2018 AT – Day Eight – Georgia on My Mind

Wednesday, 6 June

Destination: Muskrat Creek Shelter	Today’s Miles: 11.8
Start Location: Dicks Creek Gap	Trip Miles: 89.6

After breakfast at Top of Georgia Hostel, the eight o’clock shuttle took Angie, Therese and myself the half mile uphill to the trail. Justin (EVO) and the husband and wife were taking the nine o’clock shuttle. My pack weighed twenty eight pounds with three days food and water. Not bad but I would not mind shedding another pound or two.

The morning was not too difficult. I only passed a few solo southbounders. After lunch, I crossed into North Carolina leaving Georgia behind after 77.9 AT miles plus the 8.8 Approach Trail. The welcome to North Carolina was a 900 foot climb that has been the steepest so far.

The afternoon was busier on the trail. I passed an older man, Jungle Jim, on his way to the same shelter. I met a maintenance crew of about a dozen men and women about two miles before the shelter. I thanked each one for their hard work. It is their volunteer effort that makes hiking possible.

There is quite the crowd here tonight. There were two men with a son when I came in. Jungle Jim showed up and Angie and Theresa just came in. Two other ladies came in also. Three young guys stopped but decided to head to the NC/GA border to camp. The picnic table under the shelter has been the social hub. Everyone has discussed their plans for tomorrow. It is supposed to get cool tonight. We are camping at 4,700 feet.