Photos

Blue Mountain, GA

Last night I got Some much needed rest with a warm bed at the Mountain Crossing hostel in Neels Gap, GA. After a solid 9 hours of sleep I hit the trail at about 8 am. My pack is a bit heavier now because I picked up a new sleeping pad jn Neels Gap. I started the hike with a 7 foot roll of insulated bubble wrap and a foam torso pad, but my first night of subfreezing temps made me realize that that setup was not going to keep me warm. I hiked 18 miles today and got in to the shelter, which I'm sharing with about 6 other hikers, by 3 pm. I can feel my fitness growing stronger already, and I think I'll be able to keep a good pace. Tomorrow it's another 18 miles to Dickson Creek Gap and another warm night in a hostel!

Neels Gap, GA

Today I made it to Neels Gap, GA ad am staying at the Mountain Outfitters hostel here. I left Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the trail, yesterday and hiked 15 miles to the Gooch Mnt shelter, where I ended up bunking with about ten other hikers. I decided to stay in the shelter instead of camping because the temperature was supposed to be below freezing, and the shelter would provide better protection from the wind. I wasn't counting on snoring though, and I didn't get much sleep with four epic snorers in the shelter with me. Today the weather was pretty but cold, and I had to stay pretty bundled up for most of the hike. I got in to Neels Gap at around 2pm after summiting Blood Mountain, where I could see the Atlanta skyline on the horizon. Tomorrow will hopefully be my first twenty mile day!

Springer!

The trail begins!!

Approach Trail!

Headed to the trail!

After a last minute interview at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, I am headed to the trailhead in Amicalola Falls State Park with my brother to kick off my 2,181 mile journey!!!! It's hard to believe that the day is finally here, after so many months of preparation. I am super excited to get started! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this project so far; the outpouring of generosity has exceeded my greatest hopes. The project has raised almost $20,000 so far, and I hope will continue to attract support as I head northwards. Stay tuned for more updates and photos where ever cell service permits!

$20,000!!!

We've raised almost $20,000 so far!! Thank you so much to everyone who has made a contribution! Hopefully the support will keep rolling in as I head into the woods in a little less than a week! Stay tuned for photographs and journal entries from the trail.

Training hike through the Austin Greenbelt