Journey Day 178 | AT Day 1

3/22/86

Today I began the Appalachian Trail with Jack Mallory, a friend from West Texas. We left Jeff and Betty Carver, friends from West Virginia who drove us to Springer Mountain, Georgia, and hiked up the last part of the killer approach trail to Springer Mountain (and the trail's southern terminus).

Met several day hikers, including some Middle Easterners from Georgia Tech whom we found later worshipping their God in the trail. Hot, hard climbs made the first day challenging as we tested our legs.

Leafless trees left us with some views of our surroundings. Stopped unintentionally at a site near Long Falls. Beautiful background sound for our first night's sleep.