Update!

Hello! It's been a while I know but it's quite difficult to update a blog in the middle of the woods, hopefully once I get settled into a routine I'll be a bit more organised. One disappointing thing is unfortunately I can't seem to put photos on this blog so I will just remind you I'm on Twitter @RichCampion1 or on Facebook at Thru Hiker where I shall continue to post the latest photos and anecdotes. Please follow me there.

Okay so last Thursday I started the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls and it was an eye opening introduction starting with over 700 steps up the falls. Ended up camping at Black Gap Shelter 7.3 miles in. Was in bed at a very early hour exhausted and wondering what I had let myself in for! 

Over the next few days it was a case of finding my feet, learning new things about life on the Trail. Have to admit didn't have much of an appetite to start with which was probably why I felt so lacking in energy. I plodded along though ticking off the miles slowly but surely, meeting lots of interesting people along the way and picked up my trail name. I am no longer known as Rich, I am now '007'!! Hilarious I know but hey I didn't choose it myself and got to admit I'm pretty happy with it! I'm constantly told it's a cool name and apparently my reputation precedes me. Over the last week, countless times I've had people come up to me and ask ' are you 007? I heard some people talking about you!' or 'you're 007, cool, what a great trail name, heard all about you'. Apparently the fact I'm from England and am hiking the trail makes me a bit of a celebrity! Brilliant!

After experiencing my first real Trail Magic on Sunday lunchtime at Gooch Gap (a lovely warm soup, Oreos and coffee) I arrived at Woody Gap in awful weather, I couldn't see 10 yards in front of me due to fog and rain and wondered whether I should push on or stay. Then a couple I started talking to said they were setting up more Trail Magic in about an hour so my decision was made, set up hammock and enjoy more free food. There weren't many of us staying there but we were treated to more soup, fruit, chicken wraps, hot tea and homemade energy biscuits all served from this massive double decker bus which was originally made to follow The Grateful Dead on tour! Much conversation was had and finally retired to my spot at about 11pm. Then, at 3am disaster struck!! I awoke to find myself lying in a pool of water at the bottom of my hammock, it was pouring down and I was freezing. The rain had come down the tree, down my ropes and pooled underneath me, soaking my hammock, sleeping bag and all the clothes I was wearing. I had to jump out and take my dry stuff down to where the bus was parked and completely change my clothing in a pitch black restroom. I couldn't believe it! I spent the next 5 hours walking round the car park trying to keep warm whilst waiting for daylight feeling very sorry for myself! At that point I was seriously considering packing it all in. When day finally did break the rain had stopped and the wind picked up and incredibly my stuff started to dry. By lunchtime I was ready to start moving and with the sun shining I did a very short day to Lances Creek, it was a nice short hike and I found a lovely spot to try my hammock again, got my bio lite cooker on the go, had some instant mash, sorted the water for the next day and I really felt I'd turned a corner. What had started out as a disaster had eventually turned into a good day.

The next day was a tough days hiking up and down Blood Mountain, it was particularly hot after a dry but cold night at Lances and coming down the other side of Blood was gruelling, over 1000 metre descent in less than 2 miles. On more than one occasion I didn't see a White Blaze for so long that I began to think I'd lost the trail but finally reached the bottom and the sanctity of Neels Gap. What a treat, a bunk in the Hikers hostel, a pizza, a cold drink, restock of supplies and then even more Trail Magic (another free meal, even after a whole pizza!) Good times!

The next day, buoyed by the previous evenings bonus, I managed my best day mileage wise yet; 11.5 miles from Neels to Low Gap shelter. I felt quite proud of myself and met up with some really nice people; Cheddar, Wild Horse, Shepherd, Mojo (who couldn't pass up the opportunity of a photo with '007') and set up camp waiting for the storm which everyone seemed to be talking about to arrive. The night passed without incident but the threat of the storm was still in the air in the morning and after a lot of indecision a few of us moved into the shelter itself and decided not to move that day. The rain eventually came at about midday and although the saying goes 'no rain, no pain, no Maine' I felt the right decision had been made on this occasion. It's still early days and there's  a long way to go. A few stragglers made it in throughout the day, some of them absolutely drenched including Scout who'd done 21 miles in the rain. Respect to that! It was a long day waiting around but during a small gap in the weather we had a campfire going and it was a pleasant end to the day. The shelter was only supposed to sleep 7 but we squeezed 11 in and sure enough the rain did return with some spectacular lightning. It wasn't the most comfortable of nights and shelters maybe avoided in the future but we'll see.

And so to today! Set off early in the gloom and it was very humid (hard going uphill) but made it to Unicoi gap by 2pm which was good going (9.6 miles). However, in my haste to get to the bottom I slipped on a wet rock and took my first serious fall, pack hanging over the edge of the ridge trail Wild Horse managed to pull me back up in between nearly pissing herself laughing! Luckily no serious injury and I can see how funny I must have looked! Within 5 minutes of reaching the parking lot myself, Wild Horse (and her dog Milo) Cheddar, Scout and Maniac were in the back of a pick up hurtling our way to Hiawasee for this weekends Hiker Bash at the Budget motel. That's the first time I've experienced such a ride and great fun it was too! 

I've treated myself to a room at the motel (bed, shower and laundry what a treat) sharing with Cheddar and Scout and more familiar faces met up tonight including a 70 year old called Rock Steady who deserves a mention, he may not be the fastest but he plods along and finally catches up every day. What a great guy. There are so many different ages hiking the trail and it really is inspiring to meet so many great people.

Staying here Saturday night aswell as there's live music and more free food and beer. Getting back on Trail Sunday morning and seriously going to try and get some miles done.

One thing that has slightly changed is that although this is called from Grantham to Maine, I'm not going to kill myself or beat myself up in trying to get to Maine by the end of September. This first week or so has taught me that it's not just about the final destination, the journey itself is the destination. Yes, I still do aim to complete but it won't be the end of the world if I don't. The thing is to take each day as it comes but most importantly to enjoy it, which I am starting to do now. 

Thanks for reading and goodnight from Georgia.

007!