Go Big or Go Home!

 I got back on trail solo on 31 March <3 I didn't take a picture of Phil and Molly heading off because I knew I would cry about it. I had a mile or so to re-hike up to the cemetery and the Georgia Adventures Group trail magic - they were still there! I got a second "Elvis Sandwich" - Think grilled cheese but with peanut butter and banana inside and a warm welcome back

They were trying to get people to hang out for the night and keep the fire going - and offering the pavilion for a pretty massive storm coming through that night, but I definitely needed to put on more miles to feel plugged back in! Full of sugar we pressed on to the Hawk Mountain Shelter (AT Mile 7.4)

This has to be the busiest place I was for 90% of the trail; there were easily 30 tents set up, but we managed a few spots in the second floor of the shelter. The place was positively buzzing with energy. Some of the hikers were already in shape for 15 or 20 mile days (Legs).

One hiker who was ultralight had logged over 12,000 trail miles in his lifetime (Salty). He was a marine veteran carrying a 12 pound pack - an absolute anomaly to unseasoned hikers. He used solid state fuel, ate fairly plain ramen and was using a tarp and bivy setup to sleep. I don't actually know how the rest of his hike went, though, as he had already hiked on when others woke up in the morning and his tentsite appeared to have flooded. One hallmark of ultralight backpacking is that if things don't go right, you simply keep moving.

Another hiker couldn't figure out how to set up his tent because it was inside out, and others washed their cook pots directly in the stream after dinner. We were all clearly pretty green, but learning occurred throughout.

I tried out some homemade chicken soup with rice. It was always a winner in flavor town, but a bit of a booster on the after burners (whew, cabbage!).

We tucked in on the second bunk before the storm hit. There were some section hikers out with whisky who sat on the edge of the shelter for a while imbibing and enjoying the lightning show. I briefly debated whether a wooden structure like this was actually the safest place to be in the storm, but also did not want to be among the trees in the rain. 

Someone down shelter smoked a bowl and passed it among the other hikers on the bottom. I hung fairy lights for a bit while we settled and then cozied up under my quilt for the first real night of my "Solo" AT through hike. 

Not bad for never having backpacked before setting foot on the trail. At least I had camping experience!

+6