This was quite an experience to hike to Springer Mountain this weekend. It WAS VERY COLD. Not that I
wasn't prepared for the cold, but it's just too cold. Arriving Amicalola Falls State Park, it's already snowing.
As soon as I gained some elevation, I felt the breeze through my open collar. I zipped everything up and I was still
feeling very cold.
I didn't take a break for 4 hours until I reached Springer, simply because I need to keep myself warm. The wind
was so strong that I couldn't afford to stop and rest, or I would get too cold. It was a little reward when I got
to the top of Springer and saw the Appalachian Trail plaque.
I descended to the Shelter, and I started looking for water because I haven't had any water for 2 hours now after the
tube froze. I still hoped that I could pitch my tent and camp this cold night out. After checking out the campsites,
I found no choice but going back to the shelter, as the sites were too open for wind.
Can't believe it's snowing ...
I felt so cold when I was taking this picture.
I gotta get one of these.
Here we go. Appalachian Trail.
Thru this gate, you're officially on the Approach Trail
Approach Trail.
This is called a 180 turn.
Nice paint job, nah it's just snow.
Amicalola Falls flows into this valley of Chattahoochee Forest.
Me at top of the Falls
Snow is getting heavy before I started.
Poor little mushroom got frozen last night.
The trail marker is called a "Blaze".
Snow covered forest gave me a sense of being lost.
Someone gotta rag this backyard. It's getting a bit messy.
Couldn't believe there's so much snow.
It looked like a burnt forest.
Yes, I can finally get a "Wind" break. See the shelter.
Ouch! Got water supply line frozen.
Wow, I got the moment of blue sky.
Am I lost again ?
What's wrong with my boots?
Man, everything are frozen here.
Look at the snow, it sticks on the bottom. You can see how windy it is.
Top of Springer Mountain
It's cloudy, or we should see very far.
Appalachian Trail South Terminus
I was here ....
Look at the blue sky ....
Ran into a team of scouts, they took this picture for me.
Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.
Top of Springer Mountain, South Termius of Appalachian Trail Click to play video.
The first white blaze from the south.
Who's there ? My signature shadow
OK. I am going to the Shelter tonight.
Here is it !
Nicely built shelter!
I think I like this shelter.
I immediately cooked myself a warm meal, and I felt much better already. There were also a scout group staying at the same shelter.
This really reminded me of my younger days of being a scout. I had to say some of these young men were brave
and strong to face this cold night.
The entire night, the wind was howling as loud as a helicopter. I don't think anyone had much sleep last night until the wind
died down when the sun broke out.
Well, it's another day, a georgous day indeed. Blue sky ! It was still very windy and cold. I backtracked to
Spring Mountain and took a few pictures. I followed the trail back to the fork leading to Hike-Inn. From this
fork, it took me only 20 minutes to reach the Hike Inn (see link below), the true backcountry hike in lodge.
Half my water bladder is frozen, couldn't do much about it. It's just too cold.
Do it look like 1950s ?
Jan 14, 2006, it's full moon.
Used sleeping bags for sale, we have blue, black ....
Haven't seen these external frame backpack for a while.
Good morning! It's brand new day.
Wow, here is my coke can alcohol stove in action.
This was how cold it was, water was boiling, but the the ice was still on the lid.
Blue sky and sunny day!
Why didn't I had this weather yesterday !
My signature shadow in action!
I got back here again.
Remember the same tree.
AT Trail Logo
A brand new day.. Click to play video.
From Maine to Georgia.
Give them a few more inches of snow, it should be a nice terrain park.
Very strong sun ...
See, told you. When it isn't cloudy, you will see very far.
Still frozen ....
Don't understand how it was formed.
Tall trees and blue sky.
What's wrong with my hair?
... in peace ...
I am gonna take a look at the Hike Inn.
I guess I am not an employee.
Fire hose, where ?
Hike Inn, Len Foote Lodge
I just got a Mohawk haircut at this lodge, isn't it cool ?
Ha ha, I fixed it...
... in the bathhouse ...
3.9 miles to the Top of the Falls, and then another 1.2 miles to the parking lot.
Why didn't I see this yesterday?
Americans love signs, don't they
Rest stop at 1,9 miles trailmark.
This is one way to grow a tree.
Hemlock are still here ....
Huh, wonder why we need this sign ?
Last stretch of the Approach Trail on the way back
Haven't get used to these young forest.
Maine to Georgia, but I'm not from Maine though.
Yeah, whatever. Just take a picture.
Appalachian Trail in Georgia.
Remember this picture in the beginning ?
Hang on, it's almost there.
Amicalola Falls
Excuse me, can You take a picture for me please?
How about from here ?
What goes up must comes down !
Great, someone counted it already.
Is there any sharks underneath ?
It may look even better with this cross over bridge on the Falls.
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