My trip along the Appalachian Trail

This is a diary of sorts from the past that chronicles my journey across the Appalachian Trail in 1989. The Appalachian Trail is a continuous hiking path that extends from Georgia to Maine, and is over 2100 miles of some extraordinary hiking that traverses 14 states. This trip was the fullfillment of a lifelong dream. I hope not only to relive this dream in the pages of this blog, but I hope to take you along as well. So put on your hiking boots and enjoy the trip!

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Location: Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Day 5

Saturday, April 8, 1989
The skies opened up again today and spit down snow all day. Unfortunately we went over Blood Mountain today; the highest point on the AT in Georgia and some of the best views in Georgia as well. Visibility was only about 50 feet. We were robbed! By the time we got to Neal's Gap, we were soaked all the way through. We went into Blue Ridge and stayed at ET's mom's house. (Shower, shave, s__t, laundry, dry up, Chinese dinner.) It was a welcome feeling.


Some pictures of the Chattahoochee National Forest from the AT


Saturday, October 21, 2006

Day 4

Friday, April 7, 1989
What a satisfying day! I didn't put many miles in, but it was satisfying none-the-less. The stars are out now and you would never know that it snowed last night. That's right, snow, about two inches of it. It got my tent, air mattress and my sleeping bag wet. It was cold and windy the first part of the day today, but after about four hours of holding up in the shelter at Gooch Gap, the weather cleared up and we moved on. ET is still with me although he does pull into camp a good time behind me. John got left behind and plans to hike into Suches for supplies. All I can do now is leave an occassional note behind in the log books. I'm watching the fire from the tent now as it burns out; just like me!


Second night on the A.T. at Blackwell Creek with ET and Nanosec.
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Next morning at Blackwell Creek after the first snow on the A.T.
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Held up at Gooch Gap Shelter with ET and Nanosec.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Day 3

Thursday, April 6, 1989
What a day! I put in about 12.4 miles today and I must admit that I feel it. I started out this morning with Ed (that was his name) but he calls himself ET. Someone abandoned a tent at Stover Shelter last night because it was too heavy. He just took the fly. I talked with another hiker at Hawk Mountain who was leaving stuff behind also. I got a nice pair on sun glasses from him. I left Ed and didn't see him again until camp. I met a couple from British Columbia who had their 2 1/2 year old son with them and another older couple from Mississippi. I passed both couples. I also met John (what a character!) at the stream here. We talked for about 1 1/2 hours before who shows up? ET. We are all in our tents for the night and it is starting to rain again now. I'm really tired and think I'll go to sleep, but all in all it was a great day.

Ed Taylor "ET" on the trail in Georgia


John Perry "Nanosec" at Blackwell Creek

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Day 2

Wednesday, April 5, 1989
It was a much better day today. The sun came out and I was able to dry all of my stuff out. I met two other thru-hikers today. I hiked with one of them most of the day, but I forgot his name already. I will tell you tommorrow. Well, I'm actually on the AT now. I tried my cheescake but it didn't set up. I used too much water, I guess. Night!


The start of the Appalachian Trail atop Springer Mountain in Georgia

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Day 1



Tuesday, April 4, 1989
Well,--- I'm finally here! I haven't reached the beginning of the Appalachian Trail itself yet, but that will come tommorrow. After Ron dropped me off in the Amicalola State Park I did try to begin the trail, or I should say get to the beginning of the trail, but my attempt was foiled by (of all things) a TORNADO! I went back to the visitor house soaking wet. Soaking wet already and I hadn't been on the trail more than 30 minutes. I waited for the rain to stop, hiked to the campground, and here I am. This is GREAT!