3/12/08 Low Gap Shelter (41 miles N of Springer, 14.4 miles hiked today)

I feel the blissful liberation I have felt after every fatiguing day. Today was certainly a test of endurance, and I feel grateful for taking the challenge I am beginning to feel the sense of a roving community more and more. Many of my early friends like Atraen, Voodoo, Avalanche, and Rabbits Foot have taken time off at Neel’s Gap. Tonight I stumbled upon an entirely new band of hikers. It is difficult to predict who will and will not finish…we are all such determined characters.

               Tonight I write from the light of the stars and I am rather surprised at my ability to be content at night with no shelter. Hopefully I am becoming a profit of the wild.

               Peacock and Daddy-O are greater friends and assets than I initially expected—very encouraging and open-minded. It is with them that I have formed the closest pact. Today I stumbled into my fist trail angels, an elderly couple at Hogpen Gap handing out soda and cookies. I abandoned all pretense at preferring healthy foods and devoured what was offered. In fact, I practically collapsed after running up Hogpen Mountain to reach them since I had heard of their favor down the trail.

               Unfortunately I have gaping blisters on both heels and I cannot find a solution. I feel strong enough to complete this journey and I cannot let that stop me!

3/11/08 Woods Hold Shelter (27 miles N of Springer)

After 12.4 miles today I feel absolutely spent, mentally and physically. Though I punished myself with perseverance through fatigue and soreness, I feel better indoctrinated to the life of wandering. Already my mind is honed to a life of solitude and introspection. Every shade and hue is better defined under patient eyes and the sunshine is friendlier to weary minds.

        At first I was frustrated upon stumbling into a full shelter—occupied by boisterous and slothish southerners. And coincidentally, one of the 8 spaces was claimed by a man from Perth, Australia in the midst of the Georgia AT.. But after time to relax and a wonderful dinner prepared by mom, I left accepting and perfectly happy with my circumstances. Sometimes hard days make good evenings.

 

3/10/08 Greetings from Gooch Gap! (16 miles N of Springer)

“I feel it is more genuine to write all my feelings in the midst of hiking rather tan release them once I reach town. Of course, it certainly is early to make lasting judgments, so I will only record the little things which I have experienced so far.  

               I have come sixteen miles so far and seem to be in the shifty proving grounds. Physically and mentally I am trying to limit myself in the first leg of this great journey and only some of my company of other hikers are choosing to do the same. Last night one guy bragged about his daunting 21-mile schedule for today, but I have yet to see him pass me and I hiked eight miles today. The other thru-hikers certainly are a band of characters. Amongst us are a former chef, a veteran, disgruntled college students, a previous failed thru-hiker and an old thru-hiker with weathered skin and thick limbs—seemingly unbathed since his last thru-hike. The woods can certainly seem crowded, but it is a warm way to end a cold day in isolation. My first night in the shelter was surprisingly pleasant. I stayed warm and suffered only moderate stiffness. Of course the daytime is beautiful but I cannot wait for spring—so that the cold will pass and the wildlife will return. So far I am enjoying a time without troubles. I hope the same situation is true of home.

               I could hardly ask for a more satisfying night. Truly it is the simple things that buoy my mind and ease my muscles. Mild weather, warm fellowship and a soft place to sleep are the joys which I have found here and seldom in the commotion of competitive life. I must remember that my shoelaces deserve ample time for tying and lunch can last as long as I am content for there is no rush to reach a destination on a daily basis, and no need to sacrifice minutes. There is plenty of time to understand the people around me, so judging them now is hardly worth my time. I feel strong and confident about my abilities and goals. And slowly I can wean away from the gravity of cities. The climbs were difficult today bit it is still only the beginning.

Love, Michael/Ishmael

3/10/08 The naming! Hawk Mountain shelter (8.4 miles N of Springer)

I now call myself Ishmael. He was an orphan of the seas; I am on orphan of the woods. We have begun our journeys at the same time, embarking in to the nebulous world with only a vague vision of the world. But my voyage is what matters now—for I am in the present.

               After a sentimental parting with my mom and brother I set out on the great American footpath. I think that my throbbing excitement and curiosity carried me easily through the first day. Including the additional 0.9 mile hike south to Springer Mountain, I hiked 8.4 miles in about 4 hours, an excellent beginning time suitable to 20-mile days in the future. Meeting fellow thru-hikers brought about the same awkward anxiousness as the first day of school. In the beginning we gathered around the table with terse pieces of conversation before dinner. But after progressing past names and origins, it is interesting to discover people’s separate pasts. I have already forgotten most of the other’s trail names, but I was interested in a rambler called VooDoo, and an old weathered thru-hiker who told solemn stories of his hike. Hiking time is controlled by the sunlight. I have to adjust to early dinners and bedtimes. My fragmented thoughts include: gratefulness for Vaughn Thomas’ sleeping bag; assumptions that the men smoking outside right now will not make it to Katahdin. I now use my copy of Moby Dick as a pillow.”

               Love, Ishmael

Fontana Dam

Currently I have walked out of the woods into the lush Fontana Village, where I can rest my legs with my friends furniture, free hugs, fish, and steak and shake. I don't regret leaving the boundaries of civilization, now that I realize what I have been away from. Very interesting things are underway, but I don't have enough time to elaborate. I am on the boundary of the smoky mountains, my greatest crucible of the hike. Expect new pictures soon!

Reunion with Civilization

Greeting from scenic Franklin, North Carolina. I have already conquered Georgia, and I feel well-recieved by my home state with the ample supply of steep mountain climbs and violent storms. I am glad to have an opportunity to rest and regain calories in this town, especially since recently I have undergone a slew of difficulties. I have hiked the last 100 miles in shoes that irritate my feet; originally leather boots, then resorting to crocs, and for the last 40 miles I have been using a pair of donated sneakers. On the AT, we use the term "trailmagic" to describe people willing to do excessive favors for hikers, including giving away their shoes. Now that I am in Franklin, however, I feel finally compatible with the terrain with my new shoes.
I already feel the presence of a roving yet cohesive community climbing peaks and descending valleys. We share woes, discomforts, shelters, and food, as well as our innermost ambitions and insights on life. Hiking really has provided us with a greater perspective of the simple joys binding our world, and the way that sunshine can be taken for granted in an indoor world.

Peace,
Ishmael

Week 1 Appalachian Trail..somewhere in Georgia