Day 3

Greetings!

I'm writing at 5am on Feb. 23, though I don't have service so it may be a while before this is actually posted. When the sun rises in about an hour we will be starting our third day on the trail. Our first day was spent climbing Amicalola falls, and then hiking to about 1.5 miles short of Springer. Yesterday we made it about 10 miles to Hawk Mountain shelter, where we spent the night.

We are not alone. Five people left before us on the 21st, and 59 have left before us as of the whole year.  We're sharing this shelter with about 10 others.  It's the most full we've certainly ever seen a shelter, and it sounds like quite the exotic variety of snores.

The weather is quite good for hiking. It is cool enough that we don't sweat a ton while walking but not enough to be really cold. We've managed both nights with out  tents and just my bag has been plenty. There is a bit of ice though.  Day one the hazard was in the trees. As it melted large chunks would fall and occasionally hit us in the head.  Yesterday the hazard was on the ground.  As the snow on the trail was walked on it had become compacted into a sheet of ice. I don't think tonight spent much time below freezing though so hopefully that should be cleared up.  Who knows what today's challenge will be.

Well that's that. I'll post this as soon as I expect to have service,  as well as another 30 or so pictures.