Springer to Neels Gap…

This past weekend a couple of buddies and I packed up and headed to Springer Mtn, the southern terminus on the Appalachian Trail. Our plan was to take a nice casual 3.5 days and finish up at Neels Gap! This is a bit of a sentimental hike for myself since it was the very first backpacking trip that my wife and I embarked upon, so I was really anticipating it. As well, for my buddy Andrew (Blister), this was his very first backpacking trip and I thought it would be cool for him to do the first 30 mile section of the AT. My other buddy George (chode) has some past backpacking experience but he was looking forward to this new adventure…

So, this past Saturday morning (1/14/12) we ate breakfast in the small town of Blairsville, GA and then headed to Byron Reece parking area, just down the road from Neels Gap. From here Wes Wissen (706-747-2671) shuttled us to the parking area at Springer Mtn.

Once we arrived here, we loaded up and hiked up to the summit of Springer Mtn, took some opportunities to take a few photos and enjoy the view. We also went down to the shelter on top of Springer before beginning our hike… There were only patches of ice that were along the trail, but unfortunately nothing worth using my Microspikes for. The temperatures were in the mid teens and the wind was blowing… it made for a cool start…

As we went along, the day warmed. The first few miles of the trail teased us with its gentle rises and wide trails. The few water crossings we encountered offered thoughts of a gentle hike…but I knew better!

As the miles slipped away under our boots, the trail quickly grew a bit more fierce. The ascents grew steeper, and ever longer…and the descents were filled with rocks and roots that made every effort to trip us up…but we endured…and we smiled… (Although, it was a bit easier to smile on the tops of the mountain…)

At the end of the day we came to our destination, Hawk Mtn Shelter. When we arrived there were a few high school students in the shelter, but that was ok because we had plans to use our tents… There were quite a few flat spots around the shelter that were suitable for camping. We chose a site directly behind the shelter and made camp. After settling in we gathered fire wood, made our dinner and then a fire. Then we sat back, relaxed, enjoyed each others company and gazed up into the star-filled sky…

The next morning we slept in a little since we had a short day, not to mention that the temperature was quite cold again (estimated in the mid teens again). Once we ate breakfast and packed up we began our hike again.

The 2nd day was much the same as the first, minus the gentle rolling slopes that the first few miles offered. This day had more than a few up’s and down’s, and they were anything but gentle! Coming out of Hightower Gap, summiting Sassafras and even Justus Mtn offered quite a challenge. However, despite the deep breaths and slow pace, we rose up to these challenges and defeated them…and with smiles…

We arrived to Gooch Mtn shelter a little later than we had anticipated, but was happy to find it empty. However, we still decided to pitch our tents, but was happy to take advantage of the picnic table and the bench/table across the front of the shelter. And of course the fire ring…

The next morning we broke camp a little earlier. This day we had 11.9 miles to cover and despite the previous day’s warmer temperatures, on this day, the temperatures had again fallen pretty low. However, we still did our routine…breakfast, pack and hike on out.

We anticipated a fairly easy day up to Woody’s Gap and decided to take our lunch at Dan Gap, which was just over the biggest climb of the day, Cedar Mtn. Once we got near Dan Gap we met some other hikers that informed us that the water at Woods Hole Shelter was rumored to be sparse, which was our destination for the night. So, we decided to refill our water at Jarrard Gap, which was about 1.3 miles away from Woods Hole Shelter.

Along the way we decided to refill before Jarrard’s Gap due to the long hike off the trail to get the water, not to mention that the day was now growing later. So, we stopped and refilled at a small puddle that stretched across the trail…it was interesting, but it was water…

When we arrived at Woods Hole Shelter the sun was setting. It was beautiful, but it was also time to get busy. We quickly whipped up some warm water for dinner, pitched our tents and stoked a fire. Then, as we were sitting there a deer curiously approached, easily within a rocks throw, or actually a toss. After a bit I decided to snap a picture but couldn’t get close enough to get anything but a dark picture…

Before heading off we had decided to rise early and break camp to beat the oncoming precipitation. So, the next morning we woke up around 5:15 am. I had some coffee and then packed up. Around 7 am I decided to head on up to the shelter at Blood Mtn. By the time I got to the summit I was engulfed in a cold dreary cloud. The wind was blowing and rain was falling, but it was great!

I holed up in the shelter and awaited my buddies arrival. Once they got there we began making our way down towards Neels Gap, to the finish…

The last time I was on Blood Mtn was as beautiful as one could ask. My wife and I had stayed the last night of our hike on the tippy-top of Blood. The sky was as clear as could be and we had wonderful views, both during the day and at night. This time was not the same.

We made our way slowly down. The rock face was wet and the wind was blowing with occasional small gust, however, we successfully made it off the mountain. Once we came to where the Byron Reece trail intersected with the AT, my buddies took this trail while I continued down the AT. They hiked back to the truck and then drove to Mountain Crossings.

And the rest is history…

Click here for my pictures.

Thanks for reading!

~Stick~