Day 2, March 26 - Georgia to Maine 2026

Starting mile 8.1

Got up and moving by about 7:30 this morning to a nice 52 degrees. I heard a little bit of rustling down below in the shelter but I’m not sure if anyone else was really moving yet. Shortly after starting I was greeted with this wonderful sunrise. I always love getting going early enough in the morning to catch the sunrise. I saw the US Army Rangers drive by. I’m not sure if they were heading out

After hiking about three miles, I decided to have my breakfast before heading up Sassafras Mountain. While there I saw the US Army Rangers drive by. I’m not sure if they were heading out to play in the woods or heading out. The Rangers use the mountains all along the Georgia section of the trail.

When I was getting ready to climb Sassafras I heard a couple of guys coming down so I waited for them. Jim and Chad, from Cleveland, came on down the mountain and I figured I’d join them. We ended up hiking the rest of the day together. The climb up Sassafras Mountain was made so much better by having a couple of people to talk to. It makes you forget about the 400 ft of elevation gain.

We continued along the trail for another 5 miles to Gooch Gap. I was going to continue on for a little further because I had only done 8.9 miles but Jim and Chad brought me great news, there was going to be Trail Magic at Gooch Gap later that day. So I decided to do what all thru hikers would do and waited around until the free food showed up.

The food showed up around 4:30 and by that time there were about 20 sitting around waiting. Everyone had a great time talking about where they’re from, how much experience they have and why they’re hiking the AT. I had the special honor of meeting Miss Janet who is a bit of a legend in the thru hiking community.

Like all thru hikers do, everyone started to disappear around 7:30 and they were all asleep by 8:30. It wasn’t the day I planned on hiking but it was a wonderful day on the trail.

Chris

Ending mile 17.0

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