March 26 - Springer Mountain, Georgia

On Monday just after 4:00pm, Terri, Torin, Paula (Trail Name: "GramCracker") (more about Paula later) and Rick (more about Rick later) were atop Springer Mountain and looking out over the Chattahoochee National Forest. After signing in atop Springer, they took their first steps along the white blaze trail and began their descent. I must say that I was taken back by the terrain and the nature of the "trail." Think of walkway with lovely grass fields on either side of a well maintained level surface... then dismiss that and go to the opposite end of the spectrum.

Given the late start, they hiked just a few hours before sunset. Terri and Torin pitched the tent for the first time at Stover Creek Shelter and settled in for the night.

2.8 miles complete/2,181.4 miles to go.

March 27 - Gooch Mountain

A quiet day of 13 miles of hiking to Gooch Mountain Shelter.

March 28 - Mountain Crossing Walasi-Yi at Neel's Gap

Early start from Gooch Mountain Shelter as a long day of hiking lie ahead of the four hikers.

Terri and Torin experienced their first "Trail Magic." Trail Magic are random acts of kindness experienced along the trail. This version saw four ladies who had met while hiking the AT years ago getting together and serving hotdogs, chips and soda to hikers as they came down off Black Mountain and crossed Highway 60. Torin was very excited as he struggled to transition to trail food and the hotdogs came just at the right time as thereafter the three finished their 16 miles including the ascent of the 4500' Blood Mountain which included some boulder climbing.

While hotdogs and soda was a welcomed bit of on the AT Trail Magic, Terri's first experience of Trail Magic came seven weeks before she stepped onto the Appalachian Trail during our first visit to the outfitters store in Orlando, Travel Country. Fantastic store but more importantly... great people working there who are experienced and love sharing that experience to best prepare someone for this type of undertaking. During that first visit, Wayne (trail name: "KrispyKritter") was working with Terri and suddenly stopped and called another customer over and introduced Terri to Paula (trail name: "GramCracker"). "GramCracker" spent the next four hours with Terri helping her with her gear and provided suggestions and within an hour of meeting, "GramCracker" told Terri that she would hike with her as she had launched several other thru hikers and it was her way of paying forward the courtesies that were extended to her when she began her hike. A couple meetings and lots of email later, arrangements had been finalized for us to meet with "GramCracker" in North Georgia to begin the hike together.

Also, a bonus arrived before that start of the hike in the form of Rick, "GramCracker"'s Godson and avid hiker. Rick provided Torin with loads of information about the outdoors he was experiencing on the hike.

The hikers arrived at the "famous" Mountain Crossings outfitters and spent the night in the "Squirrel Cabin."

31.7 miles complete/2,152.7 miles to go

March 29 - Hog Pen Gap Shelter

After the long day into Mountain Crossings, the three hikers took a light day with a view to a longer day on the 30th and arranged pickup of Torin. A hike of 6.9 miles to Hog Pen Gap and a fire at the end of the day.

38.6 miles complete/2,145.8 miles to go.

March 30 - Unicoi Gap and the end of Torin's Spring Hike

The hikers had 14 miles to accomplish to Unicoi Gap where Jim would arrive, pick them up and shuttle them to Casa O'Brien for food, cleansing and relaxation before two hikers would return to that spot and continue onward.

Below is an example of the trail...

And if a tree falls, the local hiking clubs who maintain all 2,184 miles of trail determine the best way for the trail to proceed...

After completing their journey for the day, Torin strikes a victory pose...

52.9 miles complete/2,131.50 miles to go.

March 31 - Two Hikers and Tray Mountain

After breakfast Terri worked feverishly to reduce her pack weight to 30 lbs (she started with 35 lbs) and upon the ceremonial weighing of the backpack achieving approximately 30 lbs, we bid our goodbyes to our gracious hosts, Jim's parents, and drove back to Unicoi Gap.

Torin and I said good-bye to Terri and Paula (trail name: "GramCracker"... a grandmother from the south is the genesis) and watched them begin their hike which would include a 2500 foot elevation increase in two ascents over the next 5 miles as they hiked to the top of Tray Mountain and settled in their camp at the Tray Mountain Shelter.

At this camp, Terri and "GramCracker" met Grace, a junior in college doing a thru hike before life gets in the way.

58.6 miles complete/2,125.8 miles to go

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