Sleeping in the woods

As you may gather from the title, I've made it to the approach trail and have set up in the shelter alongside 3 other weary souls; Chris, Bug and Jet. Feels a bit strange after the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, I'm now sat at a picnic table with only the sound of the falls to distract me. Quite a different story than at 9.30 this morning when as I arrived back at the airport to get the train and there was huge panic due to a suspect package and the whole place was evacuated! Was nothing in the end but I understand the better to be safe than sorry attitude after what happened in Brussels, everyone is on high alert.

Today has been a success overall, sorted a sim for my phone, did a food shop (needs improvement) and spent $400 in the REI store, hopefully that's it equipment wise, bloody wants to be, my pack is very heavy!! I also phoned many shuttlers for a lift but none were available and then I had my first bit of 'trail magic'. Just as I was about to give up and find a hotel for the night one of the employees offered to drive me. Couldn't believe it, thanks Ashley, you lived up to the reputation of the kindness in the south!

Ok just looked up and realised its dark so I'd best find my way back to the shelter. Might be the last update for a few days as Trailing truly begins tomorrow. 

Cheers.

In Atlanta

It's been a long day, I'm checked into my not so salubrious hotel and its 20.30 local time which means it's half past midnight to me (and to you!) The flight was just over 9 hours and as my brother (hello Andy) correctly informed me the route takes you up to Canada and all down the East coast so that meant I've already travelled the length of the AT! I was looking out the window and could see what was in store, bearing in mind it took about an hour by plane it's going to be a long haul, hopefully enjoyable but long and arduous!!

Slight change of plan for tomorrow (today), I've decided to take the Amtrac from the airport to a place called Marta where there's an REI store and an Apple shop so I can get supplies and a SIM card. It's North of the city and therefore on the way to Amicalola Falls so hopefully I can arrange some transport from there and spend tomorrow night in a shelter for the first time. If the temperature is like tonight should be a pleasant introduction to Trail life.

Thanks for all the comments, sorry I can't reply to them all but rest assured I'm reading them and loving all the support. Will keep updating when I've got wifi but for quick updates check out Twitter and Facebook (Thru Hiker). Once again thanks for reading and will update soon. Cheers 

Here It Is

Hi everyone, thanks for your patience; I know there are a few of you out there eager to follow my progress on the Appalachian Trail 2016 and I appreciate that very much.... so here it is!

Its Saturday evening and there are only two full days until I fly to Atlanta and the adventure  truly begins.

This first post is rather experimental, I'll go into more detail of previous preparations at a later date. My aim today is to a) see if this works and b) give you an idea of my early schedule. I plan on posting many photos once I get going, hopefully you wont get bored of trees!

Okay so I fly from Heathrow on Tuesday 22 March at 12.30 and arrive in Atlanta, Georgia at 1815, approximately a 10 hour flight. Upon arrival im booked into a hotel close to the airport for hopefully a good nights sleep, however I fear not if the last couple of weeks have been anything to go by. On Wednesday 23 I plan to buy a sim card for my phone, stock up on the bits of kit I still need, do my first Trail Food shop and organise some transport to Amicalola Falls (the southern hub of the AT). This will all go exactly to plan (!?) and on Thursday 23 I plan to hike the 8.8 mile approach trail before spending my first night outdoors ready to begin chipping away at the 2,189.1 miles on Friday 24.

As I alluded to earlier I have certainly been suffering from pre trail nerves the last week or so, the days have flown by since I became unemployed but most of the nights have been virtually sleepless. A good friend told me that if you are having trouble sleeping then a week camping in the forest will sort you out and regulate it so lets hope 6 months does the trick!

Short and sweet I know but thats it for now, dont want to burn myself out too quickly.

Thanks for reading, will be back soon