The 5million step programme begins!

Fri 11 March Day 1
The Hiker Hostel put on a lovely bfast of waffles, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and grits (corn something) all of which I topped with maple syrup :) YUM! Our drop off time was 8.30ish and we arrived at the Amicalola Falls State Park at 9.15. We signed into the log book and took the obligatory photo at the approach trail archway, then set off at 9.30.

604 single leg squats later (that's code for stairs) we got to the top of the falls. Lots of water due to lots of rain but was lucky today as the weather is sunny yet crisp.

I have spent the first day hiking with a previous 2000miler called Freefall - thanks again for all the great info, it will be helpful. We got to the top of Springer Mountain (8.8mi) in 4hrs - which I thought was a good start. He continued onward to the next shelter but I am staying here at the Springer Mountain shelter. The end of day one.

I am about to cook dinner - it's only 3.30pm but would rather do it now in the sunshine and snack on muesli bars later. We'll see how that goes :)

Sat 12 Mar Day 2
Dinner turned out to be at 4.30 and then a group of us went to see the sunset from Springer Mtn. It was beautiful - will try and put up a photo (not sure how to do that yet).

Today began with a mice running event about midnight - 3 times up and down my pack and raincoat them over the top of my head - Sharon, you wouldn't have liked it one bit. Plus a guy snoring that shook the floorboards (my loudest encounter yet)! Then a privy stop (yes that's the loo) at 6.30am -just the right time for sunrise. I didn't hang around long as it was really cold. But lovely. What a start :)

I headed to Hawk Mtn Shelter today-7.8mi in 3hrs. Another good effort. Am going to attempt a 12.5mi day tomorrow.

A day has made a difference to my packing - things fit a lot better already. It's still about 14kg though. Lots of food! Found out that my water purifier doesn't work - luckily Peregrine (man I walked with today) let me use his. Hopefully all I will have to do is sort out new batteries! A little annoying.

I am sleeping in my tent tonight. Hopefully less mice-capades and snoring. It is really warm during the day and cold at night. It was a great day today.

I heard today that there was a massive earthquake in Japan! I don't know where exactly but I hope everyone is ok. Please let me know any details.

Catch up tomorrow

Sun 13 Mar
A long day today - 13mi in 6hrs! And it even included a 15min stop and a 10min beer break. Not bad timing.

Stinking hot today - sunny and 19deg. I think I even got a bit sunburnt. But the best part was arriving at Woody Gap and getting pizza and sodas from a trail angel. It was magic and the best timing for the end of the day.
Josh from the Hiker Hostel picked some of us up and I managed to get to Walmart to replace the batteries in my Steripen. It is working now!
Got to check my washing. Catch up later.

- posted by kb :)