Rev's First Days on Trail

First night at three forks rain,sleet, lower 20s cozy and warm in the hammock, everything frozen in the morning very cold. 9.5 mile day.


Second day pushed to Justus Creek, stupid move had to set up in the dark, 10 mile day, lot's of mud but warmer day. First fall totally lost my feet landed on my pack. Felt like a turtle barely got up made 3 new dog friends.


Day 3 hiked to Lance Creek first bear sign cub print with a mama print just ahead. Sassafras Mountain was a total monster but great views. Entered the campground to the shout of Reverend! A lot of community forming quickly on the trail. Camped with 5 new trail friends.


Day 4 short miles huge day 6 hours to do 7 miles. Blood Mountain was amazing! Met a Twitter friend on the trail, great day into a real bed tonight and a rest (zero) day tomorrow. This is even harder and more awesome than anticipated. Lots of ups and downs every day, really awesome people.


Trail people so far 3 Kevins 2 from Maine, 1 from FL, abbey, petri, ducky, AT, Kayla, Bain, Bactracker, Wildcard, speed bump, warrior, airman, Running Nose the GA trail angel and a ton of people whose names escape me or had not picked one yet. I have made over 10 new dog friends including a pair of miniature italian Dalmatians wearing beat bells.


Ahh Team Turtle a name I forgot but I'm one of the slowest people on the trail. But, two 20 yr olds have already quit, and the stats say 30 percent of all hikers quit here at Neels Gap, I'll be walking on in 2 days. Some are younger and faster I'm faster than a couple, luckier so far than some and more determined than a lot. So slow and steady has me further down the trail than a lot of folks. This is hard as hell and I'm happy and lucky as hell to be doing it! Night all, an actual bed under a roof, is calling my name.

In Neels Gap GA, climbed Blood Mountain today highest pt on the AT in GA. Climb was magnificent the descent SUCKED! This is really hard and I'm sun burned and really happy.

Amazing how fast you recover on a zero day very ready to hit the trail in the morning. List of ailments so far, pulled lower back muscle day 1, sore shoulder muscles, sore mid-back muscles, blister on right foot from a boot rub, sore spot on left ankle from boot rub. All much, much better today, let's walk.