The Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park

So on April 30th we begin the 8.5 mile approach trail at Amicalola Falls State Park where we set off for Springer Mountain on our 2174 mile journey to Maine.

This picture requires a bit of disclaimer, though. We registered at the trail head a day early an snapped this photo, so we'd have something to post back to the site. Our packs are also not loaded with the food we are bringing, so they are filled slightly less than they actually will be. Also, the sign is a bit outdated, so the distance to Katahdin, Maine is a bit slighted.



As hopeful thru-hikers, we were #596 and #597 who registered at the Amicalola Falls State Park Approach Trail, the traditional route to the AT's southern terminus. We're told that an approximately equal number of hikers get to the terminus via a .9 mile fire road trail and register at Springer.

That means only about 1200 hikers are registered this year, which seems to be a bit lower than normal.

When registering, we were surprised how many people had ginormous pack weights recorded by their names. Our packs came in at 9 lbs. before food, and in our quick glance of the register, there was only one other hiker whose pack was in the neighborhood at 12 lbs. The rest of the notebook was filled with 25, 40 and 55 pound packs. In the short time we were at the visitor center, we actually met 2 people who were ending their hikes with only a few miles on the trail. It seems like these monster packs can certainly make hiking tough. I can relate since that's exactly what I was carrying until 3 years ago.

Lauren said she thinks most people won't even take us seriously or will think we're not responsibly prepared just because it isn't difficult to walk under our loads. Even though lightweight backpacking gear isn't really all that new, I bet she's right.

Anyway, it's 1:35am on the eve of our hike, and I'm ready to rock! I need some sleep first though.

Green is the New Brown

The new growth in Georgia is vibrant and boasts of new life. I was slightly disappointed to start our hike so late, thinking we might miss the beginnings of spring, but it seems like we're getting started at just the right time.



Due to a cold snap, spring has not arrived to the higher elevations (2000' and up), so we're enjoying the balmy 70 degree temperatures and watching the new growth with each day.

Contributing Sponsors

Every once in a while a company or product comes along that we truly believe in.

Lauren and I have been using these products on the trail since the beginning and after realizing how much we value them, we have contacted them directly to see if they would be interested in partnering with us on our journey.

• We are proud to announce Valley Fig Growers as our first partner! (Our post about Valley Fig) They have donated enough figs to see Lauren through the duration of our trip!
• E3 Live is contributing several bottles of their Blue Green Algae supplements.
• Bear Valley, makers of the excellent Pemmican and Mealpack Natural Energy Bars have donated several cases to us and have offered a discounted price for bulk orders.
• Just Tomatoes sells the most delicious mixes of dried fruits and veggies, and is sending us surprise mail drops along the way. They are familiar with thru-hikers, and instantly jumped on board with us!
  

Some Parting Links

We're headed down to Amicalola Falls State Park this morning. We're taking a rest day at the lodge there before we start to regroup and start our hike fresh on Monday morning.

If you're curious about where the AT actually traverses, here is an interactive Google map of the trail shelters to pan and zoom to your heart's content

I posted a rough attempt at an itinerary tonight. If you follow the link to our detailed spreadsheet, it may look well-planned, but we can only assume our summer will barely resemble what is written down.

Not sure when we'll be in touch next.
Peace and Love,
Ben & Lauren

Preparations from Mickleton, NJ

Here we our with our packs this morning in Mickleton NJ before our southbound road-trip to Lauren's sister and brother-in-law Amanda and Jason in Virginia.

We spent night with Lauren's parents last night; our third location with family in as many days. After arriving by greyhound, it was an afternoon of last minute shopping details (cash, food items, shipping supplies) with Lauren's dad as our chauffeur.

Due to time constraints in L.A., we brought more hiking gear than we'll need with the intention of sorting it all out in New Jersey. Last night we stayed up late again, paring each of our base packweights(all items before consumable food and water) to below 8.5 pounds or 3.8kg. If you're curious, I've posted spreadsheet with the details.



Oh, and the red jacket I'm wearing is the one I completed from the "$500 jacket" post. It has a hood, fits perfefctly and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

A New Look at Wool

I've worn wool garments before and they remind me of two things: itchy and hot. Recently I was turned on to some manufacturers who are taking a new approach to wool, making clothing that fit neither description. And the benefit of wool is that it does not promote bacteria growth (i.e. armpit funk) unlike polypropylene or synthetic wicking materials.

We purchased some ultra-fine weight wool shirts in hopes that we'll be less offensive in town or ride-hitching situations. Although pricey ($50-80) compared to the button down polyester shirts we were considering, we thought they might be justified over a summer of use.

After some extensive testing -- wearing both ways on my bicycle commute and sleeping in it for a week -- I am a believer in the odor-free reputation of wool. I look forward to seeing how they will perform on the trail.

Some manufacturers include:
Ibex, Icebreaker, Smartwool, Patagonia

The Whirlwind that was Pittsburgh

My mom helped us make some alterations to our lightweight rain gear. Who would have guessed that my mom and I would have sewing as a common interest!?



