna be awesome.
Your videos, photos and blog are incredible. I have watched the videos several times and shared them with others. It is my dream to hike the AT one day. Until then I will enjoy what I can through you and others. May you have a wonderful journey.
Thanks so much! We’re glad you’re enjoying them.
This is fantastic, Chris. Absolutely great. I have a hard time actually keeping up to date with most blogs, but I don’t think I’ll have that problem with this. Good luck!
Frost – I’m glad to see you are still heading North but took some time off for editing. I hope you missed that terrible storm (Virgil) and all the snow. I made it to Stecoah Gap/Hwy. 143 but plantar fasciitis got the best of me on March 22nd. I knew bad weather was looming and feel fortunate to have been at home. Some friends I made on the trail went through the worst of it but have come out on the other side now. My husband brought me home and I hope to return to the trail this week or next (depends on the right foot). You are so talented; thanks for carrying the extra load in order to film your journey. Priceless ! You continue to be in my prayers for a safe journey to Katahdin.
Excellent videos and pictures! Looking forward to more in the weeks to come. Will be out on the AT three times this year (GA & NC in April and July, and then CT in September). Maybe we’ll see you out there.
Frost, Thanks so much for sharing your thru-hike with us. I really enjoy reading your posts, watching the videos, and checking out the photos as well. I am into hiking, hammock camping, and photography as well. I love being outdoors and doing wildlife and nature shoots. You and Sunshine are doing a great job so far. Do you guys plan on doing any hammocking on your trip? The weather has been really nice the last few days here in N.E. Alabama so hopefully things are improving for you as well. Just wanted to say hi and that we are pulling for ya!!! Take care and all the best to you and Sunshine.
Thanks, all. Glad to know you’ll be following along, Will. And Bama Man, I have not tried the hammoc approach, though some guys were making it look pretty comfy in Abingdon Gap last night. Prayer Walker: glad to know you have been able to give yourself some rest from the trail. I’ll be wishing you a quick healing-up and a happy return to the trail in warmer weather.
-Frost
Excellent video, Frost. My friend and I hiked with you a short while after Carver’s Gap near Roan Mtn. Enjoyed talking with you and look forward to the videos to follow. Especially the one where you make it to the top of Mt. Katahdin!