Prior to my drive to Franklin this week, I'd tried to hire my "regular" shuttle driver (Ron) to give me a ride from Dick's Creek Gap in Georgia to Deep Creek Gap (off of USFS-71) in North Carolina. Unfortunately, Ron was unavailable - he recommended a driver named Beverly, who agreed to give me the ride I wanted. I then requested leave from my company and planned (i.e., packed a full backpack) for a possible overnight stay on the AT. Late last night, Beverly asked if she could pick me up later than our planned rendezvous (0900) and then drive to Winding Stair Gap to pick up someone else. I respectfully declined this offer and asked if she could meet an hour earlier (she agreed). As a result, I woke up at 0615 this morning, packed the car and checked out of the hotel - I didn't want to be late. Stopped to get breakfast at McDonalds in Franklin (0700) and then drove (via US-441) to Clayton and then US-76 to Dick's Creek Gap (arrived at 0750). Beverly was there a little early and we quickly departed, driving west on US-76 (via Hiawassee) before heading north into North Carolina. She was a really scary driver! During most of the drive, we went off the side of the road a few times but she never slowed down at all. She kept mentioning her bad eyesight and had a lot of really negative things to say about the local area. On top of the unpleasant nature of the ride, though, she decided to stop for gas before we reached the trailhead - this further delayed us. Still, I was able to rationalize the whole thing because the shuttle ride was almost a requirement due to the inaccessibility of the middle of the giant “mirrored S” shaped AT section. Plus, the route was going to be almost 16 miles - a lot of work without a shuttle. I decided I really couldn't complain about getting the help - I tried to be nice and keep my mind off the steep edge of the Forest Service Road and we made it safely. I got started on my hike at 0900, carrying a backpack because I wasn’t sure I could finish in one day. The weather was awesome - temps started in mid 40s, warmed up to 70 and there were almost no clouds. I immediately climbed a hill that gave me great views of the 5.5K’ Standing Indian peak (I still have to climb it). From there, my stomach butterflies settled down (I'd had those all morning) and I got to work. I'd initially chose SOBO because it was mostly a descent - there were a few challenging climbs but the terrain map showed that I was generally going to be walking downhill. This turned out to be true! The AT flirted with the NC/GA almost all day and I could see the descending peaks on their way down towards the Hiawassee for most of the time. The impact of the obvious (and visible) terrain gradient was expressed by the 18 people I passed on their way north (family of six, four solo Flip-Floppers, three backpacking couples and two guys my age who were shuttling in the opposite direction) - they made comments like “is the climb almost done?” This confirmed I’d made the correct decision on direction. I could imagine that many Thru hiker dreams have been crushed during the climb... My pedometer fouled up somehow so my expectations of when I would hit specific landmarks was wrong (by almost two miles at the end) all day. This had a net positive effect - I thought I had farther to go than I actually did and got a happy thrill each time I passed one of the gaps (indicated with a sign) or shelters. I was treated to spectacular views on both sides of the narrow ridge I followed all day - I didn’t bother to take blue-blazed side trails because I already had it so good! Anticipation was high on reaching the border (so I could log the last 8.5 miles of Georgia). Was quite pleased, therefore, when I got to Bly Gap (near border crossing sign) and realized I was going to finish almost an hour earlier than I’d planned. My spirits were raised for most of the second half of the hike (although some of the climbs brought me right down to earth as I struggled uphill). I passed two sets of older couples (same direction, in the last three miles) who had set out from US-76, where I was parked, to see the views (they were headed back). I managed to get a cell signal around this point and realized (I checked a few times) that the last part of my AT section was a “C” shape - I remained within two miles of my car as I hiked more than two miles (arcing around the gap on the ridge). Ran out of water at around this point - that elevated concerns a bit... However, I was also treated to a cooling breeze - it dried off my sweaty clothes and cooled me down. I could hear the traffic on the highway for the last hour but I couldn’t see the road until I was right on top of it - again, the surprise was a great bonus. Was finished just after 1600, meaning I’d walked nearly 16 miles (retread on 0.4 I did back in 2014) in about 7 hours. In the end, the backpack wasn’t needed but it had given me peace of mind throughout the day. A bit tired, a little sore but overall elated at finishing this section. The whole day was kind of amazing to comprehend: I'd started the day in North Carolina (Franklin), drove south into Georgia (Dick’s Creek Gap on Towns County line) to meet my shuttle, rode with Beverly back into North Carolina (Deep Creek Gap on USFS-71), hiked the AT back into Georgia and then drove back to North Carolina for the night - whew! End result: I finished the AT in Georgia! I was hungry too - after getting changed and settled in my car, I ate the rest of my Subway sub. I backtracked to Franklin and checked into the Hilltop Inn again (1715). Later in the evening, I ate dinner (snacks), rested, read, relaxed in my room. After texting the girls to give them another heads up about possible overnights on the trail, I went to bed (2230). Weather is supposed to be good for the next few days - hope to make the most of that! AT Today = 15.4 miles / G.T. AT = 1743.8 miles
