Day 1 – Sun 2/18/18

Day 1 started down at the Amicalola State Park Visitors Center. This started the Approach Trail that Hiker BFF would hike up to Springer Mtn. I only took a picture at the iconic arch.

For me, Day 1 was the Springer Mtn parking area to the Springer Mtn Shelter where I set up camp and waited for Hiker BFF to come up the Approach Trail, so we could Summit Springer at the same time.

Originally, Hiker BFF’s parents were going to take me up to the Springer Mtn parking area, but it is a dirt road and Georgia was just hit hard with large amounts of rain causing flooding and muddy conditions. Since I didn’t want anything to happen to their car, I got a ride with Duffy @ Chief Duffy Shuttles (904) 562-0008 to the parking area.

Thankfully I decided to show up about an hour earlier to meet her because she flew up that Approach Trail like it was nothing!

We both summited Springer Mtn where a guy was waiting for his girlfriend and gave us some trail magic… Bud Heavy!

After celebrating, we went back down into camp and set up for the night. We ate dinner with Hannah, a Ridge Runner, and Yogi, another NOBO thru hiker.

This is where I got my trail name – Dragon! I got the name because I was the only person (out of guys and gals) able to start the fire after it had been raining and all the wood was soaking wet.

So, that pretty much sums up day one.

Thanks for joining me on Expedition Elizabeth!