A quick run down of the numbers, on the 23rd I did 8.8 miles from the approach to Springer Shelter. On the 24th I did 15.6 miles to Gooch Mountain shelter. On the 24th I did 15.9 miles to Neel Gap and slept in the mountain cross hostel. On the 25th we pushed to Blue Mountain shelter after 18.8 miles.
I pity anyone who walks the AT looking for solitude for two reasons, first there are a ton of people at the start so unless you start the trail really early or realy late your going to run into someone. Second, so far everyone I have met is a character and has a story to tell. (For those who don't know you either show up with a trail name or you are named by your fellow hikers on the trail, I have been hiking with the Darkest Hour for two days and have no idea what is non trail name is). Fools Gold The Richest Man on the AT is 12 years old and hiking with his mom and sister from LA, he has a 30 pound pack and is determined to make it to Katahdin. Can Do is 78 years old and pushing for Maine he has section hiked the entire AT but wants to make a push and do it all at once. There are dozens more people that I have already met in three days and it would take all of my downtime for the rest of the AT to tell their stories.
To say I was prepared for this trip would be a stretch, I researched the gear, but that was about it. Before Saturday I didn't even know where the approach trail for Springer was, I carried in seven days of food even though my first resupply could have been within 3 days, and I hadn't really even looked at my guidebook until I was on Springer. With that being said Dirty Harry provided me with the some words of wisdom saying "the trail will provide for you, but just know sometimes it provides you with a hard time" With that being said knocking out two 15 mile days, and an 18 miler today I think I'll be alright, and pick it up as I go. What's the worse that can happen.
Tree of Lost Souls
View from the top level at the shelter, 14 is reading and rope burn is about to gorge himself