Jeff's Video of the Start of the AT

 I don't have any videos from Jeff  as he is one day six of his journey along the AT Trail - or photos even, but Jeff did make a stunning video of  his prep trip - over 40 miles in 4 days on the Appalachian Trail which he took in October 2011  to test his gear, starting from Amicalola Falls in Dawson, Georgia.  He also has a blog on Trail Journals of his preparation hikes, some of which were 80 miles long during the fall.  I'm hoping he'll let me post some of his email blogs to this site for him when he can't get to a computer where he can download his videos and photos.

This is what he wrote about the first couple days on that section hike in 2011
Hello, I'm Jeff, aka Loner. Living in upstate SC. Started hiking last summer to lose weight and have went from a plump 260 down to 200! Mostly hiking, skateboarding, and changing my diet. Got the hiking bug big time and did the Foothills trail thru (80 miles) this past July. Been learning about the AT, watching videos, reading books and getting my gear together. Lots of practice hikes, camping, and testing. Going as light as I can and my pack weight is around 11 lbs(-water/food). 15lbs total everything. Just did the first 40 miles of the AT starting in Amicalola and had a great time. Can't wait to start in 2012 and hope to meet everyone! I hope to post a video blog but will also talk about gear, safety, etc from the trail.

 10/17/2012

Destination: 3 miles up
Starting Location: Amicalola State Park
Today's Miles: 4.00
Trip Miles: 4.00

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Hello all!

Just a quick trip report on my first section hike on the AT!

Arrived Monday night and the Amicalola Falls visitor center was closed so signed in at the after-hours board. The steps on the approach trail really get your attention! Great views of the falls and mountains with the fall colors. Very excited to be there.

Only made about 3 miles the first night and set up camp with my GT Nano Hammock and WL Tadpole tarp. Awesome weather in the 50s but coyotes howling all night kept waking me up!

On Tue had a great hike and was surprised to walk up to the plaque so soon. Hung out awhile and talked to the others there. The weather rolled in around dark and hung on the side of a hill in Horse Gap by a road used by huge Army trucks. Rained off and on all night and only had a few drips. Need to seam seal a few more spots but was happy with the tarp and d-rings.

Packed up Wed in the windy rain and hiked to Gooch shelter for lunch. The rain then stopped but still cold! Got hazed a little by 6 sobo thru hikers but that was fine. They were making time! Camped at Miller Gap and got to 39f but was toasty in my WM Summerlite and WL down 3/4 UQ.

Thur morn hiked to Wood's Hole shelter for lunch and to get out of the freezing wind! Could not believe how far off the trail it was. Blood Mnt had a good dusting of snow and was very fun to see but some other hikers were bummed out. Very cold but really enjoyed the hike. Was excited to get to Neels gap and just hang out for lunch and look around. Best $3.50 hot shower I've ever had and the bunk house was set-up nice. Very clean. I've read about it and seen it in the '2000 Miles to Maine' dvd. Everyone there was really nice too.

It was only 2pm so did not want to quit hiking so got Ron the shuttle guy to take me back to the top of Springer. The shuttle guy that helped me is named Ron Hulbert. He used to run one of the hiker hotels in the area. He shuttles hikers anywhere on the trail from the start to the NOC or anywhere in between. Very helpfull and had no prob stopping for food or whatever and took the pic of me at the Springer sign. His number is (707)-745-1596 if you need a back-up.
  This time I had a camera and got some pics. Hiked back to Black Gap shelter and camped up the trail. Only got down to 39f this time and the sun woke me up in the am.

10/18/2011
 

Destination: Horse Gap
Starting Location: 3 miles up
Today's Miles: 11.00
Trip Miles: 15.00

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On Tue had a great hike and was surprised to walk up to the plaque so soon. Hung out awhile and talked to the others there. The weather rolled in around dark and hung on the side of a hill in Horse Gap by a road used by huge Army trucks. Rained off and on all night and only had a few drips. Need to seam seal a few more spots but was happy with the tarp and d-rings.

Loner  10/19/2012  Destination: Miller Gap Starting Location: Today's Miles: 16.00 Trip Miles: 31.00   Packed up Wed in the windy rain and hiked to Gooch shelter for lunch. The rain then stopped but still cold! Got hazed a little by 6 sobo thru hikers but that was fine. They were making time! Camped at Miller Gap and got to 36f but was toasty in my WM Summerlite and WL down 3/4 UQ. Loner                                                                                                                      10/20/2012 Destination: Neels Gap Starting Location: Miller Gap Today's Miles: 11.00 Trip Miles: 42.00 Thur morn hiked to Wood's Hole shelter for lunch and to get out of the freezing wind! Could not believe how far off the trail it was. Blood Mnt had a good dusting of snow and was very fun to see but some other hikers were bummed out. Very cold but really enjoyed the hike. Was excited to get to Neels Gap and just hang out for lunch and look around. Best $3.50 hot shower I've ever had and the bunk house was set-up nice. Very clean. I've read about it and seen it in the '2000 Miles to Maine' dvd. Everyone there was really nice too. It was only 2pm so did not want to quit hiking so got Ron the shuttle guy to take me back to the top of Springer. This time I had a camera and got some pics. Hiked back to Black Gap shelter and camped up the trail. Only got down to 39f this time and the sun woke me up in the am. Loner