Day 3 (2/20/12) - Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Shelter, GA

Day 2 (2/19/12) - Springer Mountain,GA to Hawk Mountain Shelter, GA

Ed, packing up camp in the rain.

 Brett's gear, taking a break in a dry shelter.

 Wet Brett.

 Ed in the shelter.

 Ed filling up at a water source.

Day 1 (2/18/12) - Amicalola Falls, GA

A few photos from Brett's camera on Day 1 at Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia.

Signing the A.T. Thru-Hiker register at the visitor center. They indicate their names (first and last names as well as a trail name, if they have one), address, starting point, final destination, and pack weight. Brett and Ed were the 38th and 39th thru-hikers to register.

I'm carrying how many pounds on my back? Forty-five!

Photo op in the gateway just outside the visitor center.

Starting to get emotional beginning this huge undertaking.

I love the quote at the bottom of this plaque by Harold Allen.

The 8.5-mile approach trail is a blue blaze--not part of the official Appalachian Trail.

That's a lot of stairs to get to the top of the falls.

A beautiful view, cool breeze (pretty strong, as you can see from my hair), and the sound of the rushing falls makes the difficult climb worth it.

A beautiful spring flower Brett captured along the approach trail, after the kids and wives headed back down to the visitor's center.

Another time to get emotional: reaching the top of Springer Mountain, the historic plaque and the first white blaze. It has officially begun.

Two white blazes leading from the starting plaque on the rock to the trail through the woods.

The first tree marked with the white blaze.

Side trails, including those leading to shelters, are marked with the blue blaze.

Brett and Ed did not stay at this shelter, but continued on to the parking lot 0.9 mile down the trail. We drove their packs up the mountain to the parking lot, watched them set up camp as it started to rain, and said a quick and tearful good-bye.

To see the update from Amicalola Falls, go here.

Day 1 (2/18/12 - 2/19/12) - Amicalola Falls, GA (Becca's Photos)

These photos were taken the weekend that Brett started hiking the Appalachaian Trail, at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia, Saturday, February 18, 2012. (We took a lot more photos from Brett's camera, including a family photo with the matching T-shirts. I'll share them when I can.)

The visitor center at the State Park was cool. I wish I had spent more time taking a look at the exhibits with my boys. Both of them managed to get a supervised close-up with some wildlife. Here is Ryan and the owl, and Todd with the snake.

 

The biggest hit at the visitor's center for the kids was the swingset. They swung for a loooong time, occasionally making me nervous with a few jumps.

This is what it was all about for Brett. He has looked at a photo of this gateway to the Appalachian Trail for over a year. Now he sees it in person. Time to fulfill his dream.

Brett and Ed, hiking buddies ready for the journey.

The family took the approach trail with the guys up to the top of the falls. They guys left their backpacks behind. We delivered them later than night.

 

This photo doesn't do the waterfall justice. It was loud and cool and beautiful.

Don't ask me what look Ryan was going for.

 

Taking a break for a photo on the tiring hike up the stairs.

 

We made it up and down. Good luck, Dads.

First night setting up camp on the trail. Rain's-a-comin'.

The fire kept the boys occupied while the Dad's set up their tents.
Two little tents in the big forest.

 

Kids a little happier in the morning after seeing the men off.

Having donuts for lunch with good friends helps.

To see the update from Amicalola Falls, go here.