Hiking from the South Terminus to Neels Gap

[Jeremy Peyton]

Thanks muddy! I'll look into it!

[Jeremy Peyton]

How does everyone store there packs overnight? Do you store them away from your tent?

[max patch]

Shelter dwellers keep them in the shelter.

Most tenters bring them inside the tent with them.

My tent has no room for a pack; money and id goes inside the tent and the pack is next to the tent leaned against a tree with the rain cover on.

[Suckerfish]

I hiked from Springer to Levelland mountain back in July.

Pack light, I mean get that pack as light as humanly possible. Split up the gear. I would go without a tent if you can. That time of year in georgia the shelters will not be crowded. If you have a tent under 4lbs then take it however you could get by witout one going from shelter to shelter.

Take pain medication, tylonal PM, have a decent medical kit for blisters, stings, poison ivy and overall aches and pain. I packed asperin and tylonal pm and those were the best thing I packed.

Also pack toilet paper and handy wipes

The pain you're going to experience is unlike anything you have experienced unless you have hiked this section or any 38-40 mile section of trail before.

Just hike your own pace, do not expect to hike 10-14 miles right out of the gate. I would suggest hiking 4-8 mile days and enjoy it.

I hiked 10 my first day, 9, then 12 and it nearly beat me to oblivion, and I only had 27 lbs packed with food and 2L's of water.

I packed a tent and a hammock, the hammock is a must have on the trail in my opinion, during the day when you take a break it is there and it is so comfortable, words cant describe...

Hike early in the morning, make cold breakfasts, do not waste time cooking hot breakfasts. Pack up hike out and eat breakfast while hiking or stop a mile or two in for breakfast.

hang your food, tons of bears right now all over the AT in georgia, or keep your food in your tent or next to you when sleeping in shelter. I hang mine if anything for mental stress reduction.

[Suckerfish]

Thanks muddy! I'll look into it!

You can use the pct method for hanging your pack as well as hanging food. Google pct hanging method and watch some vids on it. Hawk mtn shelter has a hanging system in place.

I would recomend buying the Georgia AT hiking guide, very useful information regarding shelters and water sources. I believe you buy the Georgia and NC section together, the map is very useful for typography and water sources.

It will be one long green tunnel too, don't get to excited when you reach a summit only to see trees all around you. Your first real summit will be springer, then 22 miles later at big cedar, then 8 miles rougly on Blood.

You will encounter a bear at some point on your hike, trust me...

[max patch]

You will encounter a bear at some point on your hike, trust me...

This time of year? Maybe. Maybe not.

[Suckerfish]

This time of year? Maybe. Maybe not.

LOL, true, keep in mind I just encountered 3 bears and a cub this past weekend and 2 bears during that hike back in july.

Hopefully they will not encounter any.

Winton Porter's book is a must read too, Pirate is the homeless looking guy hanging out at the store, very knowlegable and friendly. Don't let his appearance fool you, he is a legend.

[DavidNH]

Definitely bring trekking poles. They help in so many ways. While it is important to keep pack weight down.. don't obsess over it like so many white blazers do. if your total pack weight including food and water for the 3-4 days from Springer to Neel's is under 40 pounds you are absolutely fine!

While the hike can certainly be done in three days.. I'd recommend taking 4 and allowing for the possibility of five. Why? because backpacking isn't a race and you are out there to have fun. Allow time to chill by a stream, enjoy a view or simply chat with your fellow hikers!


David

DavidNH

[Country Roads]

When at a water source, pull out your guidebook pages and be sure of where your next water source is, that way you will have enough water. Late in the day, project where you might be to spend the night and be sure to have enough water for the evening and to get you to the next source. I know the water sources in this section are not that far apart, but when it is hot you will drink more and being thirsty and dehydrated in not fun. Water is heavy, yes, but it is vital for getting up the trail.

[Weekender]

Know the water sources and be sure that they are running. Some are dry.
Bring trekking poles. Real hikers really use them!
Toothpaste is a good treatment for stings.
A lot of the shelters have camp sites as well. I was at Gooch Gap this weekend and it was really nice. I put up a tent at the campsite but used the picnic table, excellent water source and privy.
Shuttling is usually done by walking toward your car, but I'm only saying that because it was a revelation to me the first time I used a shuttle. The concept works well though. No waiting around or timing.

[Jeremy Peyton]

I'm digging all the great advice, what about gps? Is it recommended or needed?

[daddytwosticks]

GPS is not needed. I try to avoid electronics on the trail but have been known to carry a cell phone.

[Jeremy Peyton]

Im guessing the trail is very well marked. We have a few more gear items to secure but all and all we are pretty ready for this our first trip to the AT,looks like we will try and finish GA in December.

[Suckerfish]

Im guessing the trail is very well marked. We have a few more gear items to secure but all and all we are pretty ready for this our first trip to the AT,looks like we will try and finish GA in December.

I have heard of a few people getting lost and read about the guy in Bryson's book and I have no idea how anyone could get lost on the AT. It is the most well marked maintained trail I have ever been on. Anywhere there is a bit of confusion there are white blazes marked showing the way. There are signs at most trails however sometimes there will not be any. Just as a rule remember this...

White Blaze=AT
Blue Blaze= Side trail or Shelter

I seriously don't know how anyone can get lost on the AT, at least the section in Ga anyway.

[Old Hiker]

I have heard of a few people getting lost and read about the guy in Bryson's book and I have no idea how anyone could get lost on the AT. It is the most well marked maintained trail I have ever been on. Anywhere there is a bit of confusion there are white blazes marked showing the way. There are signs at most trails however sometimes there will not be any. Just as a rule remember this...

White Blaze=AT
Blue Blaze= Side trail or Shelter

I seriously don't know how anyone can get lost on the AT, at least the section in Ga anyway.

The AT past Damascus pretty well marked and easy to see if not covered by snow or leaves. The only people I saw who were "lost" had NO clue about the blazes to begin with! ("Oh, that's what those paint marks are????") I will admit to getting "lost" going DOWN Blood Mt towards Neels Gap. We were looking at the views and not at the blazes and didn't turn on an open rock face. Backtracked 100 yards or so and regained the Trail. No big hu-hu. Hard to get lost.