Arrival Plans

[CrumbSnatcher]

That sounds like something I'd do. Lol. I was thinking about selling my car right before the trail. Hmm...

makes for a fun road trip! i stopped at a Liquor store to ask about a car lot, the clerk said his vehicle just quit and was looking for something, ask me to wait around so a friend of his(law man)could stop by and check it out. he didn't even check out the truck, they were inside for a long time then came out with concerns that they couldn't find out any info on the truck, they actually ran the plates. he said" we couldn't find any info on your Alabama license plates, i said kind of hard when they are Nebraska tags. after a few more minutes and waiting for him to get off work, he test drove it while driving me & my dog to the trail. he was grinding the crap out of the gears, saying i don't know? i told him it was a newer tranny, and that he needed to get used to it. dropped us off and paid me in cash

[KillerKarma]

makes for a fun road trip!

...and a great story too!

[Daddyjim]

Flying into Atlanta Feb 20 start hiking Feb 21 God willing and weather permitting!

[Old Hiker]

2016 - renting a car in FL, driving to Gainesville 27 Feb, overnight at a motel, then the Hiker Hostel shuttle to the hostel overnight 28 Feb - with a 29 Feb start at Springer. Enterprise has a place right near the MARTA station Hiker Hostel uses.

Renting a car is cheaper than airfare or Amtrak, plus I can take my time going up. The train in 2012 was pretty neat, but took WAY too long. Went to DC, then back down.

[OnThePath]

Hi Krawler, I'm not to far from you. I actually go for wings in tamaqua. My cousin and I are planning on getting on the trail in the first couple weeks of march (we don't have an exact date set). I just moved back to Pa. I live not far from Hazleton. My cousin lives in Madison, Wi. He is gonna fly out here and I'm thinking of having a friend drive my vehicle down and splitting the gas.

[krawler]

OnthePath, Sent u a pm..

[Tgosborne782]

Probably Amtrak to Gainesville, then either shuttling or a ride from a friend of a friend if it works out. It'll be a 24 hour train ride but cheaper than flying and I'd really hate for the airline to lose my pack.

Staying overnight in Gainesville but where do you get shuttle to get to AF or Springer,Mt? Will it get you there for early leave? Or just plan on staying at Hiker Hotel instead of Gainesville?

[Frank_the_cat]

Fortunately I have some friends in ATL that I'm going to eat my "final" meal with before they drive me to the trails.

BUT, my 75 year old grandma is jealous I'm doing the trail, so she called me up the other day and asked if she could do the Approach trail with me. I would give anything to do that with her, so my plans may be changing. Side note: I have a seriously kick ass grandmother.

[mattjv89]

Staying overnight in Gainesville but where do you get shuttle to get to AF or Springer,Mt? Will it get you there for early leave? Or just plan on staying at Hiker Hotel instead of Gainesville?

There are a number of shuttle providers that will run from Gainesville to Springer/AF, I haven't seriously started looking at which one yet. Or I may be able to get picked up by a friend of my cousin's that lives in the area. I'm not sure what you mean by getting there for early leave? I'll figure out where I'm spending the night when I get the train ticket as I have no idea what time I'll be arriving in Gainesville.

[Jeff]

Yes...there are several great shuttle providers that do lots more than drive you. They have solid trail advise that will really help you. They also usually have stove fuel for sale.

Check with them before making your final airline purchase. It would be a shame if the shuttle provider is booked on the day you need their services.

Here are two really good ones:

http://www.atsurvivordave.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ron.brown.798?fref=ts

[hazmat]

I'm all set. Will be taking the Amtrak out of Boston to NYC then an overnighter to Atlanta. Overnighter includes sleeper, meals etc. (A mini adventure
before the GREAT adventure).
Arrive Atlanta, take MARTA
to North Springs. I will be taking advantage of the Hiker Hostel's "Thru-Hiker Special" which includes a bunk for the night of 16 Mar. and will shuttle to
Springer on St. Patty's Day!!

Yea

Is it March yet???

[Vet4thruhike]

There are a number of shuttle providers that will run from Gainesville to Springer/AF, I haven't seriously started looking at which one yet. Or I may be able to get picked up by a friend of my cousin's that lives in the area. I'm not sure what you mean by getting there for early leave? I'll figure out where I'm spending the night when I get the train ticket as I have no idea what time I'll be arriving in Gainesville.

the hiker hostel i talked to charges $80 to pick you up, dinner, your stay, breakfast and a ride to the trail. you have to take a marter, i think thats what its called, from the airport to the pickup spot but thats only a few bucks they said

[RangerZ]

Has anyone ever stayed at Camp Merrill? They have a 5 room cottage, 2 night stay, $50/night.
http://militaryliving.com/camp-frank...-(ga23r1).html

I've always wanted to revisit Camp Merrill, I haven't been able to convince my wife to make the drive when we've been in Georgia. All these years later, I don't remember much except plywood/tar paper 'barracks' and planning shelters.

And the RIs probably won't drop us for push ups.

[jawnzee]

Fly to Boston. Greyhound to Medway. Hitch to Baxter.

[Atraain]

I plan to catch a hop from Charleston to Dobbins. From there hitchhike, shuttle, car jack or walk to Amicalola Falls for ATKO.