Quoted By:
First time going on a camping trip on a trail, my bud and I went on the AT starting at Amicalola and going to Black Mountain shelter. We were complete amateurs but super enthusiastic, pic related are our packs. This was in early February, a pretty good time to hike during the day since we both like the cold and there weren't many hikers. We went at a steady pace but stopped several times to drink and I took photos.
We got to the shelter about an hour before sundown and we managed to get a nice fire going and we ate the canned beans and tuna that I packed. Some assholes left a bunch of junk in the shelter but we didn't think much of it as we were busy scavenging firewood. 90 minutes after sunset, we went to sleep but barely slept because it was our first time sleeping outdoors.
I woke up at three to my bud sitting by the fire because he couldn't sleep. It was getting extremely cold out and we were both full of energy so we decided to pack our shit and hike back to the Len Foote Hike Inn. I was the only one who brought a headlamp so my friend had to walk behind me in the dark. Although it was a little spooky it was one of the most comfy treks I've ever done, seeing the moon over the Appalachians and the distant lights of civilization was an experience.
After about an hour of hiking in the dark we arrived at the inn and we set up our sleeping bags on the chairs they had outdoors and we tried to get some shut eye. We almost froze as the temperature dipped below freezing and I hadn't packed the thermal sleeping bags so we went in the game room which was thankfully unlocked. We got some sleep before being woken up by a lady who entered the game room and lit a fire in the wood stove without saying a word. It was like an angel had come to give us warmth.
1/2