My quilts are a bit different than hers, but she did say it was "cool" and that "technically it is a quilt."

We took a break from our busy day of preparations to show my parents and Hannah our tarp shelter and quilt. When she was shopping for s'mores ingredients with my mom, Hannah said that her "bones were excited" to go camping with us in the backyard.



It was fun demonstrating our gear for my family.

Many people we meet have trouble comprehending sleeping in a tent so a summer under our tarp sounds even more extreme. And the best way to let them see the advantages of a tarp is a backyard demonstration. The truth is, our tarp is roomier and drier than because it eliminates condensation. Like most lightweight gear, carrying a tarp can be more functional than the traditional counterpart, but you can only carry less on your back if you carry more in your head.

Map On the Wall

We mounted a map of the trail on the kitchen wall of my parent's house. We oriented it diagonally because the trail heads in a more northeasterly direction than it does due north. My dad loves maps and was examining the route we will be hiking.

The maps we gave to family and friends included a sticker with our ugly mugs and the address to our AT 2007 journal.

Test Post From State College

(Phone message transcribed by Bethany)

Well, Lauren and I are here in State College, Pennsylvania, visiting my sister Bethany. We are sitting in Saint's Cafe. This is a test post of our message delivery system, to see if it will work.

If everything works correctly, I make a free phone call to Gabcast.com (link to our channel), Bethany transcribes the mp3 file, and then she sends the text as an email that posts to this blog.

Alright, over and out!

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UPDATE

It looks like the posting system works. Cool!

Lauren and I had a great time on campus with Bethany where she showed us here stomping grounds. With the chilly spring rains, we got a chance to try out our lightweight rain jackets that my mom helped finish altering the night before. Thanks for the hospitality and transcription help, Bethany!

On the East Coast

It's 2:30AM in Pittsburgh and Lauren and I just finished waterproofing some of our stowbags and rain mitts. We're here enjoying some time with my family, while making final preparations.

After a a nonstop weekend of work fueled by Armenian coffee, Monday morning we wrapped up details in L.A. and moved the last of our things from our apartment. At noon we boarded our plane at LAX, caught a layover in Atlanta (where ironically we'll be starting the trail next weekend) and then were greeted by my dad when we arrived in Pittsburgh.

The last week has been a whirlwind of activity and logistical planning, which I hope to write about soon.

McAfee's Knob

Last time I was on Mcafee's Knob was in the fall of 1998, when this picture was taken. The spot is so scenic, it's no coincidence that it appears in just about every pamphlet or book describing the AT.

Back then I slept out under the stars on the massive slab, with my friends Dave and Ben, even though you're not supposed to because it gets so much use. That was one of the most peaceful and balmy nights I've ever spent outdoors.

In the morning we got up at sunrise and snapped a few photos with the self-timer. I wonder what this beautiful spot will have in store this time around.

Extra bonus! Here's are two 360° panoramas from the top: summer time.

Mail Forwarding Flubbed

In late March, I went to the USPS website and completed the temporary change of address & mail forwarding request form, so that our mail would be redirected to Lauren's parents when we move out.

Although I requested the service to begin April 21st, we became suspicious of an error when on April 10 & 11 we didn't receiving anything, not even the Val-Pack junk stack. On Wednesday the 12th, I called the P.O. and was able to speak directly to our carrier and straighten things out. Sure enough, Phillip had been given the wrong date and was already forwarding our mail.

The situation is a bit unnerving since we're receiving multiple trip-related shipments nearly every day. We hope that whatever items might be lost in the postal vortex either end up back here, or make it to NJ by the time we arrive next week. The only M.I.A. shipment I'm aware of is the maps of the first 3 states that Lauren's mom mailed out for us.

Plan B, of course, will be a mantra we picked up from RJ, "If I don't have it, then I don't need it."

My $500 Jacket

Okay, I actually don't know how much it cost me, but after materials and the time-intensive sewing process, it certainly wasn't cheap. So why wouldn't I just pay $30-70 for a brand name shell jacket and be done with it?

Well, the problem is that I fall in between the standard sizes for most manufacturers of long sleeve garments. I'm 6'2", trim, with long arms. So if I buy a Large, most times I'll be swimming in the torso. And If I buy a Medium, the chest will fit well, but the arms will look like I had a post-adolescent growth spurt.

Since I'm making the jacket myself, besides a perfect fit, the other benefits are that it will be better constructed, will have only the features I want and nothing more, and will be lighter weight anything I could buy commercially.

I stayed up until 1:30am last night working on it, and it's almost done. I'll definitely post a picture of it when it's finished.

Sadness in Blacksburg This Morning

The fatal shootings in Blacksburg, VA (Latest Headlines) are saddening and disturbing to say the least. Having spent 4 amazing years there, this is weighing heavily on my morning.

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UPDATE

A convocation from Nikki Giovanni, poet, author and professor at Virginia Tech.